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Hydrilla has been established in many areas of the Tennessee River System for decades. While it may be considered beneficial for fishing, it can have long term health implications for the fisheries, in addition to impeding swimming and recreational boating activities.

TVA manages aquatic plants that hinder public access to the river system but does not manage private or commercially developed shorelines. TVA management may include herbicide treatments and/or mechanical harvesting of areas that impede public access [boat ramps] or navigation. TVA is aware of the situation in Tellico Reservoir, but they have not seen any public access areas affected and have not treated any areas on the reservoir.

Private and commercial property owners on Tellico reservoir can hire private contractors to treat or harvest aquatic plants from their shoreline areas. These private contractors are regulated by the State of Tennessee through licensing and certification with the TN Department of Agriculture and permitting treatments through TDEC. Anyone who is paid to treat aquatic plants with herbicides on public waters legally must be certified and licensed through the State of Tennessee and permitted to do the application through TDEC.

Unfortunately, the conditions of the Reservoir have developed to favor the propagation of Hydrilla. The average temperature of Tellico Lake has risen by over 5 degrees Fahrenheit over the past 20 years. Moreover, residential development has replaced forested shoreline with hundreds of acres of non-native turfgrass that are maintained with chemical treatments, creating nutrient charged storm water runoff. Private property owners can take actions to reduce their impact. More information can be found here on the WATeR website.

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WATeR maintains a map of invasive aquatic vegetation sightings here. Hydrilla was first observed in Tellico Lake in 2023 in a few limited locations but by the end of 2024, it has become established in many different locations around the reservoir.