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I think it was water lettuce not hyacinth and it is under control at the moment thanks to a little weevil brought here from OZ.
I did an alien plants course in Kruger run by HR's and it was very interesting. They took us to Skukuza to see how they treat all the alien species with different things in portable swimming pools. They were also cultivating the cochineal beetle to use on prickly pears in the park.
Perhaps you will find more information under Scientific Services.

sunset dam was cleared quite a long time ago. Last week i saw Orpen dam is completely covered with the same watter lettuce/hyacinth. There is a sign up syaing they are testing out some alien plants they plan on using to remove the watter lettuce but just need to make sure they will not kill off anything else.

Thanks Tonil and Freda.

I heardvabout this thing with the weavils when it was still being considerd.

As I understand it the ones that stayed in Oz becam known as the "lesser of the two weavils".

BH, you might be interested in the water hyacinth topic in the Plants Forum.

I was at sunset dam last week, still cleared, so whatever they did worked.

Thanks Restio, Christo.

The article was a bit above the level at which I was interested, but I ploughed on gamely.

A question arises though on the weevil and the control of it once it has "done it's work". There was some concern expressed anout it detroying other flora (vegitation) in the park or areas where it may have been used. This is a concern of mine as well and I don't see any comments on that aspect.

BTW, does anyone know how the whole hyacinth invasion began in SA. I was at Hartebeespoort dam a couple of years ago and the smell of the place put me off to the extent that I will never go back there again. (Not parks related but related to this specific problem).

(Mods, please feel free to move this topic or merge it with the thread dealing with Hyacinth if deemed appropriate.)

I am glad though that Sunset dam has been cleared. It is such a cool spot for a sundowner just before the gates close. I have also enjoyed being there just to watch the aerobatics of the bee eaters. I found them fascinating to watch.

Thanks, just did.

I saw some of it near Anna Ledeboers grave 2 years ago, but there were signs that Working for Water (old name, forgot the new one) was working there as well. I'll dig up the photos.

Further reading on the topic: Water Lettuce.