Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Phragmites

I have a friend with a 150 year old pond that has developed a serious phragmite infestation. The pond has a deep layer of silt the weeds seem to thrive in and about 20% of the surface is covered by dense phragmites. What is the best way to permanently remove this invasive species without spending a fortune?

http://aquaplant.tamu.edu/management-options/common-reed/


"Habitat" sounds like your best chemical option, mechanical removal doesn't sound very effective.

With the pond that old, that silted in and with that large of a seed bed in reserve, I would do two things.

Spray with Habitat or one of those glyphosate based herbicides, wait until the plants die, then use an excavator to dig out the roots and silt.

Even by doing that, he will most likely have to re-treat a few times to get them all killed. Many will sprout from the seeds that are left. By removing the silt he is removing a lot of the seed bank.

If he doesn't wait until the plants die, then the herbicide won't have time to translocate to all the roots.

Welcome to PondBoss, fellow westerner! Good to have another person from out here posting.
I see you must be quite a good friend of the pond owner as the time of your post is 2 o'clock in the morning. LOL
Where in Utah is the pond? I'm familiar with the state, having lived in Millville while at USU, SLC, Kamas, and having worked in the Uintas and east of Heber.
Encourage your friend to join the forum and to post as well.
A land manager I know had a similar problem with phragmites in Idaho at the Ft. Boise Wildlife Management Area. If you like, I can pick his brain for solutions.
Roger

Thanks for the advice. The pond is the Lehi Mill Pond which is upstream from Utah Lake. It has some of the same problems with habitat that Utah Lake has. The largest problem for the sport fish in the pond is the abundance of carp. Then the reeds and silt. I have been trying to help remove carp for 3 years and have been fishing there for many years.

I just got my lights wired up on my bowfishing boat and had to try them out last night... thus the crazy post time, and the frustration with the reeds. I spent almost and hour freeing arrows from the phragmite roots. I have read conflicting information elsewhere about cutting/burning stalks of the reeds and the best time to apply herbacide. I do not want to kill the bass or bluegill in the process.