Treating water weeds in the Highland Lakes? Here’s what you need to know

March 5, 2026

Lakeside property owners on lakes Buchanan, Inks, LBJ, Marble Falls and Travis must have an approved treatment plan before managing or removing invasive aquatic plants such as hydrilla, water hyacinth, Eurasian watermilfoil and rockstar eelgrass.

Why it matters: Invasive plants can spread rapidly, and improper removal can make things worse.

Physical removal is preferred, but invasive plants spread through fragmentation, so all plant material must be contained, then black-bagged, fully dried or composted before disposal.

If using herbicides: It’s best to hire a licensed applicator, and anyone on Inks Lake, Lake LBJ and Lake Marble Falls must follow the treatment zone schedule for your lake. Herbicides may only be applied during specific time windows. Use the interactive map to find your property’s zone and treatment dates.

What to do first: Submit a treatment proposal to both TPWD and LCRA before doing anything.

  • Include a completed treatment proposal form, a map of the treatment area and photos of the problem

Approval or denial comes within 14 days.

Leave native plants alone. Species like coontail, American pondweed and spatterdock support fish habitat and should stay in place.