Austin to stock Lake Austin with more grass carp to combat hydrilla

AUSTIN, Texas — The City of Austin is continuing efforts to control an invasive plant in Lake Austin.

Officials plan to stock the lake with more sterile grass carp later this fall , as hydrilla now covers about 30% of the lake’s surface.

The non-native plant, originally from Asia, has been found mainly in coves near Loop 360. After reappearing last summer, hydrilla coverage has increased by 5% since June.

Officials said the city plans to stock five grass carp per acre of hydrilla to help reduce the invasive plant in the lake. Texas Parks and Wildlife conducted a vegetation survey in September and found there is a total of 456 acres of hydrilla in Lake Austin.

Overall vegetation in the lake is currently at about 40%, which is near the upper limit recommended to sustain aquatic life.