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Hernando Cleans Hunters Lake

Hernando Tussock Removal

The tussock-clearing project will improve fish habitat, water quality as well as navigation and recreation within the lake.

SPRING HILL – The Hernando County Aquatic Services and Waterways Division and the Department of Public Works are working cooperatively with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on a tussock removal project at Hunters Lake in Spring Hill.

This project will improve fish habitat, water quality as well as navigation and recreation within the lake.

Tussocks are thick floating islands of vegetative mats composed of native and/or non-native plants. They grow on a buoyant mat of plant roots and organic matter. If left alone, tussocks can expand to levels that may be detrimental to the health of the lake.

Texas Aquatics, the contractor selected for the project, will be operating three harvesters to remove the tussocks. Removal of these mats will prevent organic material from accumulating on the bottom of the lake. The tussock removal process is underway with a total of 14 acres targeted for elimination over the next four to five weeks. Once completed, the FFWCC plans to harvest an additional five acres around the west side of the lake.

Wayne Dukes } Hernando County Commission | Politics
Wayne Dukes

“Hunters Lake was once the best bass fishing lake in Hernando County and we hope this project will help return the lake to more historic, pristine conditions,” Hernando County Commission Chairman Wayne Dukes staid. “Funding was provided through the County’s quality of life fund to help improve fishing and recreation opportunities on the lake.”

The total cost for the County’s portion of this project is $150,000 with and additional $50,000 budgeted by FFWCC.

To see a video of the removal in progress, go to youtube.com.

For information about Hernando County, go to co.hernando.fl.us.

Photo is screen grab from you tube video courtesy of Hernando County.

Hernando County | Hunters Lake | Tussock Removal | Wayne Dukes | Tampabay News

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