PORTLAND, Conn. (WFSB) - Biologists with the US Army Corps of Engineers were out on the CT River Tuesday, near Portland Boat Works, literally testing the waters.

They are trying to figure out how best to fight the invasive plant species Hydrilla.

The big thing that it does is, it grows in abundance and outcompetes native plants that are supposed to be here. Eventually degrades the habitat," says Benjamin Sperry, Research Biologist with the Army Corps of Engineers. “It threatens flood control, navigation, recreational access, swimming, fishing activities, it’s a very nuisance species.”

Hydrilla has been spotted in Lake Pocotopaug in East Hampton, Chester and Portland.

The Army Corps of Engineers has applied for permits related to Hydrilla treatments in five different areas in the Connec

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