Released in late June, the 200 young carp are currently acclimating to their new environment and beginning to feed. However, because Hydrilla grows at its fastest rate during the hot peak-summer months, the carp cannot immediately out-eat the active growth. Visible progress will be minimal during this initial summer.

While the carp steadily feed through the warmest months, Aquatic Vegetation Monitoring (AVM) volunteers submit critical monthly reports (July, August, and September). This continuous citizen-science data tracks active growth areas and helps TLAC map exactly where the carp are making an impact. A summary of the AVM reports will be shared with the Smith Mountain Lake Association (SMLA) and Appalachian Power Company (APCO) as reference for their fall surveys.

The TLAC Environmental Committee reviews the compiled community data alongside professional lake surveys conducted by the SMLA and APCO. This provides a complete picture of the 2026 vegetative canopy.

Data compiled from the SMLA and APCO surveys, combined with the reports from AVM, will be evaluated to determine the effectiveness of the current population of Sterile Grass Carp and whether a secondary maintenance restocking or other remediative action is necessary. 

Because biological control is a gradual, cumulative process, an additional stocking may be considered to maintain control of the Hydrilla canopy.