Invasive Species On Lay Lake
Invasive species can cause a variety of problems in freshwater lakes, including:
- Threaten native species: Invasive species can outcompete native species for resources, which can lead to extinctions.
- Degrade habitats: Invasive species can alter habitats and reduce biodiversity.
- Damage infrastructure: Invasive species can damage infrastructure, such as boat motors.
- Spread disease: Invasive species can spread diseases.
- Degrade water quality: Invasive species can decrease water flows, increase runoff and erosion, and reduce the transportation of nutrients.
- Threaten economies: Invasive species can have adverse impacts on local and basin-wide economies.
Learn more about specific invasive species below.
Learn More About Specific Invasive Species
Information provided by APC Aquatic Resource Mgr, Tim McLean.
McLean is an Auburn University graduate, 2005, with a degree in Fisheries. He is part of Alabama Power’s Aquatic Resource Management Group as the aquatic plant management coordinator.
Water Hyacinth
Water hyacinth is a free-floating plant which is one the challenges of managing this plant. It reproduces from seed and asexual reproduction. The beautiful purple flower that it produces only lasts one day before it dips under water where the seeds are incubated around 20 days before they are released.
Hydrilla
Hydrilla is a rooted submersed plant that can grow to depths of 25 feet or more depending on water clarity. It is an extremely aggressive growing plant with the ability to establish itself on a waterbody permanently from fragmentation, turions, and tubers.
