Lake lowering freezes invasive plants

Special to the Courier

The recent deep freeze throughout South Central Texas might have done some good after all.
The night of Tuesday, Feb. 1, work crews with the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority lowered the levels of Lake Gonzales (H-4) and Lake Wood (H-5) approximately one foot to control invasive water hyacinths on those lakes.
GBRA officials are employing a natural and less expensive method than chemical treatments to kill off some of the plants by allowing nature to freeze the plants' root systems. "Because water tends to protect the root ball of the plants from freezing, lowering the lake levels will expose the root systems to the freeze, killing the hyacinth," explained Debbie Magin, GBRA director of water quality.
GBRA officials advised anyone using the lakes for recreational purposes during this time to exercise caution. Lower lake levels may expose debris and other potential hazards that are normally underwater.
Questions about the freeze treatment on water hyacinths may be directed to Magin at GBRA 830-379-5822.