Keeping Water Hyacinth in Check

Water hyacinth may sound pretty, but when it takes over waterways it can cause ugly problems. 

 A year ago, staff from The Nature Conservancy met with South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Fish and Wildlife to address out-of-control water hyacinth in Georgetown County. Over the years, individual landowners had tried to get rid of this invasive plant. But no one had ever put together a county-wide plan. These three partners agreed to share resources and come up with a comprehensive approach.

 Their plan included a survey of waterways in the county to assess problem areas; they documented 190 acres of water hyacinth. The partners also held workshops for private landowners. From September to November last year, The Nature Conservancy oversaw the application of herbicides to water hyacinth infestations on private properties. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources worked on public waterways.

 Colette Degarady, a conservation ecologist with The Nature Conservancy, says the project has been success: “Water hyacinth may not be eradicated from Georgetown County, but there is no doubt that its numbers have been reduced. By getting to know landowners and their concerns, we were able to get their support. Many plan to continue herbicide treatment to get rid of water hyacinth and other aquatic invasives.” DeGarady also says that all three partners will carry the program forward, monitoring waterways and applying treatments when resources will allow.