Port Of Stockton Finds Hidden Pockets Of Water Hyacinth Ahead Of Potentially Worse Summer
STOCKTON (CBS13) — While there is no sign of water hyacinth along Stockton's waterfront, the Port of Stockton fears the plant might come back stronger than ever.
The port recently discovered four hyacinth nurseries and says they're growing.
The discovery of one of one nursery by Tule Island was in an area so secluded that port officials say they missed it traveling by boat. Hidden by cat tails and delta grass, port officials say water hyacinth is growing.
Port spokesman Jeff Wingfield says NASA imagery showed the hyacinth was there, so the port rented a helicopter to confirm the find. He says there were four areas, including one where a failed levee on Tule Island created a perfect cove for the plant.
"It's not like a giant mat yet, but it's up against the levees and it's kind of growing in this big line," he said.
The port told the Division of Boating and Waterways about the hyacinth, and the port hired another mechanical harvester to get some of it out.
"If we do have areas that we can get in now and mechanically remove it, we'll coordinate with boating and waterways," he said.
But the port needs help, from marinas and property owners to let the harvesters drop the unwanted plant on land before summer winds start moving the hyacinth out into Stockton and blocking the port again.
