Howdy All. We have a 2 acre pond in Grimes County, Texas. It is only a few years old and we have had it for one year. It varies in depth from shallow to 12' deep along an old creek bottom. It spent most of 2020 very low due to limited rainfall and leaky bottom. We put down a bunch of sodium bentonite last summer in the areas the pond builder got too deep. That along with ample rainfall in 2021 has brought the pond to a very nice place. Previous owner stocked with with largemouth bass, so it's a fun pond.
That said, we did not have much in the way of vegetation last year, but this year we have a bumper crop. Water primrose I think. (see photos) I don't mind the vegetation along the banks, but it is expanding into every area that is less than chest high water, which is a large area of the pond.
First question, am I correct in my plant ID?
Second question, can this be "managed"? Like keep it tight to the banks but don't allow it to take over?
I have been reading about glyphosate with an aquatic surfactant as a possible solution. TPWD says mechanical control is limited in effectiveness, but willing to try.
I have the same water primrose but it hasn't moved as far from shore as yours. Mine seems to stay in shallow water and hasn't circled the entire pond. I find it to be a super habitat for small fish and invertebrates. If I wanted to control it I would be reluctant to use mechanical control as fragments will root.
Anything that is above the surface that gets coated by the chemical will suffer. Looking at those pics you posted I would say you could really set the infestation back. jim
