BRANDON, Miss. (AP) — Officials are shutting down boating in part of one of Mississippi's most popular lakes, stepping up the fight against an invasive aquatic plant.
Giant salvinia was found in June in the Pelahatchie Bay area of Ross Barnett Reservoir, north of Jackson. The fast-growing aquatic fern is native to Brazil. It can form thick mats that choke aquatic life and hamper swimming and boating.
MORE: Information on Giant Salvinia
The Pearl River Valley Water Supply District on Thursday announced it will ban boating beginning Friday in Pelahatchie Bay and continue extensive herbicide treatment. It will also drain some water from the lake over the winter, seeking to expose salvinia to freezing weather.
People must remove boats from area docks by Nov. 5
The district says it anticipates Pelahatchie Bay will remain closed for six months.
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