Water Najas in Lake Greenwood Leflore – Current Management Efforts
Welcome to the Water Najas Updates page. This is where we share updates about the ongoing efforts to control the Water Najas weed currently affecting Lake Greenwood Leflore, steps the Board is taking to address the issue, and ways you, as a resident, can help.
The Issue
Our largest lake, Lake Greenwood Leflore, is currently affected by an aquatic plant known as Water Najas, also called Southern Naiad or Bushy Pondweed. This plant can grow quickly in shallow, sunlit water, and it can interfere with fishing and boating.
What is Water Najas?
Water Najas is a submerged weed, meaning that it grows and thrives below the water surface. It has slender stems with thin pointed leaves arranged in whorls and can grow in dense patches or mats. Water Najas typically grows as deep as 6 to 15 feet. However, growth at depths near 15 feet require exceptionally crystal clear waters conditions for sunlight to reach that depth. Since our lakes do not have that level of clarity, it is unlikely that the weed is growing deeper that 6 to 8 feet.
📆 Timeline & Treatment History
We’ll continue to update this section with notable events, actions taken, and important decisions.
📌 September 2025
- Chelated Copper was applied to the area around the Lake Greenwood Leflore dam and boat ramp.
- A designated Lake Management Fund has been established if you would like to put in extra funds to help cover lake treatments. Please specify this is for the Lake Management Fund and send these via PayPal to cblma.ms@gmail.com or mail them to PO Box 67, Hernando, MS 38632.
📌 August 11, 2025: Board Decision
- Unanimously voted not to close Lake Greenwood Leflore. Closing the dam was suggested as a mean to prevent the weed from spreading to the other lakes. This was thoroughly discussed, and the pros and cons of taking such action were carefully considered.
- Unanimously voted to purchase more Chelated Copper to treat another section of the lake, with a focus near the dam and boat ramp. While it was initially thought that our first treatment was ineffective, it seems that it may just take approximately two months or more for this treatment to be noticeable. This next treatment will allow us to confirm if that is accurate.
🐟 June 3, 2025 – Grass Carp Stocked
- Triploid Grass Carp were successfully purchased, delivered, and released into Lake Greenwood Leflore.
- Triploid Grass Carp are a species of sterile fish that:
- Provide a long-term solution
- Naturally consume aquatic vegetation providing continuous control
- Pose no risk of overpopulation since they cannot reproduce
🧠 Did You Know?
Sterile grass carp have been stocked in our lakes 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.
📌 May 20, 2025: Board Decision
- Prioritize Stocking Triploid Grass Carp as the most sustainable, long-term solution.
- This decision followed extensive consultation with state experts and considers both environmental impact and financial responsibility..
- 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
🌱 Spring 2025
- Spring algae attached to submerged Water Najas, worsening lake appearance.
- Initial Treatment Applied: The shallowest end of the lake was treated with Chelated Copper, known as Cutrine Plus, before the Annual Meeting. (Because this treatment depletes the oxygen in the water, it can only be applied to 1/3 of the lake at a time.)
- At the Annual Meeting, the plan was explained:
- Treat the lake in thirds as recommended
- Wait several weeks between treatments as recommended
- Assess results before continuing
- However, the initial treatment had minimal visible results, and continuing this method seemed that it would be cost-prohibitive and ineffective on a full-lake scale.
❄️ Winter 2024–25
- Unfortunately, there was little to no winter die-off, and the weed remained dense.
🍂 Fall 2024
- We consulted a Mississippi State biologist.
- Confirmed the plant as Water Najas or Southern Naiad.
- Advised us on several treatment options that included:
- Chelated Copper – A chemical herbicide that could be applied in warmer weather
- Diquat – A contact herbicide that burns back the plant but does not kill it to the root
- Triploid Grass Carp – A sterile fish species that consumes the weed naturally and provides sustainable control
- There was hope that winter temperatures would reduce the weed naturally.
🟢 Mid-Late Summer 2024
- Residents began noticing the new weed overgrowth in the lake.
🏡 What Residents Can Do
- 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.
- Please only spray along your property banks and avoid trying to treat section of the lake yourself. This will help us avoid over treating sections and causing harm to the fish and lake.
- 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.
- 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.
📅 Ongoing Updates
We will continue to update this page with:
- Treatments
- 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 close the boat ramp?
A: This was considered and thoroughly discussed by the Board. Ultimately, it was decided that closing the boat ramp will not guarantee that the weed will not be spread to other lakes. Between our Canadian Geese and other wildlife going from lake to lake, there is still the possibility that it could be found in Chief Chisca or Lake Mussacuma. It was also taken into account that far less than half of lot owners live on lake front property on Lake Greenwood Leflore, yet all Chickasaw Bluff Lake members should still have access to one of the largest assets of the community. In addition any funds spent to facilitate restricting access would be better spent on actual treatment.
Q: Can I help?
A: Absolutely! There are several ways you can help:
- We have setup a designated Lake Management Fund if you would like to put in extra funds to help cover lake treatments. Please specify this is for the Lake Management Fund and send these via PayPal to cblma.ms@gmail.com or mail them to PO Box 67, Hernando, MS 38632.
- You are welcome to help clear the areas in front of your property with aquatic herbicides as mentioned above.
- If you would like to assist with treatments, please email us at cblma.ms@gmail.com and we will let those planning the treatments know you would like to help.
📬 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