Crews from the San Diego Urban Corps have been working over
the past month to remove a non-native invasive plant called water primrose from
the San Diego River.
Although the yellow flowers and green leaves of the water
primrose (Ludwigia hexapetala) seem harmless, this native of South
America grows in thick mats that slow the river’s flow, reduce the water’s
dissolved oxygen level and raise the water temperature. The vine-like plant
also provides excellent habitat for mosquito larvae.
The Urban Corps crew, which has focused on removing water
primrose along the Mission Creek/Mast Park section of the river, will be
working through early December.
Urban Corps is a locally based nonprofit organization that
provides a high school education and job training to at-risk youth and
disadvantaged young adults from ages 18 to 25.
The primrose removal will hopefully result in fewer
mosquitoes buzzing the neighborhoods along the river next summer.
The project was made possible by a grant of nearly $50,000
from the County Department of Environmental Health, Vector Control Division.
