Lake Winterset Hydrilla Treatment, 6/18

BARTOW – Hydrilla treatments will take place June 18 on Lake Winterset in Winter Haven as crews from Polk County’s Parks and Natural Resources plan to spray for the invasive plant.

The herbicide ProcellaCOR will be applied by airboat in a band around the edge of the lake to the inshore areas where hydrilla is present. Hydrilla in this area is encroaching on beneficial native plants and may impact access to navigation. This herbicide is approved for use in lakes by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

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.

Water Use Restrictions:

• Fourteen days for irrigation of landscape vegetation or other forms of non-agricultural irrigation, applies throughout the entire lake.
• Turf may be irrigated immediately after treatment. No restrictions for swimming or fishing.

For questions or concerns regarding this treatment, contact Bryan Finder, Natural Areas coordinator for Polk County Parks and Natural Resources, at (863) 534-7377, or Charlie Thomson, regional biologist for FWC, at (863) 578-1120.