Utah Lake Phragmites Control
An overview of the collaborative efforts to remove Phragmites from the Utah Lake shoreline
Introduction
Phragmites australis (Common Reed, or Phragmites) is an invasive grass-like plant that has taken over wetlands across North America. In 2012, Utah Lake wetlands had approximately 10,000 acres of Phragmites.
Phragmites invasion has numerous negative impacts including:
- Alteration of hydrology and sediment transport
- Conversion of diverse native wetland habitat into homogenous, fire-prone lands - decimating migratory bird habitat
- Significant access impediment for recreation and rescue
Since 2014, a major collaborative effort to mitigate invasive vegetation along the shores of Utah Lake has been underway. Collaboration between FFSL, Utah County, The Utah Lake Commission, Utah Dept. of Agriculture, and Utah's Watershed Restoration Initiative has enabled huge progress with Phragmites. Each year phragmites is sprayed with herbicide at the end of the growing season and then the dead phragmites is trampled down by specialized wetland tractors during the winter.
Treatments
The amphibious Marsh Master is a key tool in Phragmites mitigation.
The interactive map below shows annual treatment data. Press play to see the treatments over the years. Zoom in or out to view different areas of the lake.
Project Success
Use the slider below to see the visual difference observable from aerial imagery.
Imagery on the left from 2011 shows the Phragmites infestation on the shoreline. Imagery on the right from 2020 shows that same area after Phragmites has been nearly eliminated by many years of Phragmites control treatments.
Research-backed best management practices, collaboration, and persistence has paid off. As of 2023, Phragmites cover has been reduced by approximately 74%! Continue scrolling to see before and after photos that show how the shoreline has transformed.
Before
This bay was filled in with Phragmites.
After
The bay is opened back up.
Before
Phragmites covers the lakebed.
After
Open water.
Before
Looking south from the north shore of the lake. You cannot even see the lake.
After
Looking southeast from the north shore of the lake. The entire shoreline has been opened up. Native cattails repopulated the shallow water. Bird use is now heavy along this portion of the shoreline.
Restoration and Revegetation
In 2021, re-establishment of native vegetation was observed in many areas around the lake. Each year since, more native vegetation has been observed.
Ongoing monitoring takes place to determine next steps for the project. An ongoing research collaboration between FFSL and Utah State University's Wetland Ecology Lab is informing revegetation needs and approaches.
Native vegetation re-establishes after Phragmites is eliminated - creating better habitat for wildlife, restoring the lake to a more natural state, preventing Phragmites reinvasion, and allowing access and visibility.
