Picture this: you’re walking along the edge of your pond and notice long, leafy stems swaying gently beneath the surface. Small, oval-shaped leaves float near the top, forming patches of greenery across the water. Is this vibrant vegetation a boon for your pond’s ecosystem, or is it the first sign of a weed problem spiraling out of control?

The plant in question might be American pondweed (Potamogeton nodosus), a native aquatic species with complex benefits and downsides.

This blog will help you better understand its benefits and role in your pond and how to manage it when necessary.

American pondweed is a submerged aquatic plant native to North America. It thrives in ponds, lakes, and slow-moving rivers, usually rooting itself in shallow, freshwater environments. It spreads through rhizomes below the surface and creates a network of stems and leaves that may remain underwater or float on top.

Here’s how to recognize American pondweed in your waterbody:

• Submerged Leaves: Long, ribbon-like leaves that wave gently beneath the surface.
• Floating Leaves: Small, oval-shaped leaves rise to the water’s surface.
• Roots: Grows from rhizomes in sediment, firmly anchoring the plant.
• Location: Found widely across North America in various aquatic environments.

While it is a native plant, American pondweed can resemble invasive species like curly-leaf pondweed. Accurately identifying the aquatic plants in your waterbody is the first step toward effective management.

American pondweed can be a sign of a healthy, balanced pond when kept in check. Here’s why:

1. Supports Wildlife
The stems and leaves provide excellent habitat for fish, frogs, and aquatic insects, offering shelter, food, and spawning areas.

2. Improves Water Quality
Pondweed helps prevent turbidity by anchoring sediment and discourages poor water quality issues such as algal blooms, by absorbing excess nutrients that can fuel nuisance growth.

3. Native and Natural
Unlike invasive species, American pondweed fits naturally into aquatic ecosystems and rarely becomes dominant without other contributing factors.

Is American Pondweed Good or Bad for Ponds?
American pondweed is a native aquatic plant that supports water quality and fish habitat in moderate amounts. However, if it becomes overgrown, it can block recreation, crowd out native species, and require active management.
While it has many ecological benefits, knowing when to intervene is key to keeping your pond healthy and usable.

While American pondweed has ecological benefits, it doesn’t always stay in moderation. Under certain conditions, it can become a maintenance challenge for pond owners or managers.

Here’s how to tell if American pondweed is becoming problematic:

• Formation of dense mats on the water’s surface, especially during late summer.
• Interference with recreational activities like swimming, boating, or fishing.
• Clogged irrigation systems or pumps.
• Displacement of native aquatic vegetation and potential oxygen depletion.

Several factors can tip the balance and allow American pondweed to overrun your waterbody:

• Excess Nutrients: Fertilizer runoff and organic debris can fuel excessive growth.
• Warm, Shallow Water: Stagnant or slow-moving water creates ideal conditions for development.
• Lack of Maintenance: Without consistent management, pondweed can quickly become overgrown.

Even though it’s native, extreme growth can severely impair your pond’s usability and health.

If overgrowth becomes an issue, several effective strategies can be used to both manage American pondweed and maintain the ecological balance of your waterbody.

For more minor infestations, hand pulling is a simple and direct method.

• Use handheld tools like pond rakes or aquatic weed cutters to remove visible growth near the shoreline.
• Be sure to extract the entire plant, including the roots, as leftover rhizomes can quickly lead to regrowth.

Management doesn’t stop with removal. You’ll want to implement strategies that limit conditions supporting excessive pondweed growth:

• Reduce Nutrient Runoff: Create buffer zones around your pond to help filter out excess nutrients that come from fertilizers and debris.
• Encourage Water Movement: Use aerators to improve circulation in stagnant areas.
• Manage Abundant Nutrient Levels: Implement nutrient remediation solutions to help reduce phosphorus and nitrogen levels.
• Regular Monitoring: Check for early signs of overgrowth so you can act before it becomes severe.

Each pond is unique, so a customized plan can ensure effective management that aligns with your waterbody’s specific needs.

Eliminating all American pondweed isn’t necessary or beneficial. The key lies in finding the right balance based on your pond’s purpose and your aesthetic preferences.

At SOLitude Lake Management, we believe in solutions designed around your pond’s unique characteristics and needs. From assessments to treatment plans, our team of experts can help you establish the right balance of vegetation for your goals.

• American pondweed is a native plant that offers ecological benefits, including habitat support and water quality improvement.
• Overgrowth can interfere with pond usability, disrupt native diversity, and lead to oxygen depletion.
• Safe management options include manual removal, hydro-raking, grass carp, and herbicide application,
• Prevention is key to reducing overgrowth, with regular monitoring, nutrient control, and water movement strategies.
• The goal is to maintain pondweed’s benefits without overwhelming your pond.

If you’re unsure whether your pondweed is under control or how to begin a management plan, SOLitude’s team of aquatic experts is here to help. Contact us today to learn more about customized solutions that prioritize your pond’s health and goals.