Title: Aquatic Weed Management in Waterways and Dams
Aquatic plants serve a variety of uses in a water system, some of which are vital to the overall health of the aquatic environment. There are numerous aquatic plants that grow in farm dams, streams and waterways and fortunately most are rarely a problem. However, when water becomes rich in nutrients aquatic plants can grow vigorously to a point where they become a nuisance or are considered a weed.
An assessment of the plant’s ecology and the problem it poses are necessary before taking any action, to ensure that the most cost-effective and environmentally sound control techniques are used.
When managing the problem several factors need to be considered. These include the source of the plant, the reason it poses a problem, the use made of the waterway (e.g. dam supplying irrigation or stock water), the management options available, and ongoing costs and benefits.
It may be possible to reduce or eliminate an aquatic weed through well planned management strategies, such as diverting inflow of nutrients. The weed problem may also be seasonal and naturally fluctuate and disappear over time. Often the best option for controlling aquatic plants is to take necessary actions to prevent the problem from occurring in the first place.
