I wrote recently about all of the water hyacinths that were appearing in large clumps all over the lake after recent heavy rains. The heavy rains caused the lake level to rise rapidly causing the lighted moored water hyacinths to break loose and float downstream. Many people who lived in the south part of the lake were not used to seeing these floating islands and some were not sure what was happening.
If they were really surprised by the large number of plants that floated down, just wait. Right now there is approximately 5 or 6 acres of water hyacinths pressed up against the Highway 155 bridge. Little by little they are squeezing through and floating downstream as the ones a couple of weeks ago did. This time, after the recent rain last week that caused the lake to rise another five or more feet, there are many more water hyacinths headed their way.
We may get a good cold front that could slow the progress for the plants do not do well in cold weather. With prolonged times of freezing weather, much of the mass of plants may sink below the surface and not continue its migration. Many of those growths will actually die in the deeper water. If we do not get the cold weather, then these plants will eventually make their way under the bridge. Winds and boat traffic will free the "logjam" that now exists.
Aren't invasive species wonderful?
Michael is a former biologist and Texas Master Naturalist. Originally from Newsome, Texas (Between Pittsburg and Winnsboro), educated in Dallas & Garland schools, then off to the University of Texas system where he received a degree in biology and worked as a biologist with the University of Texas system. After many years away from nature and biology, he relocated to the banks of Lake O' the Pines where he has been rediscovering the joys of nature. He is somewhat surprised that he has become a birder. Most of his interest in nature was centered around reptiles. Perhaps just like birds evolved from reptiles starting in the late Jurassic, he has begun his own evolution. During his formal education, his interests in biology/nature grew to include community ecology and population studies, all with a binding of evolutionary processes. He liked birds, but they were secondary at best. All at once he finds them fascinating.
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