Integrated Weed Control
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NID's thermal weed control unit.
To prevent algae and other growth from clogging canals, limiting access and affecting water deliveries, NID conducts an integrated program of weed management.With more than 400 miles of canals in Nevada and Placer counties, weed control is a big job for the district.
Over the years, chemical weed control has been the most effective method of keeping the water flowing, but the district is also using new and different methods.
Two commercial products are mainstays of NID’s aquatic weed control program. They are Cutrine and Magnacide-H, which are applied by licensed applicators under permits granted by the county agricultural commissioner. Herbicide FAQ's. Aquatic weed control is generally conducted during the irrigation season, which runs from April into October.
Each year, the district plans and publishes a Seasonal Application Schedule, and also notifies nearby water users when applications are planned on various canals.
Environmentally Friendly
Herds of goats, brought in by local agriculturalists,
have proven to be successful weed control workers.
The district continues to try several innovative and environmentally friendly methods of weed control. These include tests with UC Davis researchers of acetic acid, or common household vinegar that when applied to dry canal bottoms can limit growth of aquatic weeds.
Other tests have included applications of barley straw and corn gluten, berm grading, seeding programs and weed tarps. District specialists have been looking into hot air and hot steam weed control equipment.
One successful and rather old-fashioned effort has been the use of goats to control weeds around district reservoirs. Herds of goats, brought in by local agriculturalists, have munched weeds and proven to be successful weed control workers.
NID is Now Using Thermal Weed Control
A tractor-mounted thermal weed control unit is the latest tool in NID’s battle to control weeds around canals, reservoirs and easements.
The $17,000 propane-powered unit from Sunburst, Inc. of Eugene, Oregon, uses high temperatures (132 degrees and above) to eliminate seedling weeds. Repeated applications can even eliminate established plants, according to the manufacturer.
NID Asst. Maintenance Supt. for Weed Control Bruce Early says the unit is proving effective as the district seeks to limit its use of chemical weed control.
While approved herbicides remain as the most effective method of weed control, the district’s holistic approach also includes goat and sheep grazing, vinegar and barley straw applications, mowing, cutting and other methods.
Early said the thermal unit has been valuable during the wet winter and spring months when other techniques may not be practical. Limited use of the thermal unit is planned in the warm months because of heat and potential fire danger.