The first installments of sterile grass carp have been released at Lake Murray, a 48,500-acre lake located near Columbia, to help control a rapidly expanding hydrilla problem. 

"This is the right decision at the right time," said Tommy Boozer, SCE&G’s Lake Manager, "SCE&G fully supports this effort and will work closely with the DNR to make this work." South Carolina Electric and Gas Company owns and manages the lake for hydroelectric power production.

The stocking of the plant-eating fish in Lake Murray is in response to the rapid spread of the aquatic weed hydrilla. The SC Department of Natural Resources in conjunction with the SC. Aquatic Plant Management Council developed a management plan that calls for the release of 64,500 sterile grass carp in the lake this spring. A key element of the plan is to achieve measurable control during the two-year period the lake is drawn down for construction of the lack-up dam.

SCDNR Aquatic Nuisance Species staff, Phil Fields, Chris Page, and Joe Dennis are responsible for coordinating he stocking and checking the fish before they go in the lake. "These are big beautiful fish," says Phil Fields, DNR’s Field Supervisor, "All the fish are supposed to be at least 12 inches long, but a lot are even bigger than that."

The total cost of the project is expected to be about $365,000 No state funds will be used for this project. South Carolina Electric and Gas Company will provide most of the funding with additional contributions by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lexington County, and Richland County.

Hydrilla has been in the lake since 1993. Treatments with aquatic herbicides and periodic drawdowns have kept it under control. But its rapid spread last year to over 6,700 acres combined with the decision to halt the use of aquatic herbicides prompted the use of grass carp. If left unchecked, the DNR estimates that hydrilla could infest up to 18,000 acres or 38% of the lake.

Hydrilla’s thick growth impairs public access and use of this popular midlands lake, and threatens its use as an important water supply for local residents and the Columbia metropolitan area.

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