With its prolific regeneration, hardy adaptations, and lack of natural controls, tamarisk quickly spread throughout the American West. Many scientists believe the spread of tamarisk has been aided by dams and other flood control projects. Tamarisk now occupies virtually every river system in the Southwest. It can form dense uniform stands, crowd out native trees and shrubs, and ruin wildlife habitat. The dense stands are susceptible to destructive fires, further harming riparian areas.
Tamarisk also decreases available surface water, sometimes drying up streams, ponds, and even lakes.
These salts, exuded from the tamarisk leaves, collect under the plant, further increasing soil salinity and discouraging native plants. Public Problem, Cooperative Solution National Park Service funding was not sufficient to undertake the entire project of eradicating tamarisk along the Mancos River. Fortunately, a grant from Canon, USA, Inc., through the National Park Foundation, made this project a reality. This money was used for salaries for tamarisk eradication specialists, travel costs, herbicides, fuel for chainsaws, and other supplies, as well as funding the production of educational and interpretive materials. In many areas of the West, the tamarisk problem seems overwhelming.