Life on the Delta is all about the water. That’s likely why you moved to Delta Coves. Just beyond your backdoor and off your private dock, you can motor, sail, paddle, ski or swim.
While ultimately, the California Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) is responsible for Delta waters, including the Delta Coves lagoon, we all play a role in protecting our beloved Delta. This shared responsibility is especially important to manage the growth of non-native aquatic vegetation. They monitor for several species of submersed and floating aquatic vegetation. Their team regularly visits Delta Coves to monitor and survey for Egeria Densa, or Brazilian Waterweed. This is the primary species growing within the Delta Coves lagoon. The DBW treats this species with Diquat while following compliance and biological opinions from seven government agencies. Their treatment safely keeps our lagoon clear and it is safe for swimming within an hour of application.
The lagoon was on the DBW’s 2022 herbicide treatment season. Their team treated the lagoon twice in 2022, reducing the submersed vegetation biovolume from 37% to 5%. With such great results from 2022, Delta Coves is a low priority location for the 2023 season.
And while we saw a very successful 2023 treatment season, homeowners are responsible for maintaining their lagoon zone. This includes removing aquatic vegetation growth around and behind your dock and riprap growth.
DBW can only manage aquatic vegetation up to your dock. This is where the partnership comes in. Homeowners must maintain the vegetation around and behind their private docks per the Residential Design Guidelines.
Growing season for non-native aquatic vegetation is March through October, with peak growing season when temperatures reach above 90 degrees. Maintenance is key, too, as small patches of vegetation can easily multiply, quickly getting out of control.
DBW covers a lot of water — more than 100,000 miles of Delta waterways. Learn more and stay informed by:
- Participating in Safety & Education workshops.
- Registering for weekly notices of DBW treatments. Delta Coves is treatment site 171.
- Report these aquatic invasive plants from the DBW’s Watch List via email.
What you can do
Riprap growth
- Like yard and sidewalk weeds, it’s best to pull regularly while they’re small.
- DCMC does not recommend using herbicide spray. However, if you must, please use an aquatic safe or natural option. And do not spray near the waterline.
- Neighbors have found pulling the small weeds that pop up after rains is the best timing.
Aquatic vegetation
- Pull aquatic vegetation regularly from your dock easement. Your neighbors recommend using the T-Weeder, a sturdy aquatic vegetation rake that pulls vegetation directly from the root. Herbicides and chemicals are prohibited by state and federal guidelines; use can come with up to $30,000 in fines plus jail time. It is not recommended to use a razor rake as Brazilian Waterweed will continue growing after it’s been separated from the plant.
- Growing season is March through October. Increase the frequency of vegetation removal during high growing season — May through September. Overgrown vegetation is more effort and more cost to remove.
- Coordinate with your neighbors. Plan a time when you’re all working together. If your neighbors are not caring for their lagoon zone, submit a Community Concern to the Delta Coves Community Life team.
- Dry the pulled vegetation on your dock. It can take about 24 hours to dry.
- Dispose of dried vegetation properly. Most neighbors put into their green debris container for pickup. It can also be used for compost.
- Vegetation goes dormant during the cooler seasons, growing more slowly.
- Install a bubbler, or something similar, to keep the water flowing between your dock and riprap. Neighbors have researched de-icers, bubblers, and other aerators on Weeders Digest.
For homeowners that want to employ local companies to manage the vegetation around their docks, there are many to choose from. Ask your neighbors who they’ve hired. Delta Coves Community Life does not endorse nor recommend any one company over another.