10,000 carp released into Lake Norman to fight invasive weed

LAKE NORMAN — More than 10,000 fish were released into Lake Norman on Tuesday morning to fight an invasive weed.

"Hydrilla was rediscovered last year. It's on five to six acres,” said Ron Shoultz, executive director of the Lake Norman Marine Commission.

Grass carp will eat the hydrilla plant that has invaded the lake, but the fish aren't cheap. Officials said each fish costs roughly $10, totaling about $100,000, and the Lake Norman Marine Commission is putting thousands of them into Lake Norman.

“These are sterile grass carp we're deploying into Lake Norman and they will eat hydrilla," said Shoultz. "They eat anything vegetative.”

Hydrilla can cause major problems, like building over the water intake at the treatment plant and compromising the purification system.

"Ultimately, it will clog water intake to Charlotte Water, which is a major supplier for drinking water,” Shoultz said.

Hydrilla grows up to 15 feet tall and already covers 50 acres in one cove of Ramsey Creek. Officials said if left untreated, it could eventually take over the lake.

"Last time, we had 40 acres and stopped at 5,000 fish. In a couple years, it

was gone,” Shoultz said

Grass carp are also considered an invasive species in many states, but the ones being released into the lake can't reproduce.

Officials are now relying on a maintenance system and bringing in more fish as needed to ensure the hydrilla doesn't get out of control again.

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