Why is applying herbicides to flowing water a concern?

Applying herbicides to flowing water raises significant concerns, primarily due to the potential for downstream impacts. Herbicides can travel with the current, affecting areas that were not directly treated. This poses a risk to various uses of the water downstream, such as recreational activities, irrigation, and drinking water supply. If herbicides contaminate the water supply, it can lead to harmful effects on aquatic life, disrupt ecosystems, and cause health issues for humans and animals who rely on that water.

In addition to this concern, herbicides can cause unintended consequences in the ecosystem, such as affecting non-target species and causing imbalances in populations of aquatic organisms. Therefore, the use of these chemicals must be carefully managed and monitored to prevent widespread and potentially harmful effects beyond the targeted area.