Sulvenia Molesta

[Stan Wright]

Looks like Texas is having Sulvenia Molesta problem. Hope they get it under control before it does to them like it did to Lake Wilson. Can you imagine Lake Fork being closed?

Sulvenia Molesta doubles in area in 5 to 7 days. The stuff is so thick you can't run a boat through it.... not even at full power. The fine, hairlike roots get sucked up into the motor and clogs everything. Lake Wilson looked like a golf course.

For those of you where not here when the lake was closed.... It took almost a year and over one million dollars to clean up the lake.
They would crag the stuff over to the side and scoop it out. The shoreline was sprayed with Roundup.

Check out these.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-cgiJuoM4Jo&NR=1
Very Nasty Stuff.

[roadwarriorsvt]

That is what killed most of the lake's bluegill population.

[OO7:BASSINASSASSIN]

I liked fishing that stuff. Caught a lot of tucs around that floating weed. To bad there isn't anything to keep it under control. I think it would benefit the bass and pongee because they are ambush predators and do well in low light. The bass fishing might be better with more types of vegetation in the lake. On the other hand they seem to be doing better when the water was low and less cover.

[Ken]

I liked fishing that stuff. Caught a lot of tucs around that floating weed. To bad there isn't anything to keep it under control. I think it would benefit the bass and pongee because they are ambush predators and do well in low light. The bass fishing might be better with more types of vegetation in the lake. On the other hand they seem to be doing better when the water was low and less cover.

Just add lily pads The lake is deep...so you'll just find the lily along the shorelines. I don't think it'll ever get out of hand as I've never seen lilies grow in waters over 10 feet deep. Water more than 5 feet deep is too deep most of the time.

But with such fluctuating water level, I doubt the lilies can actually take hold. Which is too bad...

[OO7:BASSINASSASSIN]

I agree Ken. I think lily pads would be great for lake wilson, especially for tucs.

[Stan Wright]

Found some more pictures of the sulvenia molesta....
This is standing on the dock where Leon rented the boats behind Kemoo Farm.

Looking toward the dam.




Looking to the right toward the main basin.



The two boats with the boom pulling the floating sulvenis molesta
back to the boat ramp.

[roadwarriorsvt]

I do understand that it grows VERY rapidly, but it looks like the State's typical response. Wait until its too late rather than nip it in the bud. Water lilys would be great except for the drastic fluctuating water lever....