LOUDON — An invasive aquatic plant capable of choking waterways and disrupting recreational activities has returned to Tellico Lake, prompting concerns about its spread and efforts to control it.

Dozens of Tellico Village residents gathered Thursday, Nov. 12, at the Yacht Club to learn about hydrilla, a fast-growing aquatic plant that can form dense mats of vegetation in lakes and other waterways.

Native to parts of Asia, Africa and Australia, hydrilla can crowd out native vegetation, block sunlight and reduce oxygen levels, disrupting aquatic ecosystems. Its dense growth also can interfere with swimming, boating and fishing.


David Flanagan, president of the Watershed Association of the Tellico Reservoir (WATeR), showed residents photographs of hydrilla growing in different areas of Tellico Lake. He said geese have been observed feeding on the plant.

Flanagan said hydrilla was first detected in the lake in 2023 and has remained a recurring concern.

“The first time we saw it was in 2023,” Flanagan said. “It was not as bad last year as it was in the years before when we first spotted it.”

Flanagan said he has been in contact with the Tennessee Valley Authority about the problem.

Managing the spread

Speakers emphasized that managing hydrilla, rather than eliminating it entirely, is the primary goal because of the plant’s ability to spread through fragments.

Cody Smithson, co-owner of Aquatic Weed Wizards, explained that even small pieces of the plant can develop into new growth.

“Any little bit of the plant that is kicked up and pulled can grow a new batch,” Smithson said. “That process is called fragmentation.”

Smithson said his company began offering treatments after hydrilla was spotted in October, although treatment typically takes place during July and August.

“We [Aquatic Weed Wizards] are offering treatments now since it has been spotted here in October,” Smithson said. “Usually, we do treatments in the late part of summer during July and August.”

He said the most heavily affected areas are shallow coves, although the plant can spread to other parts of the lake.

Jacob Velba, also a co-owner of Aquatic Weed Wizards, said weather conditions can influence hydrilla growth, particularly in the lake’s main channels.

“The more rain we get, the less Hydrilla likes it,” Velba said. “This especially true for the main channel points of the lake. This is why was we called this ‘weed year,’ because of all of the dry heat we had.”

Hydrilla has caused problems in waterways elsewhere in the United States, including Oregon and Virginia. At Virginia’s Smith Mountain Lake, grass carp have been introduced to control the plant, although The Roanoke Times reported that the effort has not produced the desired results.

For more information about aquatic weed treatment, visit aquaticweedwizards.com or call 865-622-8282.