WINONA, Minn – Boaters, kayakers and other outdoors people should avoid certain Mississippi River backwaters through July 1. Crews are applying the aquatic herbicide Diquat to get rid of butomus umbellatus – an invasive plant more commonly called flowering rush, grassy rush; water gladiolus and butomus junceus turcz. It’s a moderately tall, rush-like perennial tat has been taking over backwaters since 2020. Off limits:
> Pool 4 (upriver from Alma): specifically Big Lake and Catfish slough near Nelson.
> Pool 5 (upriver from Minneiska): Weaver Bottoms near Weaver.
> Pool 7 (upriver from Dresbach): Proudfoot Chute. Dresbach Island and main channel areas near Dresbach .
> Pool 8 (upriver from Genoa): Shady Maple overlook near Stoddard.
Flowering rush. PLM Lakes and Land Management Corporation of Shakopee holds a $213,000 contract to treat 1,100 acres.