UPDATE: On September 16th, 2020, the Athens Municipal Water Authority (AMWA) issued the following press release confirming a second infestation of Giant Salvinia on Lake Athens:
“ATHENS, TEXAS – On Tuesday and Wednesday of this week the biologists from the Aquatic Habitat Enhancement team with Texas Parks and Wildlife conducted a comprehensive vegetation survey of the shoreline of Lake Athens.
It has been confirmed that small amounts of Giant Salvinia have been found on Lake Athens. TPWD is currently formulating a treatment and containment plan.
The Athens Municipal Water Authority will release more details as TPWD confirms further information.”
The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department posted a news release on February 21, 2018 stating that the extremely invasive, non-native plant, giant salvinia, had been found in multiple locations near the Lake Athens Marina boat ramp.