A 10-week effort to control the spread of invasive hydrilla on Cayuga Lake is set to begin Tuesday, with state-contracted crews applying aquatic herbicides in portions of the lake near Aurora.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has contracted with Little Bear Environmental Consulting LLC to treat hydrilla in the South Aurora Project Area, which stretches from south of Wells College Bay to north of Long Point State Park.
The initial application of the herbicide fluridone, marketed as Sonar H4C, is scheduled to begin June 30, weather permitting. A chelated copper product, Harpoon Granular, will be used only as a spot treatment where isolated hydrilla plants are found. Additional treatment areas north of Aurora and south of Long Point will be addressed later this summer by a different contractor.
Officials said there are no restrictions on drinking water, fishing, swimming, boating or other domestic uses of lake water at the concentrations being applied. However, water containing fluridone should not be used on 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 and publish 2026 sampling results as they become available. Signs will also be posted at public lake access points while herbicide applications are underway.
Hydrilla is an invasive aquatic plant that can spread rapidly, disrupting ecosystems, limiting recreation and interfering with boating and fishing. State officials have conducted annual treatments in an effort to prevent the plant from becoming established in Cayuga Lake.
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