Interfere with water transportation Can be unsightly The major groups of aquatic weeds are algae and flowering plants. Rooted floaters have roots in the mud at the pond bottom but the leaves float on the water surface. Emergent plants are rooted under or at the edge of the water and include cattails, purple loosestrife, and willows.
Leaves are well above the water.
Invasive species, such as the submersed plants, hydrilla, Eurasian watermilfoil, and the free-floating plant, water hyacinth, are particularly troublesome because they crowd out desirable native aquatic plant species, degrade the habitat, and prevent human uses of the water. These species persist and spread primarily by producing vegetative reproductive structures. They also degrade the environment and provide little valuable habitat for wildfowl and other animals. Minimize the amount of shallow areas where aquatic plants can root and grow abundantly. Mechanical control Hand removal Draglining and dredging Machine harvesting.