Hydrilla Control Program Will Continue in 2024

In 2013, Maryland Department of Natural Resource biologists discovered hydrilla – a fast growing invasive weed that can negatively impact recreational opportunities in the southern portion of Deep Creek Lake. The department convened a nationwide expert panel to evaluate all potential hydrilla control strategies and implemented a multi-year herbicide program. Since 2014, the department has been treating the lake-bottom where hydrilla has been found with small amounts of herbicide each year to exhaust all of the tubers (reproductive structures that generate new plants). The treatment program has been successful since its inception in 2014 and is planned to continue during the summer of 2024.

The four herbicide treatment dates will begin in June. Treatments are usually conducted on Tuesdays, however dates are subject to change due to weather conditions. The dates will be posted here in May. The department encourages lake residents to sign up for email updates. For questions about the Hydrilla Control Pr​ogram, please contact Mark Lewandowski.

• Letter to DCL Property Owners
• ​Learn more about this invasive plant and plans for treatment
• Map of the Hydrilla infestation area
• FAQ's about the Herbicide Treatment
• What you can do to stop invasives
• Hydrilla Identification​