Aquatic plant was missed during survey, spotted by duck hunter

Sam Rayburn catches case of giant salvinia

A savvy duck hunter pointed state officials to 100 acres of giant salvinia found Oct. 13 in the Angelina River north of Sam Rayburn Reservoir.

Acting with the help of a waterfowl hunter, state personnel investigated and identified the plants in a backwater area called Estes Lake about 10 miles upstream from Marion Ferry and Kingtown, in Nacogdoches County. An annual vegetation survey conducted by airplane last month did not detect the infestation because the survey does not include the Angelina River above Kingtown.

The infestation had apparently been contained by shallow water and dense brush perhaps for a year or more. Low water levels help contain the infestation but recent rains may force the infestation south towards the main portion of the reservoir. Additional surveys are being conducted to define the southern extent of the infestation and determine if the infestation has reached the river channel.

Giant salvinia is highly mobile. The Five Fingers boat ramp on Sam Rayburn recently dodged an introduction of giant salvinia for the second time this year. Thanks to the vigilance of a concerned angler and his willingness to help, the area around the boat ramp was cleaned of all visible salvinia before it could float away and colonize new areas.

A second infestation of giant salvinia was found on Lake O’ the Pines in September. The infestation at the Overlook Park boat ramp reached about 1 acre in size before being detected. The area was quickly contained by oil-spill booms.

Giant salvinia, the most problematic aquatic plant in Texas, has been present in Texas over 10 years. Giant salvinia was first discovered on Toledo Bend in 1998 and before long reached epidemic proportions. A small but persistent infestation remains behind containment booms in Coleman Creek on Sam Rayburn while a highly mobile population seems determined to evade all control efforts on B.A Steinhagen. The fate of Caddo Lake is, at best, uncertain because of the expansion of giant salvinia.

— Texas Parks and Wildlife report

Source: Lonestar Outdoor News, Volume 6, Issue 5, Page 4.
http://www.lsonews.com/images/stories/issues/oct2309.pdf