Work to control one of the country’s worst aquatic weeds is due to get underway at Lake Dunstan next week.
The efforts to manage lagarosiphon at the popular Otago lake are part of Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand’s (LINZ) annual biosecurity programme.
LINZ Biosecurity Manager Tracey Burton says divers will be hand cutting the weed in the lake, with particular attention paid to boat ramps and swimming areas.
“This work will build on efforts late last year to make sure lake users can enjoy the lake over the summer period.
“Lagarosiphon can take over lakes, choke waterways, smother native aquatic plants and impact how we use our lakes so it’s important we keep it in check and prevent it from spreading to other areas. “
The control work is expected to take around two weeks and be finished late February.
Burton says lake users can also play a part in helping stop the spread of aquatic weeds by checking, cleaning and drying all gear.
“We must be more vigilant than ever in our inspections. While Lake Dunstan is already affected by lagarosiphon, we need to protect it from other freshwater pests, such as New Zealand’s worst submerged weed, hornwort, and other pests like the gold clam currently only in the North Island”.

Divers will begin efforts to control the aquatic weed, lagarosiphon, in Lake Dunstan next week. Image credit: NIWA.
LINZ is working closely with a number of groups, mana whenua, and the community to help stop the spread of lagarosiphon in the region. This includes the Lake Dunstan, Lake Wānaka and Lake Whakatipu Aquatic Weed Management Committees, which are led by LINZ.
The control work will be carried out by LINZ biosecurity delivery partners Boffa Miskell Limited.
The work is funded by LINZ, Contact Energy and Otago Regional Council.
To find out more about LINZ biosecurity control work, including current and upcoming lake weed control work, visit: Biosecurity and biodiversity
Media contact
Email: media@linz.govt.nz