| Pondweed of the Potamogeton genus is an invasive | | | | be a very effective method of control, but will cause |
| and widespread species of aquatic weed. A fast | | | | problems with other more desirable submerged pond |
| growing and hardy species, Pondweed can cause | | | | plants. This method can quickly become cost |
| major problems in large and small bodies of water. | | | | prohibitive in larger bodies of water. |
| Pondweed has the ability to survive low temperatures | | | | In midsized ponds, depth manipulation can be employed |
| and in low light environments. It can also begin | | | | during the colder months, subjecting the pondweed to |
| development under the ice, giving Pondweed a | | | | frost, which will kill the plant, preventing a further |
| headstart on other ornamental plants. Its early growth, | | | | infestation during the next season. Dredging can |
| combined with its hardy disposition gives this aquatic | | | | increase the depth, simulating the effects of adding |
| weed a leg up on the competition. There are several | | | | dye to the water. This prevents the full spectrum of |
| species of Pondweed, all with similar characteristics, | | | | the sun from reaching the plant. |
| both strengths and weaknesses. | | | | As with some other aquatic weeds, Biological control |
| In smaller ponds, mechanical removal can be very | | | | can be employed in the form of Grass Carp. Grass |
| effective. Using standard aquarium netting or seine, | | | | Carp can be an effective long-term solution for the |
| pondweed can be safely removed. Although there is a | | | | Pondweed problem. They have an appetite for |
| chance for repopulation during removal, the risk is less | | | | Pondweed, and will selectively feed upon it over other |
| than with other aquatic weeds. In larger bodies of | | | | similar plants. Grass Carp can successfully manage |
| water, mechanical removal can prove difficult. | | | | pondweed populations in any size pond. Care should |
| There are several effective herbicides that can quickly | | | | be taken before adding non-native species, as local |
| eradicate this nuisance weed. As with all herbicides, | | | | laws vary by municipality. Non fertile specimens are |
| care should be taken to choose one that will be safe | | | | available to comply with local legislature. |
| for the other livestock. A safer method would be with | | | | Pondweed can be a very worthy adversary. They |
| one of the many aquatic dye products commonly | | | | are more tolerant of uncomfortable conditions than |
| available in the pond trade. They work by preventing | | | | most weeds, but with careful planning, they can be |
| the Pondweed from attaining a sufficient level of light, | | | | successfully eradicated. |
| leading to a systematic population decrease. This can | | | | |