First it was zebra mussels; now it's giant salvinia




Giant salvinia is attacking Texas lakes and rivers. This invasive plant restricts fishing, boating and swimming and causes devastating environmental and economic damage. All it takes is one small piece left on your boat, trailer or gear to infest another lake. Always CLEAN, DRAIN, and DRY before leaving the lake.

Giant salvinia can double in size in less than a week. If left unchecked, it can form mats up to three feet thick that make fishing, boating and swimming nearly impossible. As giant salvinia spreads, it also crowds out native plants that provide food and habitat for local fish and birds.

Giant salvinia is a highly invasive, free-floating aquatic fern. It forms dense mats of folded, quarter-sized green leaves that float on the water surface. The leaves are covered with white, coarse hairs, giving them a velvety appearance.

Texas Parks & Wildlife Department is experimenting with weevils to eradicate salvinia. “What we’re trying to do is raise them in a greenhouse so we can spread them,” said TPWD spokesperson Tom Harvey.

“They reproduce every week, said TPWD fishing tech, Jeff Bowling. “Every eight days or so, they can double in numbers.”

One lake in particular, Sam Rayburn, has about three-and-a-half acres of a salvinia infestation that is so thick there is terrestrial grass growing on the top of the salvinia said Wildlife fishery tech, Mike Gore.

The idea is to have weevils eat the salvinia and then feast on the rest of the salvinia that is spread throughout Texas lakes.

Experts said it takes about 680,000 weevils just to get control over an acre of salvinia. Thirty thousand adult weevils and 90,000 offspring were dumped into a newly discovered affected area on Sam Rayburn Reservoir.

Possession or transportation of giant salvinia in Texas is illegal. Violations are Class C misdemeanors for the first offense, punishable with a fine of up to $500

 

 




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Lake Sam Rayburn Current Weather Alerts

There are no active watches, warnings or advisories.

 

Lake Sam Rayburn Weather Forecast

Saturday

Partly Sunny

Hi: 93

Saturday Night

Mostly Clear

Lo: 73

Sunday

Slight Chance Thunderstorms

Hi: 95

Sunday Night

Partly Cloudy

Lo: 73

Monday

Chance Thunderstorms

Hi: 95

Monday Night

Partly Cloudy

Lo: 73

Tuesday

Chance Thunderstorms

Hi: 93

Tuesday Night

Mostly Clear

Lo: 73


Lake Sam Rayburn Water Level (last 30 days)


Water Level on 7/5: 163.42 (-0.98)



Lake Sam Rayburn

Fishing Report from TPWD (Jul. 2)

GOOD. Water stained; 86 degrees; 0.49 feet above pool. Freshwater is still entering the lake from the river, and water is being released. Topwater bass bite is early in the morning and evening. Bass are deeper on points, drains and humps with crankbaits and Carolina rigs. Crappie are good on brush piles, but many undersized fish and bluegill to sift through. Catfish are good in 18-20 feet of water on cut bait. A few white bass are schooling on main lake points. Cast baits to shade. Report by Captain Lynn Atkinson, Reel Um N Guide Service. Anticipate increased boater traffic this weekend as we celebrate our Nation’s Independence Day.

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