Pond Boss Forums AQUATIC VEGETATION Identifying plants Need some help with this please

My aunts pond has this around the whole shallow areas. I have raked almost all out, removed easily with a rake. But it has been alot of work. She has her pond treated by a service but obviously havent done anything to kill this. I remember a few years ago having to scrape this stuff out but last few years dont think it was there. I only have a couple pics of it, I will post this one to see if anyone can identify. Let me know if any more details can help.

I have seen two things that look like that in your picture. Your picture could be of better quality and a clearer image. Most common is Elodea canadensis and the less common aquatic moss genus Fontinalis. I have seen both in MI. There are significant structural differences between the two plants.
Elodea 'water weed' appears as a larger version of aquatic moss.
http://www.aquaticbiologists.com/algae--weed-id-guide/submerged-weeds/elodea-(canadian-water-weed)
http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/node/151

Aquatic moss Fontinalis
http://www.aquamoss.net/Willow-Moss/Willow-Moss.htm
video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9m7MhKZvFo8

Thanks for the reply Bill. I will try to get a better picture tomorrow, I have pulled most out already and the pic I took was after a day drying. I can find a few pieces yet in the water and will attempt to get a closer up with my camera not my phone. It doesnt appear to be attached, if it is pulls very easily. It was very thick in some spots and was all I could do to pull the loaded rake. Of course once out of the water and dry the weight is all but gone. I will lay a wet piece against something light colored to show more detail.

OK hopefully this will be a better replication of the weed...

I got this off the site Bill C. provided. It might be helpful as it shows the leaf arrangement and number per segment of each of the possible species.

http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu/images/line_drawings/hydcom2.jpg

Brian's plant is Elodea canadensis. A common plant in MI ponds and lakes. Grass carp will eat it well, however GC are not legal in MI. If you want to use chemicals consider herbicides for it such as Weedtrine D (a dilute type or version), stronger versions = Reward, Harvester, Tsunami DQ, etc. It burns down those weeds quickly and the chemical decomposes in the pond pretty fast. Read the label for instructions.

I prefer the natural control methods as often as possible.

Bill & Bill, thanks for narrowing it down...looks like the better picture was helpful this time. I will tell the folks that treat my aunts pond what the consensus for identification is and let them figure out the best treatment. I would have thought a pond treatment company would be able to figure out what it is but maybe it's too much work...ugh. Again much appreciated for the assistance...

Bill C,

Would crawfish eat this stuff and help control it once they get it under control with a herbicide?

Got my doubts Bill when I was pulling this crap out with a rake numerous crayfish appeared from it and crawled back into the water..

Or are crawfish different from crayfish??

Crayfish crawfish ( potato pototo) same thing. Crayfish if abundant will eat it to the point of eliminating it but it takes lots of crayfish and basically no bass present so crayfish are very abundant.