The Lotus plant has returned to the White Park pond and now covers half of the water surface and according to city officials, it is the primary plant genus of concern within the pond at this time.The Parks and Recreation department is looking at two options for a short-term and long-term solution to the issue of it taking over the entire two-acre pond. First, there is Hydro raking. This process was done last December by SOLitude Lake Management where using a barge-like boat that removes sediment and Lotus plant and most of the materials from the area. Second, dredging the pond to lower the water level. There are two options with dredging and could be much more costly. SOLitude Lake Management will be coming in August to try the first option.
The Lotus plant has returned to the White Park pond and now covers half of the water surface and according to city officials, it is the primary plant genus of concern within the pond at this time.The Parks and Recreation department is looking at two options for a short-term and long-term solution to the issue of it taking over the entire two-acre pond. First, there is Hydro raking. This process was done last December by SOLitude Lake Management where using a barge-like boat that removes sediment and Lotus plant and most of the materials from the area. Second, dredging the pond to lower the water level. There are two options with dredging and could be much more costly. SOLitude Lake Management will be coming in August to try the first option. Credit: GEOFF FORESTER—Monitor staff

The invasive Lotus plant is now covering about half of Concord’s two-acre White Park pond.

The Parks and Recreation department is looking at short-term and long-term options to manage and ultimately eradicate the plant.

Late last fall, the pond underwent a procedure to clear enough of the plants so ice could form without disruption ahead of the winter skating season. In August, and again in October, a mechanical harvester will again be used ahead of winter to manage the plant.

The city now has two options for a plan that will eradicate the plant by next year.

The first option is dredging, which is both complex and costly. Another option is hydro-raking, which uses a barge like boat to remove sediment and Lotus plant and most of the materials. The city is currently assessing costs and the effectiveness of both options. In either case, a long-term management plan will be used to keep the plant, which can lay dormant for years, from returning.

For more information on the issue visit concordnh.gov/1896/White-Park-Pond.