TVA Introduces New Aquatic Plant ID Tool to Help Protect Reservoirs from Invasive Plants

GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. – The Tennessee Valley Authority has launched a new aquatic plant identification tool on tva.com designed to help residents, anglers, and lake users on all TVA reservoirs identify aquatic plants more easily. In addition, TVA is expanding resources focused on the invasive, hybrid eelgrass species in Guntersville Reservoir.

The Aquatic Plant ID tool provides clear photos, descriptions, and plant categories to support public awareness and early detection. While users may submit observations, it is not a request system for treatment. It provides TVA with valuable, real-time information to support long-term planning.

“This new online tool can help people across the Valley better understand what types of plants they’re seeing in their communities,” said Stephen Turner, TVA Aquatic Plant Management Program manager. “Giving the public a simple way to identify aquatic plants and share what they’re observing strengthens our ability to monitor changing conditions across all TVA reservoirs and use resources effectively.”

In addition to using the online tool, TVA urges all boaters to follow Clean, Drain, Dry practices to help control the spread of invasive aquatic plants between waterways.

• Clean all plants and mud from boats, trailers, bilges, live wells and any other equipment.
• Drain the boat completely.
• Dry the boat and gear before your next outing.

To address the invasive, hybrid eelgrass species in Guntersville Reservoir, TVA’s Aquatic Plant Management Program includes weekly surveys, EPA approved herbicide treatments, and a fleet of 10 large harvesters, two transport barges, and one rapid response unit that can quickly travel to trouble spots as needed. TVA is funding a fouryear research project with Mississippi State University, a leading institution for aquatic plant management, to study herbicide efficacy. The agency also lowered Guntersville and Wheeler Reservoir levels during winter cold snaps to freeze eelgrass plants and seeds.

From May to October 2025, TVA’s Aquatic Plant Management team and its contractors treated approximately 555 acres, cut and harvested more than 200 acres of aquatic plants from boat lanes, and collected and removed over 70,000 cubic yards of floating eelgrass from developed public-access areas like boat ramps, swim beaches, and piers. This work is carried out in partnership with local government agencies and the W.E.T. Foundation, which treats plants along private shorelines not included in TVA’s treatment plan.

“By making plant identification easier for everyone, this new online tool helps the public become more informed and engaged stewards of Guntersville Reservoir,” said Rick Roden, W.E.T. Foundation Board Chair. “That kind of awareness is essential to the shared effort between TVA, our organization, local partners, and communities to protect the places we all enjoy.”

Learn more about how TVA manages aquatic plants.