Nuisance Weed & Algae ID Guide

Nuisance Algae

Algae can become a problem in ponds and lakes by prohibiting recreation, reducing quality wildlife habitat and even become toxic to animals and people in extreme cases.

Planktonic and Filamentous Algae blooms should be monitored and controlled.  Runoff and nutrient loading contributes to these algae blooms and a management plan should be in place to minimize nutrient loading. 

 

Planktonic Alage
Floating Filamentous Algae
Underwater Filamentous Algae
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Invasive Phragmites and Nuisance Cattails

Emergent vegetation at the waters edge of ponds and lakes can be very beneficial to the aquatic ecosystem but there are certain species that should be monitored and erradicated.  

Phragmites is an invasive exotic to Wisconsin.  Control is necessary and Phragmites should be eliminated whenever possible.

Cattails should be monitored and controlled.  Cattails are good plants for nutrient uptake but can spread rapidly to becoming a problem if not controlled.

 

 

Phragmites
Nuisance Cattail Growth
Nuisance Cattail Growth
Invasive Phragmites
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Invasive and Nuisance Pondweeds

Some species of pondweed are a threat to ponds and lakes.

Curlyleaf Pondweed is an exotic invasive that can outcompete native plants causing dense monocultures.  Curlyleaf Pondweed should be identified and eliminated.  

Sago Pondweed is a native aquatic plant in Wisconsin.  However, this plant can become a problem in smaller water bodies.  Sago Pondweed should be monitored and may need to be controlled.

Curly Leaf Pond Weed
Curly Leaf Pond Weed
Sago Pond Weed
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Floating Duckweed and Watermeal

Duckweed and Watermeal grow rapidly.  In a matter of a few days, they can cover the entire water surface.  

Duckweed and Watermeal both block sunlight from reaching other valuable aquatic plants and algae.  This can cause an unbalanced aquatic environment in which duckweed and/or watermeal thrive with little to no competition.  Both of these plants can be difficult to control and nutrient loading can accelerate growth.

 Effective control is possible but should be handled by an experienced Biologist.

Duckweed
Watermeal
Duckweed and Watermeal on Water Surface
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Eurasian Watermilfoil

This plant is an exotic invasive aquatic plant species in Wisconsin.  It should be identified and controlled to elimination.  It can be found in nearly 400 Wisconsin lakes.

Eurasian Watermilfoil can form large dense mats of vegetation preventing light penetration to native aquatic plants and impede water traffic.

Eurasian Watermilfoil is winter hardy and can overwinter in frozen lakes and ponds in the northern states and Canada.

 

Spreads very easy since fragments of plant can re-root and grow. Do not try to remove by raking.  Hand pulling can be an effective removal strategy for small populations.

Aquatic herbicides such as 2,4-D, Fluridone, Endothall or Diquat can be effective to control Eurasian Watermilfoil.

Eurasian Watermilfoil
Eurasian Watermilfoil
Eurasian Watermilfoil
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WATER GARDENS

Lake