More carp to be released in Lake Austin to cut down on invasive plant species

Editor's Note: The video above is from KXAN's newscast on July 14, 2025

AUSTIN (KXAN) 一 In a move to mow down a wave of invasive plants, the city of Austin will release sterile grass carp in Lake Austin later this fall.

Currently around 30% of the lake is covered with hydrilla, which is not native to Lake Austin; the overall vegetation level for the lake is only supposed to be 40% on the high-end. The lake now sees 5% more coverage than was reported in June, according to a Friday news release.

Hydrilla, an aquatic plant native to Asia, first appeared in Lake Austin in 1999. What makes the plant so concerning is that it can grow at a rate of over one inch per day, can cause flooding, choke waterways, make navigation difficult for swimmers and boats.

“Grass carp prefer to eat hydrilla an