Battling Alligator Weed
Here is what we found on arrival at Structure # S879, being the old Atlantic Coast Railway bridge over Southwest Creek.
Notice the alligator weed has built up behind the bridge. This is because the old pilings were cut off at water level and
left in the middle of the openings between the new pilings when the bridge was rebuilt.
Back in November we spent one entire day clearing a similar buildup of alligatorweed here. This will go on forever until
these old pilings are cut off two to three feet down or pulled up and out altogether.
If these pilings were not here this large mass of alligatorweed could have passed through the clear openings and been
down to salt water where it would already have been destroyed.
It is essential that these old pilings be removed or cut off if we are ever to eradicate alligator weed in this creek.








We cleared it again today.


We are very pleased with the results of our efforts to date. We will continue upstream and see no reason why we cannot have the
entire main channel cleared of all alligatorweed.
This will leave plenty to be treated with chemicals and/or flea beetles in areas we cannot get to because of blown down trees
blocking our access to them by canoes and kayaks.
These blockages should be removed too. A good crew with chain saws would do it.
All that was accomplished today was done by Jim Niedermeyer of Hubert and Elmer Eddy of Swansboro. Think of what could be done
with about 20 volunteers. All are welcome to join us on our paddle trips.
Our freezing winter temperatures are killing the weed sprouts that develop above the water with a few warm days. But today we
discovered that under water sprouts at each nodule are also growing. These are not killed but simply slowed down by cooler waters.
Today they were two to three inches long already.
By May when chemicals and flea beetles will be used these large mats will be doubled, tripled or more in size!
Why wait until then to get rid of them when we can, right now, take advantage of the winter kill and get rid of them.
If they are not there they cannot sprout and grow! To leave them there all that time is just providing a nursery for them to grow and
grow and grow as they have in past years blocking the entire river in places..
Elmer Eddy
Elmer, The White Oak River Trashman
Stewards of The White Oak River Basin
101 River Reach Drive West,
Swansboro, NC. 28584
910-389-4588 e-mail: elmer@whiteoakstewards.org
Please visit our website: http://www.whiteoakstewards.org/
“If no one litters, there will be no litter!”
