DYBERRY TOWNSHIP -- It's the end of summer but just the beginning of a battle on one pond in Wayne County against an invasive weed.
Dave Falvo gave us an up-close look at the culprit: a fast-growing, resilient weed in Long Pond near Honesdale called hydrilla.
Falvo grew up on Long Pond, also known as Lake Alden, and is worried by what he's seeing beneath the water's surface.
"I don’t think this is anything that can be solved easily. It’s very complex. This is a plant that’s hearty and a survivor," he said.
Just within the last few years, hydrilla has grown up along the shoreline of Long Pond spreading more every year. One of the things experts said you shouldn't do is take a rake to it to pull it out because it causes hydrilla to spread more.
"It's problematic for most of the cottagers because so many people who come here for recreation, swimming and boating really interferes with that," said Oak Wojtkowski who spends summers on the pond.
Hydrilla can cut off sunlight choking off natural vegetation.
Most concerning, conservation officials said it can spread very easily likely by humans who don't take the proper precautions.
"Making sure you check your boat and your gear for pieces of the plants and dry out gear before going into another water body," said Jamie Knecht with the Wayne Conservation District.
"We have to protect the other lakes in the area. We have to make sure it doesn’t get into other lakes," said Falvo.
Hydrilla has been found in other parts of the Poconos and even Harveys Lake in Luzerne County.
