New hydrilla treatment coming to Lake Apopka

The St. Johns River Water Management District’s spring 2024 hydrilla treatment plan aims to treat more than 1,600 acres of Lake Apopka by airboat, with three new areas being targeted.

The St. Johns River Water Management District hosted a community meeting Tuesday, March 5, at Tanner Hall in Winter Garden to give updates on Lake Apopka restoration and vegetation management.

Those who have questions or wish to provide feedback should email LakeApopkaRestoration@sjrwmd.com.

At the meeting, Mary Ellen Winkler, assistant executive director for SJRWMD, announced the district is aiming to treat 1,633 acres of Lake Apopka for hydrilla by airboat come spring 2024.

The SJRWMD’s treatment plan proposes three new treatments at Smith Island, Gourd Neck and the Oakland Nature Preserve. In addition, follow-up treatments in the fall would be given to a 350-acre area along the northwest shore of Lake Apopka, east of Ferndale, as well as to a 1,125-acre area described as the north shore.

The district hopes the treatment will be conducted before the end of April. However, the exact timing is contingent upon weather conditions and lake-related activities.