At first glance, Hydrilla may not seem like a problem. It is, after all, just another green plant growing in our waterways. But anyone who has spent time on the Rainbow River knows that when Hydrilla gets established, it doesn’t simply grow—it takes over.
Hydrilla is an aggressive invasive plant that can grow into incredibly long strands, sometimes reaching 10, 12, 15 or even 20 feet. Those strands intertwine and form dense mats that can become nearly impenetrable to people and larger animals. They can also wrap around boat propellers and motors, making boating difficult and potentially causing serious mechanical problems.
But the impacts go far beyond inconveniencing boaters.
When Hydrilla becomes too dense, it changes the habitat available to fish and other aquatic wildlife. Thick mats can cover the river bottom, leaving little open space for fish to move, feed and spawn. Native aquatic vegetation and the sandy river bottom become increasingly difficult for fish to access.
When habitat becomes concentrated into a few remaining open areas, those areas can also become easy places for fish to congregate. That can create additional pressure on fish populations because what little habitat remains becomes heavily used.
And now, in September 2026, we are seeing another example of just how unpredictable Hydrilla can be.
This year, Hydrilla has become a significant problem in the Withlacoochee River downstream from the Rainbow River. During the drought, the unusually clear water coming from the Rainbow River allowed sunlight to penetrate farther into the normally darker, tannin-stained waters of the Withlacoochee. That additional sunlight appears to have provided Hydrilla with the conditions it needed to grow much more extensively than we have seen in the past.
Then the rains came.
The Hydrilla that had grown during the drought became tangled into dense masses in the Withlacoochee River, creating what looks like a natural dam. The vegetation is restricting the movement of water and contributing to flooding concerns upstream, including areas along the Withlacoochee and affecting the Rainbow River.
This is an important reminder that our waterways are connected. What happens in one part of the system can quickly affect another.
Local authorities are paying attention. The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office has issued an alert, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is looking into the situation. We also need to understand what can safely and effectively be done on the ground—or, in this case, on the water. I have been working to find someone with an airboat so we can get into these areas, assess the situation firsthand and determine whether there are ways that residents and volunteers can safely assist.
The larger lesson, however, is one we should not overlook.
Just when we think we understand what Hydrilla is going to do, conditions change and the plant finds another opportunity to spread. Drought, rainfall and water clarity can all influence aquatic vegetation. An invasive plant that seems manageable in one location can become a major problem somewhere else.
That is why I am so encouraged that we are actively working to remove Hydrilla from the Rainbow River.
Our goal is not simply to remove an invasive plant. Our goal is to restore a healthy, functioning river by bringing back native vegetation such as eelgrass. Native plants can provide habitat and create open areas where fish and other wildlife can thrive. They can also provide a river environment where people can continue to swim, paddle, boat and enjoy the incredible natural beauty that makes the Rainbow River so special.
We have an opportunity to get ahead of the problem rather than constantly reacting to it.
Hydrilla has shown us that it will take every opportunity it can get. We need to do the same—with restoration, cooperation and a commitment to protecting our waterways.
Let’s work together to remove Hydrilla, restore native plants and give the Rainbow River and the connected Withlacoochee River the healthy future they deserve.
For more information, contact One Rake At A Time at www.OneRakeAtATime.org.
Thank you.
Art Jones