[USCC] water hyacinth

[Dan De Grassi]

Dear USCC Community-
We have a 22 acre lake that has become infested with water hyacinth and
our Parks Department is exploring options for management of the material
after it has been removed and ground up. I have several questions, to
wit:
1. What amount of material might be there? We've heard estimates of
16,000 yds and 100,000 yds. Is there a standard method to calculate? Is
there a typical volume to weight factor?
2. What issues are involved in composting, other than the high moisture
content?
3. Is it the kind of material that compost operations might want as a
feedstock?
4. How easy is it to dry this stuff? How much volume reduction happens?
5. Does it have any feed value for livestock?
6. Are there issues with straight land application?
Thanks for any info provided,
Dan deGrassi
Santa Cruz County DPW
831-454-3102