El Salvador's largest lake is overrun by aquatic weeds polluted by pollution

Authorities said Tuesday that the proliferation of water lettuce in El Salvador's largest wetlands reservoir, Lake Suchitlan (also known as Lake Suchitlan), is threatening a vital source of hydropower production for the country as well as species and local communities.

Residents, armed with excavators, dump trucks, and other tools, venture out daily to the reservoir to remove large swathes the bright green aquatic plant, which is growing rapidly because of flows of nutrient, debris, and pollution, which have been exacerbated due to seasonal downpours.

This invasive free-floating plant, which is generally not considered edible by humans, can choke native plants and choke out waterways.

El Salvador's biggest freshwater reservoir plays an important role in hydropower operations. The site is a wetland that hosts a variety of aquatic species, migratory bird species, and native plants.

CEL, the local hydroelectric commission of the government, reports that since late July, workers cleared vegetation equivalent to nine soccer fields from the surface of the water, weighing approximately 1,270 metric tonnes. Reporting by Nelson Renteria, Editing by Sarah Morland & Lincoln Feast.

(source: Reuters)