body of water

Welcome to the Lake Management page. This is where we share updates about the health of our lakes, steps the Board is taking to address issues like invasive weeds, and ways you, as a resident, can help maintain the beauty and usability of our shared natural spaces.

✅ Update: Grass Carp Have Been Stocked!

We’re happy to report that Triploid Grass Carp were successfully stocked into Lake Greenwood Leflore on June 3, 2025. This is a major milestone in our effort to naturally control invasive vegetation like the Water Najas.

Above: Grass carp release on stocking day.

We’ll continue to monitor their impact and provide periodic updates.

🧪 What’s the Problem?

Our largest lake, Lake Greenwood Leflore, is currently affected by an invasive aquatic plant known as Water Najas, also called Southern Naiad or Bushy Pondweed. This plant grows quickly and can:

  • Disrupt the natural balance of our lake
  • Interfere with fishing and boating
  • Reduce the aesthetic and recreational value of our lake

Residents have noticed the increase in plant growth, and the Board has taken steps to address it.

🔬 Expert Assessment

We consulted a Mississippi State biologist, who:

  • Confirmed the plant as Water Najas (Southern Naiad)
  • Advised us on several treatment options
    • Chelated Copper – A chemical herbicide effective in warm water
    • Diquat – A contact herbicide that burns back the plant but does not kill the root
    • Triploid Grass Carp – A sterile fish species that consumes the weed naturally and provides sustainable control

💧 What’s Been Done So Far?

  • Initial Treatment Applied: The shallowest end of the lake was treated with Chelated Copper known as Cutrine Plus. (Because this treatment depletes the oxygen in the water, it can only be applied to 1/3 of the lake at a time.)
  • Outcome: Unfortunately, the results have not met expectations, and continuing this method would be cost-prohibitive and ineffective on a full-lake scale.

🐟 What’s Next: Grass Carp Solution

Based on expert recommendations and information, the Board voted May 20, 2025 to pursue the long-term solution of restocking Triploid Grass Carp, a species of sterile fish that:

  • Naturally consume aquatic vegetation
  • Pose no risk of overpopulation (they cannot reproduce)
  • Provide continuous control of nuisance weeds like Southern Naiad and the Aquatic Primrose that surrounds the banks.

This decision follows extensive consultation with state experts and considers both environmental impact and financial responsibility.

🧠 Did You Know?

Sterile grass carp have been stocked in our lake before — approximately 30 to 40 years ago.
While a few may still be present and have been seen by residents, this is well beyond their typical lifespan and effective weed-control years. Reintroducing a new population of grass carp is necessary to restore this form of natural management.

📦 Status Update:

Grass carp were stocked into the lake on June 3, 2025. This marks the beginning of a long-term, natural weed control strategy. We’ll continue posting updates on their progress and effectiveness.


🏡 What Residents Can Do

  1. Bank Herbicide Spraying:
    • If your property borders the lake, you can help reduce the spread of the weed from your shoreline.You may use the approved aquatic herbicides diquat (Harvester, Reward, Weedtrine-D, and Tsunami DQ) or chelated copper  (Cutrine Plus) from your shoreline.
    • Always follow label directions and avoid spraying near grass carp (once introduced).
  2. Avoid Fertilizer Runoff:
    • Excess nutrients from lawn fertilizers can fuel weed growth.
    • Use low-phosphorus or phosphorus-free fertilizers and avoid applying near the lake.
  3. Wash Boats & Equipment:
    • Wash off all boats and motors prior to putting them in any of the Chickasaw Bluff Lakes and after removing them. Ensure all your guests know to do the same.
    • So far the Water Najas has only be noticed in Lake Greenwood Leflore, and we’d like to prevent it from spreading to Chief Chisca Lake and Lake Mussacuma if possible.

📆 Timeline & Treatment History

We’ll continue to update this section with notable events, actions taken, and important decisions.

🟢 Mid-Late Summer 2024

  • Residents began noticing the new weed overgrowth in the lake.

🍂 Fall 2024

  • The Mississippi State biologist was contacted.
  • Due to fall project commitments, the biologist could not conduct an onsite visit, but Photo-based identification confirmed the species as Water Najas or Southern Naiad.
  • Recommended treatment options included:
    • Chelated Copper
    • Diquat
    • Triploid Grass Carp
  • Herbicide application was advised only once water temperatures reached above 60°F.
  • There was hope that winter temperatures would reduce the weed naturally.

❄️ Winter 2024–25

  • Unfortunately, there was little to no winter die-off, and the weed remained dense.

🌱 Spring 2025

  • Spring algae attached to submerged Water Najas, worsening lake appearance.
  • Chelated Copper was applied to the shallowest end of the lake before the Annual Meeting.
  • At the Annual Meeting, the plan was explained:
    • Treat the lake in thirds
    • Wait several weeks between treatments
    • Assess results before continuing
  • However, the initial treatment had minimal visible results.

📌 May 20, 2025: Board Decision

  • Based on ongoing input from the biologist, the Board decided:
    • To prioritize Triploid Grass Carp as the most sustainable, long-term solution.
    • The sole use of Diquat was ruled out due to its inability to kill the weed at the root.
  • Budget Amendment Approved:
    • Funds were reallocated from Repairs and Maintenance to the Lakes & Dams budget.
    • This allows for:
      • Purchase of the recommended number of carp
      • Spot-treatment herbicide purchases for worst-affected areas

🐟 June 3, 2025 – Grass Carp Stocked

  • Triploid Grass Carp were successfully released into Lake Greenwood Leflore.

📅 Ongoing Updates

We will continue to update this page with:

  • Treatments
  • Grass carp stocking dates
  • Progress

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Are grass carp safe for our lake?
A: Yes. We are introducing Triploid Grass Carp, which are sterile and approved by wildlife authorities for weed control. They won’t overpopulate or disrupt the ecosystem.

Q: Can I still fish in the lake?
A: Absolutely. The carp are not intended for fishing, but all other fishing activity is unaffected.

Q: Why not just keep spraying?
A: We will continue to spray some to help kill back the weeds, but chemical treatments can be expensive and only offer short-term results. They will not eradicate the weed and must be continued to be applied. They also can pose a risk to the health and quality of our fish if sprayed in high quantities. The scale of infestation and the size of Lake Greenwood Leflore makes it impractical to treat chemically across the entire lake every season.

Q: When will the grass carp be introduced?
A: The grass carp were stocked into the lake on June 3, 2025. We will continue to monitor their progress and share updates here.


📬 Stay Informed

Bookmark this page and check back regularly. We’re committed to transparency and keeping our lake clean, healthy, and enjoyable for all residents.

For questions or concerns, please contact the us at cblma.ms@gmail.com