Extra carp boost fight against hydrilla

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Lake Austin got a boost in its fight against hydrilla early Tuesday morning with its second batch of sterile Asian grass carp released into the waters in just the last four days.

Lower Colorado River Authority officials since Friday have been releasing more than 5,000 carp into the lake in hope of making a dent in the overgrowth of hydrilla, which has become a headache for people who want to enjoy the lake.

Hydrilla is an invasive plant that grows in the water and can grow to the surface and create dense mats.

This causes headaches for boaters on the lake because it gets stuck in propellers and is also unpleasant for people who want to take take a dip in the water.

Officials said hydrilla is seven times worse than in recent years. Tests last fall revealed the invasive plant is covering about 30 percent of the lake.

Authorities released about half of the carp -- farm-raised in Arkansas -- into the lake near the boat dock in Mary Quinlan Park on Friday morning.

The LCRA paid $30,500 for the carp.