Fishing, Some Boating Banned at Wallace Lake Due to Invasive Plant

A highly invasive aquatic weed has shown up at Wallace Lake in Berea, and Cleveland Metroparks is trying to stop it in its tracks.

Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata), believed to have come from Africa or Southeast Asia, is often called the "perfect" aquatic weed because of its ability to grow rapidly under just about any conditions.

Unfortunately, it grows so fast that it chokes out all other plants and animals in an affected body of water.

"Researchers in Ohio who have been on the lookout for this plant suggest that Hydrilla is not presently widespread, and aggressive control efforts in Wallace Lake have a good chance of eradicating it and halting it," said Cleveland Metroparks Chief of Natural Resources John Mack.

Wallace Lake is in Mill Stream Run Reservation in Berea.

The herbicide SONARTM is being used to treat Wallace Lake. It is added to the lake at very low concentrations for long periods of time, generally 30 to 60 days.

It will be gradually absorbed by the plant until it is killed.

Swimming will be permitted because there are no restrictions on human ingestion of or contact with SONARTM at the low concentration that will be used at Wallace Lake.

But fishing is prohibited during the treatment period, which will run through Aug. 26. Signs will be posted.

And no watercraft brought in by visitors will be allowed until there is no risk of spreading Hydrilla from Wallace Lake. The restriction is expected to last through September. Metroparks kayaks and paddleboats will continue to be used in the lake.

The treatments will likely need to occur for several years until the Hydrilla has been eradicated.

For more information, call 216-635-3200.