Lyngbya treatment airboat

April 16. Lyngbya treatments have begun on lake around Cornelius, according to the Lake Norman Marine Commission.

The noxious dark-colored mats have a musty odor and make swimming problematic as temperatures rise.

As of right now, Lyngbya infestation levels are relatively low—about 10 acres. A push by local stakeholders has resulted in the Marine Commission facilitating the development of a Lyngbya-directed algaecide.

Funding

The program is funded by Catawba, Iredell, Lincoln, and Mecklenburg counties along with Charlotte Water and Duke Energy. The 2024 treatment season will target 10 acres of Lyngbya based on data collected from annual survey efforts conducted by NC State University’s Aquatic Plant Management Program (NCSU/APMP) and Duke Energy’s Aquatic Plant Management Program.

The cost: $60,000.

Where

Treatment sites for 2024 are within Ramsey, Davidson, and McCrary creeks.

When

During the mid-part of each month from April to September, residents in treatment areas should expect to see airboats utilized by the application company, Aqua Services, slowly moving along the shoreline applying algaecides in treatment sites.

Details

The algaecides have a bright blue hue but they will not affect irrigation, fishing or swimming.

The treatment program is expected to be a multi-year process.

Lake Norman’s Lyngbya management program was designed using the same protocol as Lake Gaston, where it has demonstrated success in reducing the presence of Lyngbya over time with repeated treatments.

The LNMC has also contracted with NCSU to evaluate the efficacy of treatments during the pilot season.

Questions?

Email AquaticPlants@dukeenergy.com. To report Lyngbya, click here.

–Jessica Baumann, NCSU APMP project manager for the Lake Norman Lyngbya treatment program