The waters of El Salvador’s Lake Suchitlan are normally busy with fishermen and tourists — but this year, you’d be forgiven for thinking it isn’t a lake at all.

The wetland, known for its biodiversity, has been overrun by a floating plant that feeds on chemical pollution, almost completely covering its surface and making it look like a lush, light-green field.

Fed by the waters of the mighty Lempa River, Suchitlan is a 13,500-hectare artificial lake built around 1976, and supplies the Cerron Grande hydroelectric power station.

The massive spread of Pistia stratiotes, commonly known as water lettuce, has paralyzed the local tourism and fishing trades, leaving boatmen without income and restaurants on the shore empty.

“The truth is that the (plant) has affected us every year, but now it

See Full Page