Hydrilla growth in Little Lake Harris causing worry

Howey-in-the-Hills residents are alarmed that hydrilla, a pea green invasive aquatic weed, is growing out of control in Little Lake Harris and preventing people from accessing the lake from their docks, Mayor Chris Sears said Friday.

“I’m extremely concerned about the health of the lake. The hydrilla is getting just exponentially bigger and wider,” Sears said. “It looks to be halfway out in Little Lake Harris now.”

The problem is most critical in areas of the lake bordering North Lakeshore Boulevard, a couple of blocks from the historic Howey mansion, which has been refurbished and has become a popular tourist attraction for the Lake County town of about 1,200 about 40 miles northwest of downtown Orlando.

Looking for answers on how to combat the problem, Howey invited a representative of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to speak to town council members at their meeting Monday night. FWC invasive plant management biologist Nathalie Visscher is due to appear when the meeting begins at 6 p.m.