Report a Sighting
- Water Hyacinth is an attractive floating aquatic plant with shiny green leaves and delicate lavender flowers.
- It was introduced into the Delta from South America more than 100 years ago.
- This extremely prolific aquatic invasive plant can double in size every ten days in hot weather and can quickly become a dense floating mat of vegetation up to six feet thick.
- The mats can travel with river currents and with tidal movement.
- Mats can also attach to structures in the water, limiting access to boats and reducing swimming areas.
- Water Hyacinth FAQ: 2015 Season
- The species is too well established in the Delta region, eradication is impossible.
- There is no known eradication method in the world for water hyacinth. Therefore, DBW operates a control program as opposed to an eradication program.
- DBW has the authority to cooperate with other state, local and federal agencies in controlling water hyacinth in the Delta region, its tributaries and the Suisun Marsh.
- Surveys are conducted in the Delta to determine where water hyacinth is located and which areas are in most need of treatment. Surveys are also conducted to determine what agricultural crops are growing near treatment sites.
- DBW works with the US Department of Agriculture to obtain the required approvals for conducting the Water Hyacinth Control Program from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service (part of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). These two approvals are required by the Endangered Species Act.
- A third approval, a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit is required by the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board.
- The approval process determines if herbicide usage may affect any of the threatened, endangered or sensitive species, and critical habitats. Effects to humans, agricultural areas or potable water intakes are also reviewed.
- Approvals place restrictions on where DBW can treat the plants, when and where the program can start herbicide treatments (this varies throughout the Delta region), and an extensive water monitoring program. Extensive water quality sampling is conducted at treatments sites throughout the season to ensure herbicide levels stay within the required limits.
- Water hyacinth is chemically treated with glyphosate or 2,4-D. Herbicides are registered for aquatic use with California Environmental Protection Agency and the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. The herbicides are contact herbicides in liquid form, sprayed directly onto the water hyacinth.
- Initial symptoms of glyphosate treatment on water hyacinth do not appear for two weeks or more. Visible treatment symptoms are gradual wilting and yellowing of the plant, advancing to browning of vegetation and eventual decay. It may take two months for herbicide effectiveness to be clearly visible.
- Funding for water hyacinth treatment comes from the Harbors and Watercraft Revolving Fund, which receives revenues from boaters’ registration fees and gas taxes.
- If you sight water hyacinth, please call the Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) at (888) 326-2822 or send an e-mail to firstname.lastname@example.org. Include in your message the address or nearest landmark of the sighting. If possible, take photographs of the plant.
California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways is conducting herbicide treatments to control water hyacinth in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Region.
The following information is subject to change based on governmental requirements, weather conditions, plant growth, waterway traffic, fish presence surveys and other conditions.
Area 2-4: Mar. 4th, 2015 - Nov. 30, 2015
Area 1: June 1, 2015 - Nov. 30, 2015
Selected areas of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Region. See map for treatment sites.
Herbicides Being Used
Glyphosate or 2,4-D
(Herbicides are registered for aquatic use with California Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Pesticide Regulation.)
- Water Hyacinth FAQ: 2015 Season
Water Hyacinth Nursery Site Maps:
Overview Map North Delta Central Delta South Delta
- Aquatic weeds currently treated by DBW in the Delta
- Aquatic weeds identified as potential problems by DBW in the Delta
- National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Concurrence Letter for WHCP
- US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Biological Opinion for WHCP
- Annual Reports