CROSSETT — A recent infestation of Lake Georgia-Pacific in Ashley County by aquatic nuisance species has been eliminated thanks to swift decisions and hard work by Georgia-Pacific and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

AGFC staff removed dozens of boatloads of water hyacinth, an invasive species native to the Amazon Basin of South America that is known for choking out fisheries and boat access if left unchecked.

“We initially found the plant early this week in the canal leading from the boat ramp to the main lake,” Matt Horton, Aquatic Nuisance Species Program Coordinator for the AGFC, said. “Georgia-Pacific owns the lake, so we worked with them to ensure everyone was on the same page with a temporary closure of the boat ramp and elimination of the harmful plants.”

Once biologists got to work, they found three additional areas in the main lake that were infested with the plant.

Read more here: https://www.agfc.com/news/early-detection-stops-two-alien-invaders-in-their-tracks-lake-georgia-pacific-boat-access-reopened/