Elodea is the first documented aquatic invasive plant in alaska

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service awarded a $233,784.21 Project Grant under the Fish and Aquatic Conservation - Aquatic Invasive Species program (CFDA 15.608) to the Fairbanks Soil & Water Conservation District to eradicate the invasive aquatic plant Elodea from two Alaska waterways. The grant funds will be used to treat Pile Driver Slough and Manley Hot Springs Slough with herbicide for up to 3 years to eliminate Elodea populations. Additionally, the project will conduct early detection surveys, boat inspections, and public outreach to prevent the further spread of Elodea in the Yukon River Basin. This will restore approximately 30 miles of salmon habitat and protect hundreds of additional miles of downstream habitat. The award period runs from Apr 1, 2024 to Nov 15, 2027.

IT spreads by fragments carried on boats and float planes. Once elodea establishes in a lake or stream IT displaces native vegetation and forms dense stands. The dense stands increase sedimentation and decrease water velocities in streams. These alterations make native freshwater ecosystems unsuitable for salmon spawning and migration. Dense tangled mats of elodea create hazardous conditions for boat and float plane operation. The waterways of the yukon river basin provide essential habitat for the migration and survival of pacific salmon. These freshwater habitats along the yukon river are directly threatened by elodea that may spread there from infested lakes in the fairbanks area. If the spread of elodea is not controlled IT would result in irreparable damage to freshwater resources that alaskan communities rely on for subsistence and transportation. We have been working in partnership with state and federal agencies towards eradicating elodea in the yukon river basin since 2011. We are getting close to achieving eradication of elodea from 19 water bodies near fairbanks. We have already successfully eradicated elodea in 4 lakes and one remote slough in the region and herbicide treatments are ongoing in 14 other water bodies. No other elodea infestations have been detected to date. Early detection of new infestations and preventing the spread of elodea from existing infestations are paramount to successfully eradicating elodea in the region. The purpose of the proposed project is to complete the eradication of elodea in two sloughs located near fairbanks and manley in interior alaska and to prevent the spread of elodea from the existing infestations. This will be accomplished by treating the waters of pile driver slough and manley hot springs slough with a proven safe and effective aquatic herbicide for for up to 3 years to eradicate elodea. Early detection surveys for elodea as well as boat inspections and public outreach will be conducted to prevent the spread of elodea. These actions will result in the restoration of 30 combined miles of impacted salmon habitat as well as the protection of hundreds of miles of downstream salmon habitat from the threat of elodea.restored water bodies will be protected from being invaded again as a result of these actions. Eradicating elodea is a high statewide priority that is successfully being carried out around the state by partnering agencies. Fairbanks soil and water conservation district is the intended beneficiary of the award. The proposed project activities will contribute towards the eradication of elodea as well as to the prevention of further spread of this harmful invasive plant in the yukon river basin.