Oklahoma City Deploys Goats to Clear Canal Weeds

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The city of Oklahoma City has turned to an unusual solution to clear weeds and kudzu growing along the steep banks of the Lake Hefner Canal - deploying a herd of goats to graze on the vegetation. The goats, overseen by a team of field operators, are being used as an environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional weed clearing methods.

Why it matters

Kudzu, an invasive vine species, has been a persistent problem along the canal banks, with traditional clearing methods often proving difficult and costly due to the steep terrain. The use of goats provides a natural, sustainable solution that avoids the use of harmful chemicals or machinery in sensitive ecological areas.

The details

The goats, provided by a local farm, are being carefully monitored by a team of field operators who ensure the herd is grazing effectively and not causing any damage. The goats are able to access the steep, hard-to-reach areas along the canal banks where other clearing methods would be impractical.

• The goats were deployed to the Lake Hefner Canal in March 2026.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The city plans to monitor the goats' progress and effectiveness in clearing the canal banks over the coming months, with the potential to expand the program to other areas if successful.