Joint Agency Plan, Aquatic Plant Management on Guntersville Reservoir
Abstract
This report concerns the development of a 5-year comprehensive plan for managing problem aquatic plant populations in Guntersville Reservoir, located in northeastern Alabama. This project includes the enhancement of routine operational activities, demonstrations of current proven management technologies, and applied research investigations. The project includes the identification and quantification of aquatic plant effects. Historically, the most significant aquatic plant infestations in the Tennessee Valley Authority system have occurred in Gunstersville Reservoir. Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata Royle), a nonnative species, is considered capable of growing at depths up to 20 ft in Guntersville, especially during years of relatively clear water. The area of shallow water suitable for defense colonization with submersed macrophytes is projected to be about 30,000 acres. The availability of a large uncolonized vacant niche indicates that exotic species have not yet exploited all available habitats and, in the absence of control measures, can be expected to continually expand until all the niche are filled thereby affecting wildlife habitats, recreational activities, mosquito populations, water storage capacity, and water quality. Both beneficial aspects and use conflicts exist at Guntersville Reservoir as a result of the extensive colonizations and increasing diversity of submersed aquatic plants.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA238880
Entities
People
- A. L. Bates
- C. T. Swor
- J. L. Decell
Organizations
- Tennessee Valley Authority