Manage invasive and overgrown aquatic vegetation in lakes, rivers, and wetlands. Solutions include mechanical harvesting and safe plant control methods.
An aquatic plant harvester has been used to scoop up the floating islands of vegetation that have built up on the lake for decades. The process will make the lake easier to navigate for fishermen and other boaters, and should improve the fishing there as well, state experts say. “It will improve the habitat of
At 8.4 square miles, Candlewood Lake in Western Connecticut is the largest lake in the state. It is a popular year-round tourist destination, and the area is home to many second homes of New York City residents. The lake has an ongoing problem with the growth of eelgrass and Eurasian milfoil in the shallower areas.
The role the WT-34 Aquatic Canal Cleaner plays in the canals of Miami, Florida is an important one. The Weed Tow Boat cruises the canals removing aquatic weeds from the canal system. Without the use of the boats, water flow becomes constricted, creating floods in and around the Miami area. The innovative porpoise-style hull and
The Lake Wausau Association is hoping to remove several hundred pounds of Curly-leaf Pondweed from the water and they’re working non-stop to make sure it happens as soon as possible. Curly leaf pondweed grows under the ice during the winter, but in the summer months it dies off after it reproduces. As it dies and
Seagrass, kelp beds, mangroves, and other aquatic vegetation are often considered “ecosystem engineers” for their ability to essentially create their own habitats: Aquatic leaves and reeds slow the flow of water, encouraging sediments to settle nearby to form a foundation on which more plants can grow. Such underwater forests provide shelter to hundreds of organisms,
Former firefighter and current aquatic plant harvester operator, Michael “Mike” Ordyna’s instincts took over when he witnessed a woman slip on her boat dock and fall into Lake Buel in Massachusetts. Ordyna quickly jumped into the woman, rescued the woman and safety swam them both to safety then rushed to call 911. After EMTs and
Aquatic plants provide habitat for fish and aquatic insects, and provide oxygen to the water when the sun is out. When there is excessive aquatic plant growth, problems arise as those additional plants consume oxygen during the night and on cloudy days. This can drive oxygen levels down, which could be detrimental to the fish.
When Pflugerville officials saw hydrilla and pondweed overtaking parts of Lake Pflugerville they called in the Moss Monster. The fast-growing aquatic plants can overcrowd a body of water, which hinders recreational activities and disrupts the ecosystem. Park and city officials fight back against the aquatic plants with mechanical trimmers and specialized fish. For James Wills,
Black Hawk Lake in Iowa will have an aquatic vegetation harvester operating for the fourth year in a row to manage plant growth in the waters near Lake View. Lake View City Administrator, Scott Peterson, says they have developed a system to manage the weeds in a way which benefits all users of the lake.
