That connection does not stop on land. It continues below the surface of our lakes, rivers, and wetlands. Aquatic plants play a critical role in maintaining water quality and supporting life. They produce oxygen, stabilize sediments, absorb nutrients, and provide essential habitat for fish, waterfowl, and invertebrates. In many ways, they are the foundation of a healthy aquatic ecosystem. Without them, water bodies can quickly lose balance.

However, like any natural system, balance is key. Too little vegetation can lead to erosion, poor habitat, and declining water quality. Too much growth can restrict water flow, limit recreation, and contribute to issues like low oxygen levels and algae blooms as plants die and decompose. Excess nutrients from runoff, changing weather patterns, and other environmental pressures can all shift that balance in the wrong direction.

Managing aquatic plants is not about removing them entirely. It is about maintaining a healthy, functional system. Mechanical harvesting and targeted removal can control excessive growth while preserving beneficial vegetation. Aquarius Systems has worked with lake managers, municipalities, and contractors to remove overgrowth in a way that improves water flow, supports recreation, and helps maintain overall water quality.

Healthy aquatic plant communities lead to clearer water, stronger ecosystems, and better recreational opportunities. Whether you are managing a lake, river, or pond, understanding the role of aquatic plants is an important step toward long term water health.

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Last year, high, turbid waters and a layer of sediment carried into the lake by flooding and rainfall reduced weed growth, explained Cushing. With clear water and low lake levels this summer, those familiar with the bay were expecting more weed growth than they’ve seen, but Cushing believes the sediment may also be helping to suppress weed growth this summer.

SAAWA removes 400 to 500 tons of weeds from the lake each summer with the help of an Aquarius Systems Aquatic Weed Harvester. The weeds contain a lot of water, Cushing explained and once they dry out, 40 to 50 tons of organic matter remains. Removal of the weeds prevents the weeds from dying and decaying in the water where they would release phosphorus and nitrogen, the very nutrients that feed algae blooms.

Currently the weed growth is outstripping our ability to pull them out of the lake, but we are convinced there are benefits to removing as much growth as possible, before it decomposes, spoiling water quality, increasing phosphorus as well as producing conditions for blue green algae growth.

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This 1990 Aquarius Systems HM-320 Aquatic Plant Harvester is still running strong, a testament to the craftmanship!

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Juneau, Alaska, airport manager, Dave Palmer said staff tried herbicide and various other items to rid the pond on aquatic weeds, but to no avail. The weeds can get tangled in the steering controls of the float planes and they also attract unwanted water fowl near the aircrafts. Both can result in serious accidents. However, the 20 year old Aquarius Systems aquatic plant harvester seems to be working far better than previous year’s efforts to eradicate the weeds in the pond.

The aquatic weed harvester arrived in Townsville, Queensland, Australia from Aquarius Systems in the United States to replace Council’s older retiring harvester. The new model includes stainless steel fittings, a quieter engine, and the capacity to complete in one hour what the old harvester could do in one day.

“The harvester is an essential piece of equipment to remove invasive species like salvinia, water hyacinth and cabomba, which are native to the Americas,” Cr Molachino said.

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The U.S. Commercial Service recently presented an Export Achievement Award to one of its longtime clients, Aquarius Systems of North Prairie, Wisconsin. The company was lauded for its contributions to water purification in Malawi and for expanding into the South Sudan. Using the Aquarius Systems’ Swamp Devil Aquatic Vegetation Shredder as boats traveled through swamps to deliver food, the UN was able to provide sustenance to more remote African locations after devastating floods.

Shown here with the award (right to left) are Diane Farrell, Deputy Under Secretary for International Trade; Jane Dauffenbach, President/Owner, Aquarius Systems, U.S. Commercial Service Milwaukee Director Koreen Grube, and International Trade Specialist Shari Stout.

Marine debris is not a new problem, but there is a growing awareness to the pollution problem. Aquarius Systems has been skimming trash long before it became such a cause for alarm. In 1974, officials in Venice, Italy, needed a way to remove the floating debris from the canals, which was openly used as a dumpster.  An Aquatic Weed Harvester was modified with collection wings and a few other upgrades and what we like to call the Trash Hunter, was exported to Venice.

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Innovative Technologies for Lake Management

Africas’ Lake Victoria is the second largest freshwater lake in the world. It is less than 260 feet at its deepest point. For nearly ten years a growing water hyacinth infestation has wreaked havoc on the neighboring countries. Massive islands have formed that blow around from one region of the lake to another, like big green icebergs. When one of these masses settles into a port or bay, it paralyzes local fishing and transportation.

The Solution

Aquarius Systems proposed using three Swamp Devil Aquatic Vegetation Shredders to perform the work.  The Swamp Devil is a powerful machine fitted with two circular cutting blades on the bow that also serve to propel and steer the vessel.  By using a special double blade system, the machine could shred the water hyacinth into small pieces.

Read: Managing Aquatic Plants on a Massive Scale

Naval officers representing 30 countries recently visited the Global Water Center to learn what private companies, nongovernmental organizations and universities are doing to address worldwide water crises.

The Naval Officers heard from a business that uses sensors to measure water levels to help communities understand flood risks; a septage treatment system project that reduced human exposure to pathogens in fecal sludge and visited the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Freshwater Sciences to learn about research happening there. 

Aquarius Systems, a member of The Water Council was honored to be invited to explain how our machines such as the Aquatic Vegetation Cutters, Trash Skimmers and Amphibious Excavators help clear the surfaces of lakes and river, allowing them to continue using the water for drinking, irrigation, and hydropower.

As naval leaders, they can use what they learned to address water problems in their own countries.  Water is the most basic of necessities and sharing local expertise is in the best interest of everyone.

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