The Centre of Biological Control (CBC) of Rhodes University said this week hyacinth cover on the Hartbeespoort Dam is an estimated 15%.

“The CBC has released approximately 375 000 Megamelus scutellaris hyacinth hoppers on the dam since the end of August. Our monthly surveys on the dam indicate the number of hoppers is increasing steadily and as expected,” Dr Kelby English of CBC said.
“The trend for hyacinth growth and hopper numbers is similar to last year. If the trends continue like this we should start noticing hyacinth cover stabilising in January and declining by February and March. One difference is, that due to the low water level, the hyacinth mat is mostly seedlings. Sunlight is reaching soil which would be too deep at higher water levels and old seeds are germinating. This will change when the rains come, but that will also bring more nutrients down rivers from Johannesburg and Pretoria.”
Hyacinth coverage in November last year was 15% and increased to 32% in January 2024, according to the CBC.