CROSSETT — A recent discovery of water hyacinth, an invasive aquatic plant, has forced the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and Georgia-Pacific Crossett LLC to temporarily close the boating access to the Lake Georgia-Pacific in Ashley County. Fishing is still allowed at the lake, but the boat ramp will be closed while AGFC staff enact emergency actions to eradicate recently discovered concentrations of water hyacinth and survey the lake for additional occurrences of the plant.

Water hyacinth is native to the Amazon basin of South America and is thought to have been introduced to the southern U.S. as an ornamental. While it does have attractive flowers, the plant quickly forms dense mats that cover the water surface, displacing native species, impeding water flow and water navigation, and restricting recreational activities such as boating, fishing, hunting and swimming. Large amounts of decaying plant material can decrease oxygen levels, which is detrimental to fish and other organisms. Once established, water hyacinth can double in size in as little as two weeks in the right growing conditions.

After speaking with officials from Georgia-Pacific Crossett LLC, AGFC staff recommended the immediate closure of the boat ramp on the east side of the lake.

Matt Horton, Aquatic Nuisance Species Program coordinator for the AGFC, said the plant has been found primarily in the canal from the boat ramp leading to the main lake.

“We need to act quickly to contain and remove the plants before they have a chance to spread to the main lake,” Horton said. “Temporarily preventing additional boat traffic will help keep the plant from being dragged further into the lake and will prevent anyone from inadvertently hauling pieces of the plant to a different lake after fishing in Lake Georgia-Pacific.”

Lake Georgia-Pacific is roughly 1,500 acres and supplies water to the paper mill in south Arkansas. It also is a very popular fishing destination for local anglers. Largemouth bass, crappie and catfish are featured species in the lake.

“Fishing is still open at the lake, we are only closing the boat ramp to help contain during our eradication efforts,” Horton said. “We hope to reopen the boat ramp by the end of the week if our efforts are successful.”

Contact District Fisheries Biologist Ryan Mozisek at (870) 281-7091 for more information on this access closure and angling opportunities at Lake Georgia-Pacific. For more information on water hyacinth and other aquatic nuisance species visit www.agfc.com/ans.