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On March 18th 2016, public reports of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) were made to a California Fish and Wildlife Officer who then reported this information to Russ Engel from the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD) on March 22nd, 2016. Samples were collected and visual sighting confirmed on the 22nd. Several small patches were observed growing in the upper end of Ferguson Lake. Photographs and samples were taken at the following coordinates; N 32° 59.209′ W114° 30.524′ and N 32° 58.808′ W 114° 30.231′.
On March 24th, personnel from AGFD and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), utilizing two boats, removed approximately 13 gallons (a trash bag full) of water hyacinth from Ferguson Lake. The following day, the same personnel removed approximately another trash bag full of hyacinth from the lake. According to Russ Engel (AGFD) "Most of the hyacinth was located in two concentrated areas but small bunches were found along about a two-mile stretch of shoreline on the eastern side of Ferguson Lake".
Mr. Engel reports the extent of hyacinth in Ferguson Lake according to the following GPS coordinates:
N 32° 59.512′ W 114° 30.354′ Approximate northern extent
N 32° 59.209′ W 114° 30.524′ Area of concentrated plants
N 32° 58.808′ W 114° 30.231′ Another area of concentrated plants
N 32° 58.745′ W 114° 30.108′ Approximate southern extent
While AGFD personnel were removing water hyacinth, they found another floating aquatic plant that appears to be water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes). Water lettuce is also an invasive aquatic species.
The invasive potential of both water hyacinth and water lettuce is very high. This is especially true as water temperatures rise and plants begin to sexually reproduce. A multi-agency approach to quickly eradicate both species is underway.
More information on water hyacinth and water lettuce from the University of Florida, Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants:
Photos courtesy of Russ Engel, AGFD
General
- Management of invasive species in inland waters: technology development and international cooperation. Wong, et al., 2017
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