Controlling
Aquatic Weeds
in Small Lakes
and Ponds with
Powerful Solutions
from UPI
“Fishermen everywhere know there’s
just something special about fishing
in small lakes and ponds that are
full of healthy fish.”
– Bill Dance
Table of Contents:
FAQS........................................................................................................... 2-3
Smart Solutions from UPI............................................................................... 4
Products:
Aquathol® K Herbicide................................................................................ 5-6
Aquathol® Super K Herbicide..................................................................... 7-8
Current® Herbicide.................................................................................... 9-10
Hydrothol® Granular Algicide and Herbicide.............................................. 11-12
Symmetry® NXG Algicide......................................................................... 13-14
Aquatic Weed and Algae Identification....................................................... 15-22
Growing Trophy Bass................................................................................. 23-24
Useful Information and Formulas................................................................ 25-26
1
Bill Dance is right… for a fisherman,
the privilege of being on a pretty lake or pond
is worth its weight in gold. So, it’s easy to
understand why the sight of a small lake or
pond covered in algae or overgrown with
submerged weeds is downright UGLY!!!!!
UPI provides aquatic herbicides and algicides
that are not toxic to humans or fish when
used according to the label. These products
are designed to interfere with PLANT
processes and therefore have no impact on
fish or humans—which is great news for any
fisherman out to catch trophy fish.
UPI has the solutions you need to keep your small lake
or pond clean, healthy, beautiful and fishable all year long.
2
When should I treat my small lake or pond? When treating for submerged
aquatic weeds, treat early in the spring when the weeds are growing. When treating
algae, begin early in the season and continue as needed. Algae are very prolific, and
thus have several generations in a season, so multiple treatments are common.
How do I choose which product to use? Since every pond and lake has unique
needs, there is no blanket recommendation. Before calling a supplier, we recommend
that you try to determine which plants and algae are present in your pond / lake by:
– Taking a good photo to help identify nuisance species
– Using UPI’s Submerged Weed & Algae Guide in this brochure or on the website
What factors affect weed control most when treating weeds and algae?
The rate is very important, however the exposure time can be just as important. The
rates recommended on the label for “whole lake or pond” treatments assume the water
movement is minimal. This provides an “exposure time” that subjects the weeds to
the herbicide for a period of time, and when combined with the proper rate, results
in excellent weed control.
Whether you do it yourself, or hire a professional,
the UPI experts are here to help! 3
SMART SOLUTIONS FROM UPI
UPI makes a range of aquatic herbicides and algicides
for your unique needs.
The product line for small lakes and ponds includes:
– Aquathol® K Herbicide
– Aquathol® Super K Herbicide
– Current® Herbicide
– Hydrothol® Granular Algicide and Herbicide
– Symmetry® NXG Algicide
UPI’s products are easy to apply, and they make the
EXACT formulation for your particular requirements.
4
AQUATHOL® K HERBICIDE
Aquathol® K is one of the most versatile and effective aquatic herbicides ever developed.
It’s an excellent Aquatic Habitat Management tool that can provide season-long control
of a broad spectrum of submerged weeds often found in small lakes and ponds.
Aquathol K is not toxic to fish or other aquatic organisms when applied according to
the label, and has a relatively short half-life in water. Aquathol K provides aquatic weed
control in a relatively short time, generally 3 to 4 weeks. Aquathol K can provide longterm control, depending upon the application timing and the target species. There are
no restrictions on treated water used for swimming, fishing or irrigation*.
Aquathol® K Quick Facts:Minimal water use restrictions*
*Read and follow label directions.
5
Not toxic to fish
Short half-life in the environment
Excellent product for small lakes and ponds
Can provide season-long control
AQUATHOL® K HERBICIDE
Controls Weeds Including:
– Coontail (Ceratophyllum spp.)
– Horned Pondweed (Zannichellia palustris)
– Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata)
– Milfoil (Myriophyllum spp.)
– Naiad (Najas spp.)
– Pondweeds (Potamogeton spp.)
• American Pondweed (P. nodosus)
• Curlyleaf Pondweed (P. crispus)
• Illinois Pondweed (P. illinoensis)
• Floating-leaf (P. natans)
– Sago Pondweed (Stuckenia pectinata)
– Water Stargrass (Heteranthera spp.)
Typical calculation to determine volume of Aquathol® K needed*:
Surface Area: 1.5 acres; Average Depth: 4 ft.
Rate of Aquathol K needed: 1-2 ppm
Gallons of Aquathol K: 0.6 – 1.3 gal. per acre ft.
1.5 acres x 4 ft. avg. depth x (0.6-1.3 gal per acre ft.) = 3.6 to 7.8 gallons
of Aquathol K required.
6
AQUATHOL® SUPER K HERBICIDE
Aquathol® Super K is a unique, concentrated granular formulation and—like
Aquathol K—is a highly versatile and effective granular aquatic herbicide. It’s an
excellent Aquatic Habitat Management tool that can provide season-long control of a
broad spectrum of submerged weeds often found in small lakes and ponds. Aquathol
Super K is not toxic to fish or other aquatic organisms when applied according to the
label, and has a relatively short half-life in water. Aquathol Super K provides aquatic
weed control in a relatively short time, generally 3 to 4 weeks. Aquathol Super K can
provide long-term control, depending upon the application timing and the target species.
There are no restrictions on treated water used for swimming, fishing or irrigation*.
Aquathol® Super K Quick Facts:Minimal water use restrictions*
*Read and follow label directions.
7
Not toxic to fish
Short half-life in the environment
Can provide season long-control
Excellent product for small lakes and ponds
Easy to apply
AQUATHOL® SUPER K HERBICIDE
Controls Weeds Including:
– Coontail (Ceratophyllum spp.)
– Horned Pondweed (Zannichellia palustris)
– Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata)
– Milfoil (Myriophyllum spp.)
– Naiad (Najas spp.)
– Pondweeds (Potamogeton spp.)
• American Pondweed (P. nodosus)
• Curlyleaf Pondweed (P. crispus)
• Illinois Pondweed (P. illinoensis)
• Floating-leaf (P. natans)
– Sago Pondweed (Stuckenia pectinata)
– Water Stargrass (Heteranthera spp.)
Typical calculation to determine volume of Aquathol® Super K needed*:
Surface Area: 1.5 acres; Average Depth: 4 ft.
Rate of Aquathol Super K needed: 1-2 ppm
Pounds of Aquathol Super K: 4.4 – 8.8 lbs per acre ft.
1.5 acres x 4 ft. avg. depth x (4.4 lbs – 8.8 lbs per acre ft.) = 26 to 52 lbs of
Aquathol Super K required.
8
CURRENT® HERBICIDE
Current® is a copper based, aquatic herbicide that is fast-acting and controls
a broad range of aquatic plants. There are no restrictions on the use of treated
water. It is an excellent choice where quick results are needed, providing control
in 7 to 10 days. Although Current provides fast results, multiple applications may
be required during the growing season.
Current® Quick Facts:
*Read and follow label directions.
9
Fast-acting
No water use restrictions
Not toxic to fish when used according to
the label directions
CURRENT® HERBICIDE
Controls Weeds Including:
Suppresses Weeds Including:
– Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata)
– Brazilian Elodea (Egeria densa)
– Coontail (Ceratophyllum spp.)
– Elodea (Elodea canadensis)
– Naiad (Najas spp.)
– Pondweeds (Potamogeton spp.)
Typical calculation to determine volume of Current® needed*:
Surface Area: 1.5 acres; Average Depth: 4 ft.
Rate of Current needed: 1 ppm
Gallons of Current: 3.3 gal. per acre ft.
1.5 acres x 4 ft. avg. depth x 3.3 gal. per ac. ft. = 19.8 gallons of Current required.
10
HYDROTHOL® GRANULAR ALGICIDE AND HERBICIDE
Hydrothol® Granular provides control of both weeds and algae. Used primarily as
an algicide at rates of 0.05-0.3 ppm, it provides excellent control of a broad spectrum
of algae including planktonic, filamentous and branched algae. It works relatively
quickly, providing algae control in a few days. There are no restrictions on treated water
used for swimming, fishing or irrigation*.
Typical calculation to determine volume of Hydrothol® Granular needed*:
Surface Area: 1.5 acres; Average Depth: 4 ft.; Rate of Hydrothol Granular needed:
0.2 to 1.0 ppm; Pounds of Hydrothol Granular: 10.0 – 54.0 lbs per acre ft.
1.5 acres x 4 ft. avg. depth x (10.0 to 54.0 lbs per acre ft.) = 60 to 324 lbs of
Hydrothol Granular required.
0.5 ppm of Hydrothol Granular controls most weeds and algae in small lakes
and ponds. 1.5 acres x 4 ft. avg. depth x 27 lbs (0.5 ppm) = 162 lbs.
11
HYDROTHOL® GRANULAR ALGICIDE AND HERBICIDE
Controls Weeds and Algae Including:
Weeds:
– Brazilian Elodea (Egeria densa)
– Cabomba (Cabomba spp.)
– Coontail (Ceratophyllum spp.)
– Elodea (Elodea canadensis)
– Horned Pondweed
(Zannichellia palustris)
– Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata)
– Milfoil (Myriophyllum spp.)
– Naiad (Najas spp.)
– Pondweeds (Potamogeton spp.)
• American Pondweed (P. nodosus)
• Curlyleaf Pondweed (P. crispus)
• Illinois Pondweed (P. illinoensis)
• Floating-leaf (P. natans)
• Sago Pondweed (Stuckenia pectinata)
– Water Stargrass (Heteranthera spp.)
Algae:
– Planktonic: Common algae
such as Anabaena, Microcystis,
Hydrodictyon, Aphanizomenon,
Closterium, and Oscillatoria
– Filamentous: including Spirogyra
and Pithophora
– Branched: including Nitella and Chara
*Read and follow label directions.
12
SYMMETRY® NXG ALGICIDE
Symmetry® NXG is a copper-based, liquid algicide that provides broad spectrum
control of most algae species. The product works quickly, and there are no water use
restrictions. It can be tank mixed with Hydrothol 191, or other aquatic herbicides, to
improve efficacy on algae and to broaden the spectrum to include vascular plants.
Symmetry® NXG Quick Facts: No water use restrictions
Broad spectrum algicide
Quick-acting
Typical calculation to determine volume of Symmetry® NXG needed*:
Surface Area: 1.5 acres; Average Depth: 4 ft.
Rate of Symmetry NXG needed: 0.2 – 0.5 ppm
Gallons of Symmetry NXG: 0.7 to 1.7 gal. per acre ft.
1.5 acres x 4 ft. avg. depth x 0.7 to 1.7 gal. per ac. ft. = 4 to 10 gallons
of Symmetry NXG required.
13
SYMMETRY® NXG ALGICIDE
Controls the following types of Algae:
– Planktonic: Common algae
such as Anabaena, Microcystis,
Hydrodictyon, Aphanizomenon,
Closterium, and Oscillatoria
– Filamentous: including Spirogyra
and Pithophora
– Branched: including Nitella and Chara
*Read and follow label directions.
14
AQUATIC WEED IDENTIFICATION
15
Hydrilla
Brazilian Elodea
Elodea
(Hydrilla verticillata)
(Egeria densa)
(Elodea canadensis)
UPI Products:
Aquathol® K, Aquathol® Super K,
Hydrothol® Granular, Current®
UPI Products:
Current®
UPI Products:
Current®, Hydrothol® Granular
AQUATIC WEED IDENTIFICATION
Identifying Hydrilla, Egeria, and Elodea
Hydrilla verticillata
Egeria densa
Elodea canadensis
Rough to the touch
Smooth to the touch
Smooth to the touch
Sharply toothed leaf
margins, usually evident
without magnification
Serrulate leaf margins
barely visible without
magnification
Serrulate leaf margins
barely evident without
magnification
Leaves in whorls of 3-8
Leaves in whorls of 3-6
Leaves in whorls of 3
16
AQUATIC WEED IDENTIFICATION
American Pondweed
Alternate leaves, pointed
at the tip, submerged
and floating leaves.
Curlyleaf Pondweed
Alternate leaves, broadlypointed tips with toothed
and wavy margins.
American Pondweed
(Potamogeton nodosus)
17
UPI Products:
Aquathol® K, Aquathol® Super K,
Hydrothol® Granular
Curlyleaf Pondweed
(Potamogeton crispus)
UPI Products:
Aquathol® K, Aquathol® Super K,
Hydrothol® Granular
AQUATIC WEED IDENTIFICATION
Horned Pondweed
Long, linear, thread-like
leaves that are opposite.
Horn shaped seeds occur
in the leaf axis.
Horned Pondweed
Illinois Pondweed
Floating and submerged
leaves, submerged
leaves are 2-8” long,
tapering at both ends
with wavy margins.
Illinois Pondweed
(Zannichellia palustris)
(Potamogeton illinoensis)
UPI Products:
Aquathol® K, Aquathol® Super
K, Hydrothol® Granular
UPI Products:
Aquathol® K, Aquathol® Super K,
Hydrothol® Granular
18
AQUATIC WEED IDENTIFICATION
Sago Pondweed
Alternate thin grass-like
leaves that grow to a point.
Water Stargrass
Alternate thin stalkless
leaves. Plants often have
a star like yellow flower.
Sago Pondweed
19
Water Stargrass
(Stuckenia pectinata)
(Heteranthera spp.)
UPI Products:
Aquathol® K, Aquathol® Super K,
Hydrothol® Granular
UPI Products:
Aquathol® K, Aquathol® Super K,
Hydrothol® Granular
AQUATIC WEED IDENTIFICATION
Eurasian Watermilfoil
Feather-like leaves that are
arranged 4 to a whorl. Seed
spikes are often emerged.
Coontail
Lacks true roots, stalkless
leaves occur in brush-like
whorls of as many as 12.
Eurasian Watermilfoil
Coontail
(Myriophyllum spicatum)
(Ceratophyllum demersum)
UPI Products:
Aquathol® K, Aquathol® Super K,
Hydrothol® Granular
UPI Products:
Aquathol® K, Aquathol® Super K,
Hydrothol® Granular
20
AQUATIC WEED IDENTIFICATION
Naiad
Slender stems that branch
often, leaves are often opposite
and in whorls and vary from
green to redish purple.
Naiad
(Najas spp.)
21
UPI Products:
Aquathol® K, Aquathol® Super K,
Hydrothol® Granular
Branched Algae
Grow upright, plant-like
structures, leaves grow in
whorls. Structure feels hard
or brittle. When crushed
produce a distinct garlic
or skunky odor.
Branched Algae
(Chara)
UPI Products:
Hydrothol® Granular,
Symmetry® NXG
AQUATIC ALGAE IDENTIFICATION
Filamentous Algae
Made up of coarse filaments
that branch irregularly. When
held is described as a wet
ball of cotton or clump of
horse hair. (Spirogyra)
Filamentous Algae
(Pithophora)
UPI Products:
Hydrothol® Granular,
Symmetry® NXG
Planktonic Algae
ex. Anabaena, Microsystis,
Hydrodictyon, Aphanizomenon,
Closterium, and Oscillatoria:
Appear as green suspended
particles in the water column
capable of “tinting” the
water from light green
to “pea” green.
Planktonic Algae
(Anabaena)
UPI Products:
Hydrothol® Granular,
Symmetry® NXG
22
The following are key to growing trophy bass:
– Proper harvest of small bass will allow for more desirable size distribution of
the bass population. Over population results in small, stunted fish that do not
have sufficient prey.
– Stocking additional prey will help to assure fish have an adequate food supply
to grow to trophy size. Stocking additional prey will not produce trophy bass if
small bass are not harvested.
– Small lakes and ponds must have the proper fertility to support beneficial algae
and zooplankton. The food chain has to be complete so that bass can take
advantage of the available food and cover to grow to trophy size.
Managing aquatic weeds will make it easier to access bass
and other game fish in small lakes and ponds.
23
The Larger
the Lake, thehow
Smaller
themanagement
Fish
The following
chart demonstrates
proper
of small lakes and ponds can result in larger bass, providing
the opportunity to catch the trophy of a lifetime:
Number
Fish
Number
ofofFish
40
“The larger the fish population
in a lake, the smaller the fish.”
30
20
Before treatment
After treatment
10
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
Fish Size (Inches)
24
USEFUL INFORMATION AND FORMULAS
Acre: 43,560 square feet.
Acre Foot: The volume of water in one acre, one ft. deep.
One acre ft. of water is 325,828 gal.; one acre ft. of water is 2,717,000 lbs.
Parts Per Million: Rates of UPI Aquatic Herbicides are calculated in ppm.
The pounds of active ingredient in one million pounds of water.
25
USEFUL INFORMATION AND FORMULAS
255 ft.
How to calculate the size of a small lake or pond:
255 ft.
Diameter 400 ft.
Generally square or rectangular:
Area = length x width
To calculate the acre ft.:
• 255 ft. x 255 ft. = 65,025 sq. ft.
• 65,025 sq. ft. ÷ 43,560 ft./ac. = 1.5 acres
• 1.5 acres x 4 ft. average depth = 6 acre ft.
Somewhat circular:
Area = π r 2
To calculate the acre ft.:
• 3.14 x (200 ft. x 200 ft.) = 125,600 sq. ft.
• 125,699 sq. ft. ÷ 43,560 sq. ft./ac. = 2.9 acres
• 2.9 acres x 4 ft. average depth = 11.6 acre ft.
26
Dedicated to our late friend and associate Victor Ramey
(June 21, 1948 to November 24, 2005)
who provided many of the photos in this publication.
Thanks to Dr. John Rogers, Clemson University, and
Dr. Barre Hellquist, Professor Emeritus, Massachusetts College
of Liberal Arts, for providing photos for this publication.
UPI experts are here to help, if you have questions.
Please feel free to contact us at: 800-438-6071.
www.upi-usa.com/aquatics
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