N.C. officials hoping carp will fight weeds in lakes

Raleigh, N.C. (AP) – State officials are hoping thousands of
carp they will put in lakes will help fight weeds that are invading
the shallow portions of the impoundments.

The state Division of Water Resources said it plans to put
nearly 4,000 grass carp into lakes to fight hydrilla. The fish eat
the weed that uses up oxygen other fish need and clog water intakes
and boat propellers.

Carp will be put in several lakes Friday. The division said
Belews Lake in Rockingham County, Lake Howell in Cabarrus County
and lakes Norman, Mountain Island and Wylie in Mecklenburg County
will receive a total of 3,950 carp. The largest numbers will go
into the largest lakes, Norman and Wylie.

Hydrilla was brought to the United States in the 1950s as an
aquarium plant.