For Immediate Release: 7/31/2023 3:53 pm
WORCESTER, Mass. – The City of Worcester Department of Sustainability and Resilience (DSR) has contracted the application of the herbicide imazamox (trade name Clearcast) to the northern part of Coes Reservoir for Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023 to address remaining plants that were not covered in the July 7 treatment.
All persons are advised to discontinue using water from Coes Reservoir for irrigation of plants or lawns or watering livestock, and to keep clear of application boats for the duration of the day. Recreational use in the swimming area may continue, but boating in the northern portion is prohibited on the day of treatment. Beaches will be posted prior to the application. The water will be open for all uses again on Thursday, Aug. 3.
Herbicide treatments are a safe and effective method to control the growth of the invasive aquatic plant Trapa natans, also referred to as water chestnut. The application of herbicides is a common practice to reduce invasive weed density and poses no risk to humans and animals after application is complete, though water use for irrigation is discouraged. This application has been approved by the Worcester Conservation Commission.
More information on water chestnut is available through the Lakes & Ponds Program’s “Blue Space Minute” video series at youtu.be/_QG1MxflmLk. For questions, please contact 508-799-8325 or greenworcester@worcesterma.gov.
