FWC conducts aquatic plant control on Lake Parker

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) conducted aquatic plant control on Lake Parker on May 30, weather permitting. The FWC will treat invasive hydrilla in the Polk County lake in areas where it is encroaching on beneficial native submersed aquatic plants and may impact access to navigation.

The herbicides being used for this treatment are Aquathol, Diquat and ProcellaCOR. These herbicides are approved for use in lakes by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

There will be no restrictions on fishing and swimming in the lake during or after the treatment. However, there will be irrigation restrictions in the following areas:

• Eastern shore of Lake Parker from Centurion Drive south along East Lake Parker Drive to the intersection of Lake Parker Drive and Memorial Boulevard – There will be a three-day restriction on irrigation to turf and landscape ornamentals, three-day restriction on drinking, one day for livestock or domestic animal consumption, and five days for food crops and production landscape ornamentals.
• Southwest cove, which includes the shoreline of Lake Parker from East Bella Vista Street south to U.S. 92 and east to Edgewater Beach Drive –There will be a 14-day restriction on irrigation of landscape or other forms of non-agricultural irrigation. Turf may be irrigated beginning immediately after treatment.

Hydrilla is an invasive aquatic plant easily spread by boats throughout the state’s lakes and rivers. It can clog waterways, making recreational activities difficult or impossible, and competes with beneficial native plants. Managing and treating it is necessary for the health of Florida’s waters and to enable continued recreational boating and other aquatic activities.

The FWC manages hydrilla on a lake-by