As of April 2012, aquatic vegetation (586 acres hydrilla, 86 acres Eurasian watermilfoil, and a mix of other plants) covered 41% of Lake Austin. Because of its dense and rapid growth, hydrilla has the potential to impact virtually every one of Lake Austin's uses:
Intakes for drinking water, power generation and irrigation can be clogged
Shoreline access and boating traffic can be restricted
Swimmers can get tangled in its thick growth
Water quality may degrade as dense vegetation dies and decomposes
Plant and animal diversity will decline as hydrilla takes over
Property values can decrease as recreation is limited by dense plant growth
Hydrilla may spread downstream to Town Lake and the lower Colorado River.