Control Three methods of reducing or eliminating nuisance aquatic vegetation are mechanical, biological and chemical. Mechanical Mechanical control involves physically removing plants from the pond. Hand-pulling is effective to control cattails, willow trees and cottonwood trees while they are small. Rake to remove algae and submerged vegetation from the pond, especially around a swimming area. Submerged vegetation also can be removed by pulling a chain or cable through the pond between two tractors.
Mechanical control is temporary and normally affects a portion of the pond's vegetation.
It is the least effective method and may aggravate the problem because some aquatic plants spread through broken fragments and become new plants. The grass carp requires large rivers for spawning and does not reproduce in ponds. The Colorado Division of Wildlife requires notification of stocking. Only triploid grass carp are permitted on the West Slope. Grass carp stocked on the West Slope must also meet the stocking criteria of the Upper Colorado River fish recovery program.