Lakeweed control work underway in South Canterbury

Work is underway to manage the invasive aquatic weed lagarosiphon in South Canterbury’s Waitaki hydro lakes. 

Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) is leading the control efforts, which are focused on lakes Benmore and Aviemore.

LINZ Biosecurity Manager Tracey Burton says divers have begun work in Lake Aviemore this week, with monitoring and control activities expected to continue over the coming days.

The team will then move on to Lake Benmore, with work scheduled to be completed by early November.

“Divers will survey the lakebeds and use a range of control methods including hessian matting, hand weeding, and targeted herbicide application,” says Burton. 

“This work is essential to protect the health of these lakes and prevent lagarosiphon from becoming further established in the lake system.”

Burton says lake users also have a role to play in preventing the spread of aquatic weeds by checking, cleaning and drying all gear when moving between sites on the lake or to new waterways.  

“It’s vital we all do our bit to stop the spread of lagarosiphon. If left unchecked it can form dense surface reaching weed beds that take over lakes, choke waterways, smother native plants, and interfere with hydroelectric power generation and recreational activities.”

The control work is being carried out by LINZ biosecurity delivery partner Boffa Miskell Limited and is funded by LINZ, Meridian Energy and Environment Canterbury. 

To find out more about LINZ biosecurity control work, including current and upcoming lake weed control work, visit our Biosecurity and biodiversity section.