Anyone have any success in treating ponds with waterstargrass? I've tried working with the local folks but thus far, have not had any luck in getting this under control.

That plant and Wild Celery are both tough to smack down and are very similar. You can use Hydrothol 191 liquid 3-4 gallons per acre foot or 150# per acre foot of Hydrothol 191 Granular. Nothing else will work and these two herbicides will give you minimal control. I'm not sure if cutting it will spread it. I don't think so but get a second opinion.

What's the cost of treating a pond that is 5 acres with an average depth of 6 feet using the methods described above?

Thats 30 acre feet!!! Are you actually treating that much?? If you used Hydrothol you would probably use about 3-4 gallons per acre foot but would not recommend you using liquid if you are not licensed. Try some granular at 150# per acre foot. That may run you around $500-600 per acre foot retail. You may want to get a professional in there to do the job right. You can also use Aquathol K at 2.5 gallons per acre foot but I am not sure on the results. Both Aquathol K and Hydrothol 191 liquid or granular have Stargrass on their labels but have heard Hydrothol works better. Make sure its stargrass because if its not you will have an easier time treating the problem. If you have a photo post it here.
http://www.cerexagri.com/aquatic/hydrothol.asp

I've had the local expert in here several times for identification and treatment and he has not had success in knocking the stuff down. I believe he tried the Aquathol K but told me that he was not happy with the results and wouldn't waste the money again. The last I heard, he was waiting on some feedback from Aquatic Control out of Seymour on some test ponds that they had.

The stuff has almost taken over the pond. In fact, the last time he was out here, he had trouble even getting his outboard through things to perform the treatment.

One option we have discussed is trying to treat earlier before the plants reach maturity. I had tried to get him out early in the season but we could not get our schedules aligned.

The way things are at the moment, we probably have better than 80% coverage where as the biologists say the ideal is in the range of 20% for pond vegetation.

Brad you were just blessed with a plant that is difficult to control when it comes into an environment that helps it thrive. I know every herbicide on the market and know that most treatments will have minimal results. Have him hit it with Hydrothol. Fish kills may happen but you can also restock later in the year. Many of our customers in Michigan use a product called Nautique for Wild Celery and all it does is knock it down out of the way for a month or so. Most of those treatments are after the plant flowers in July. I think I know your applicator if he is local to you.

Now that you mention the Nautique, that is something else he and I have spoken of. It has been two years since the last treatment so I can't honestly remember what combination of chemicals he used. The pond in question is extremely clear so there is light transmission to the bottom over just about the entire area. I've asked him about the water colorants to decrease the light transmission but he did not speak favorably about them.

About the only other solution I know of would be to treat the pond using biological control. That is, overstock with Grass Carp and then remove as necessary once they have done what they are intended to do. Granted, this isn't to say that once they Grass Carp are removed that there won't be another re-growth of plants but I'm kind of running out of options.

As for the applicator, he's probably the most wide used in the Terre Haute area.

Try the Grass Carp method. I have never been a big fan of using them but in your case I'd try it. I know most Triploids do not enjoy eating bushy plants so this one may work good. Staining your water couldn't hurt either and may suppress the plant growth. I'm not sure who deals with fish anymore. May be able to get them through the DNR hatcheries. Good luck!

My brother-in-law went the carp way and it has worked out well so far.He got his from VanHinkle fishery not sure where they are at in Indiana.They usually set up at the local TSC and rural king stores on saturday's.But the grass carp he has to deliver and papers have to be signed that you will not transfer anywhere else.He told them after the carp had done their job go out one sunny day and sprinkle grass clippings from your lawn on the water and when they came up to eat you shoot them with a 22.WV

I've got the go ahead to get pricing and information on the grass carp so that is probably what we'll do this spring/summer. There are several hatcheries that come to the Terre Haute area but they do have to personally deliver the fish to your pond.

WV: Do you know what your brother-in-law used as a stocking rate (how many fish per surface acre)?

He has a very small pond and they put 3 grass carp in it.It is amasing how quick them things go to work and how quick they grow.WV

Heres some suppliers. http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/fish/fishing/carp.htm


State says if you want to take out all of your aquatic plants use 30 triploids 8-12 inch long per acre of vegetation in which you have 80% of your pond covered. Regular stocking rates is 15 per acre. If they don't start helping your pond you can always stock more and then use your bowfishing equipment later when they get bigger.

It will poop up your water and be careful when using copper from now on. I'd stick to an algaecide like Cutrine. These fish are not so tolerant of copper products.