SMLA Public Statement regarding Hydrilla Management for 2026 and Beyond

The following statement was submitted to the TLAC Board of Directors by Keri Green, SMLA representative to the TLAC board and SMLA Vice President and Chair, Lake Quality Council.

Since 1969, the Smith Mountain Lake Association (SMLA) has served as the steward of Smith Mountain Lake (SML) with a mission to protect the water of SML and promote safe recreation. SMLA has long assisted the Tri-County Lakes Administrative Commission (TLAC) with facts, data and unbiased information to assist TLAC in making informed, science-based decisions regarding lake regulations, restrictions and best practices. Many of our members serve as citizen representatives to TLAC committees. I am appointed to the TLAC Board as the SMLA representative, and as Vice President of the SMLA Board of Directors, I am presenting this statement which was approved by the full Board at our March 17th meeting.

SMLA has actively supported TLAC in monitoring and managing invasive species at the lake. We provide educational information to our members and the general public, collect weed reports, organize annual dive surveys and provide other technical advice. We appreciate the public process TLAC has utilized to solicit information and perspectives on options for remediation of hydrilla in SML. Gathering input from stakeholders is always critical to fully understanding and appropriately responding to any issue that affects the lake.

Based on our understanding of TLAC’s process and our review of applicable scientific literature, we believe there are two viable options for hydrilla remediation: (1) herbicides and (2) stocking of sterile grass carp. Combinations of these options should be considered. SMLA does not support large scale mechanical harvesting of hydrilla given the logistical and financial challenges as well as limited effectiveness of this methodology. In fact, mechanical harvesting has been demonstrated to spread hydrilla fragments resulting in increased rather than reduced hydrilla infestation.

Regarding herbicide options, they can be costly, are localized in nature, and under the current circumstances, place the burden on individual landowners to obtain authorization, hire a licensed applicator and pay for the treatment. We recommend approved herbicides be limited to those with minimal impacts on the aquatic environment. Based on our preliminary research, Fluridone appears to be the best candidate. However, it and others should be investigated to obtain realistic cost estimates for potential localized application in areas with high density of hydrilla.

SMLA recommends that TLAC work with Appalachian Power Company (APCO) to see if TLAC can obtain a blanket permit under which it could authorize local landowners to procure herbicide treatment subject to a rigorous set of standards (e.g., use of a certified applicator, a limit on number of applications and total volume). This would reduce the burden on the individual landowner and facilitate a more coordinated approach.

Sterile grass carp have been proven to be non-selective voracious grazers and can significantly reduce or eliminate submerged aquatic vegetation, invasive and native alike. The challenge is to determine how many fish to stock and at what intervals to achieve the stated remediation goal of control without eradicating native vegetation. A quantitative estimate of hydrilla in SML has not been determined and without this and other key scientific information, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources’ fisheries biologist for SML has not offered an opinion on the appropriate number of fish to be stocked. TLAC is in the unfortunate position of attempting to set a biological target without data that clearly defines how much hydrilla is in the lake, and without professional guidance.

The complex, dynamic nature of lake environments makes finding the sweet spot between total eradication of submerged aquatic vegetation and having little to no impact on hydrilla an elusive goal. As a result, the best approach to implement is an adaptive one. If the TLAC Board decides that stocking sterile grass carp alone or in combination with other tools is the most effective option to achieve its hydrilla remediation goals, we recommend it be done as a scientific investigation designed to provide information that is currently lacking. Specifically, we recommend a modest stocking level in 2026, with targeted monitoring to determine the impact of these fish on hydrilla in SML. This survey must also quantify the amount of hydrilla in the lake. Ideally this scientific, investigative plan should also provide for pre-determined triggers which would prompt additional action whether that be additional stocking or use of another tool such as the localized application of herbicides. If we cannot measure how well the fish are doing their job, the next steps become difficult to determine.

Furthermore, the SMLA Board of Directors recommends a more rigorous professional approach to monitoring how well the fish are accomplishing control. Volunteers alone cannot effectively provide monitoring data to allow for appropriate future stocking recommendations. Hydrilla is back in the lake and anticipated to spread quickly. Hydrilla management will likely always be an issue for TLAC. The goal of control, without eradication of native vegetation, is a very sensitive balance, and should not be assumed to be easy, because it will not be. But if we do not track the extent of the hydrilla already in the lake, and do not appropriately monitor the efficacy of any fish that are stocked, we will have no idea of progress toward the goal. Additionally, SMLA requests the TLAC Board increase how much funding is being allocated for the professional study. Decisions made by the TLAC Board affect all users of the lake, and only through a science based approach to managing this wonderful shared resource will we be successful.