Hydrilla Infestation Statistics and Data

The Scope of the Invasion

Understanding the true scale of the Hydrilla verticillata invasion requires looking at the raw data. Since its introduction in the 1950s, hydrilla has proven to be one of the most statistically overwhelming invasive species in North America.

Researchers track hydrilla's impact through several key metrics: acreage affected, growth rates, reproductive capacity, and economic management costs.

Geographic and Economic Data

The financial and geographic statistics underscore why state agencies consider hydrilla a top-tier threat:

• Geographic Spread: Found in at least 33 states. The dioecious biotype dominates the South, while the monoecious biotype has pushed into northern climates.
• Florida's Burden: At its peak in the late 1990s, hydrilla covered nearly 100,000 acres of Florida's public waters. Today, aggressive management keeps it closer to 20,000 acres, but at a massive cost.
• Annual Spending: The state of Florida routinely spends $15 million to $30 million annually simply to manage hydrilla on public waters.
• National Cost: When factoring in private lake treatments, lost recreational revenue, and infrastructure damage, the national economic impact is estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars annually.