New York State’s ongoing effort to eliminate the invasive aquatic plant hydrilla from Cayuga Lake will continue next week with a new round of herbicide treatments.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has contracted with Little Bear Environmental Consulting LLC to apply the aquatic herbicides fluridone, marketed as Sonar H4C, and chelated copper, marketed as Harpoon Granular, in the South Aurora Project Area.
The treatment area extends from south of Wells College Bay to north of Long Point State Park.
Weather permitting, the initial application of Sonar H4C will begin on Tuesday and is expected to continue for over 10 weeks. Harpoon Granular will be used only as a spot treatment in locations where isolated hydrilla plants are detected.
Additional hydrilla treatment areas in North Aurora and south of Long Point State Park will be addressed later this summer by a separate contractor.
The contracted applicator will post signs at public lake access points when herbicide applications are underway.
According to the DEC, there are no restrictions on drinking water, fishing, swimming, boating, or other domestic uses of lake water during the Sonar H4C treatment because of the low concentrations being applied.
However, officials advise that water containing fluridone should not be used to irrigate sensitive greenhouse or nursery plants, newly seeded lawns, or certain vegetable crops.
The Cayuga County Health Department will monitor public drinking water throughout the treatment period. Results from the 2026 water quality sampling program will be posted on the department’s website once they become available.
State officials say the hydrilla control effort is part of a long-term strategy to eradicate the invasive species, which can crowd out native vegetation, interfere with recreation, and negatively affect aquatic ecosystems.
