Levee Vegetation Management

Provide chemical treatment of emergent and floating aquatic plants near 6 water control structures (WCS) and to control woody vegetation near the same structures. The goal is to maintain open water in the immediate vicinity of the structures and to prevent woody vegetation from becoming established near the structures. Water control structures are scattered along a 6.5 mile levee loop. Floating and emergent aquatic vegetation is expanding over the open water patches. The dominant species is frogsbit (Limnobium spongia), but other species occur as well, including water hyacinth. Treatment of willow, and primrose-willow on levee banks or within the designated open water treatment areas may be needed. Treat Cuban bulrush (Cyperus blepharoleptos) within a 150 foot buffer zone along the interior of the levee. This is an initial treatment and Cuban Bulrush population is expected to be scattered in patches throughout the area with heaviest concentrations along the northern rim opposite the 72 acre area that was treated in 2022. Collect GPS points on areas of heavy infestation within the treatment area