1999 When Salvinia molesta was first discovered in the lake, many feared its effects on the endangered birds. The Hawaiian gallinule.

By mid-April, Salvinia molesta had created a massive band of floating plants around the upper margins of Enchanted Lake.

Salvinia molesta became most abundant in the freshwater wetlands upstream of Enchanted Lake, and in the channels that connect the lake to the wetlands, where salinity can rapidly fluctuate between 0-15 ppt.

The main body of Enchanted Lake has a salinity of 20 ppt.  Salvinia molesta will not survive for more than a few hours in the high salinity levels of the lagoon.

George Theofaris’ kayak creates a wake in the blanket of Salvinia molesta as he helps with the first clean-up efforts in the accessible portions of Enchanted Lake. 17 April 1999.

Local volunteers and State Dept. of Natural Resources employees joined forces to mechanically remove Salvinia molesta.  A local hardware store donated light weight plastic rakes and screen.  The crew lined the inside of the rakes with hardware cloth, attaching it with cable ties, to collect the floating plant fragments. 
17 April 1999.

Dedicated volunteers gave up their seats and used their kayaks to tote Salvinia molesta from the freshwater portions of the lake. 
17 April 1999.

After a hard days work, the first clean-up efforts near completion.
17 April 1999.

Volunteers placed booms in the less accessible upstream areas to contain the remaining Salvinia molesta. 
17 April 1999.

The booms were only temporary measures in an attempt to try to contain Salvinia molesta.  Periodic storms often dislodged booms causing plants to escape. 
21 April 1999.

Enchanted Lake after the successful removal of Salvinia molesta,
21 April 1999.

Repeated efforts by volunteers assisted by the impact of occasional incoming high tides have effectively abated the infestation of Salvinia molesta in Enchanted Lake.