Aquatic Plants and Weed Control

Aquatic plants are essential for a well-balanced pond and healthy aquatic ecosystem. They provide many important services such as identified below.

1. oxygenation through photosynthesis
2. food and cover for aquatic animals and wildlife
3. treatment of excess nutrients and other pollutants
4. habitat for beneficial microorganisms
5. shoreline stabilization and erosion prevention
6. shade and temperature control
7. beautification and enhanced land value

On the other hand, too much plant material in and around a stormwater pond can cause significant problems such as sedimentation and filling-in, stagnancy and low oxygen areas, obstructed pipes and outfalls, impediments to maintenance equipment, and overall unsightliness. 

What kinds of plants are concerning you?

ALGAE - planktonic (click here) 
My pond has become very cloudy and green, like pea soup, or has a thin film of bright green or red "scum" floating on the water surface. 

ALGAE - filamentous (click here) 
Filamentous algae form green, "hair-like" strands that grow on the surface of other plants or objects in the water. They do not have roots, leaves or flowers. In large blooms, filamentous algae can break loose and form large floating mats.

SUBMERGED PLANTS (click here) 
Unlike filamentous algae, these plants are rooted into the bottom and have roots, stems and leaves. Some are able to break loose from the bottom and survive floating in the water. These plants are often described as"grass-like" or "moss-like." They grow from the bottom up to the surface and often have flowers below or above the water.

FLOATING PLANTS (click here) 
Floating plants have leaves that lay on the water surface. Some are rooted in the bottom (such as lilypads and lotus) while others are free-floating on the surface (such as duckweed and waterhyacinth).

SHORELINE/EMERGENT PLANTS (click here) 
These are plants that are rooted in very shallow water and at the water's edge. Some are creeping or "vine-like" and can reach out into the pond (such as alligatorweed and waterprimrose) while others grow vertically (such as cattails and rushes).