aquatic plants – Aquarius-Systems

Aquatic Plants Keep Water Healthy

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 21:29:58 +0000

Did you know some animals, like apes, use plants for healing? Humans have long observed these behaviors in the wild and adapted them into medicine. It is just one example of how connected plants, animals, and people really are. A healthy plant animal human chain can make the world a better, healthier place. But as our environments become more connected, there are also growing threats to plant ecosystems that are hard to ignore.

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.

Aquatic Plant Data Collection in Michigan’s Inland Lakes

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 21:22:15 +0000

Aquatic plants play a crucial role in freshwater ecosystems, offering essential habitats for fish and supporting a wide range of ecosystem services. Known as macrophytes, these plants grow in or around water and can either be rooted in soil or float, with some being partially or fully submerged.

Researchers from Michigan State University surveyed 78 lakes in northern Michigan to gain a better understanding of the vegetation within to gain a better understanding of the distribution and abundance of macrophytes in Michigan’s inland lakes.

A primary objective of the project was aimed at demonstrating how a larger dataset informs application approval and thus macrophyte management, with the hope that the model can be used across the state in the future as there are several factors to consider with aquatic vegetation removal.

Using the surveys explored in the MDNR project, the team can focus on efficient and cost-effective ways of finding invasive macrophytes before they pose serious problems and they consulted with biologists in the management units to identify high-priority lakes, as well as ones that would allow for sufficient data collection in the project timeframe.

Chestermere Removes Over 210,000 kg of Lake Weeds

Tue, 26 Mar 2024 21:07:04 +0000

The City of Chestermere, Canada, announced that they had harvested 210,675 kilograms of weeds from Chestermere Lake in 2023.

“I know how important the water is to residents who live adjacent to it and all residents of Chestermere. Weed harvesting and weed control are an uppermost issue in most people’s minds,” interim CAO Pat Vincent said.

Chestermere Community Operations removed 132.5 harvester loads of weeds in 2023. Compared to 2022, when they removed 254.5 loads.

“We have been dealing with a flowering rush infestation, and it seems were enjoying some success in 2023 with the amount of flowering rush being removed from the lake is significantly lower than 2022, which to me is a good sign that we have been dealing with this issue effectively,” Vincent said.

The vegetation is then composted and used throughout the community.

Chautauqua Lake Harvesting Removes Over 7,700 Tons of Weeds

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 20:48:13 +0000

Crews employed by the Chautauqua Lake Association removed 15,584,000 pounds or 7,792 tons of nuisance plant material from the lake this past summer. Also lending a hand were volunteers from Cummins Engine and workers from the county’s Welfare-to-Work Program.

Excerpt from Chautauqua Lake Association Newsletter

The CLA currently has the equipment, knowledge and manpower to continue the annual task of plant harvesting. Harvesting has a low impact on aquatic habitat, compared to other options is inexpensive and greatly improves our lake conditions for the community.

Harvesting is a need that Chautauqua Lake in New York will have even if other options are taken. We have participated in both dredging and spraying in the past. Experience, scientific recommendations and the information from other lake communities advises us of the constant need for harvesting.

Bellandur Lake Cleanup Removes Thousands of Tons of Weeds

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 22:06:46 +0000

Around 3,707 tonnes (4086 tons U.S.) of weeds have been cleared from the 910-acre Bellandur lake. In the past five days alone 737 tonnes (812 tons U.S.) have been removed by just two machines, according to an official release issued by the Bangalore Development Authority.

The BDA is said to be using three weed harvesters — one long boomer and two floating excavators — which were introduced on the lake only on June 2, 2017. While one weed harvester cleared 340 tonnes from May 29 to June 2, the second one cleared 410 tonnes.

Bellandur Lake Cleanup Removes 20,000 Tonnes, More Remain

Thu, 14 Dec 2023 19:51:19 +0000

After 20,000 tonnes of weed removed, the southern side of Bellandur Lake, once again resembles a water body.

But the waters soon disappear into a thick cover of grass. About 120-150 acres of the 910-acre lake is still covered by 25,000 tonnes of grass.

Executives of Harvins Constructions Private Limited, the company tasked with de-weeding Bellandur Lake, have put the quantity of grass remaining in the water body at 25,000 tonnes and say there is always a possibility of the grass drying up and catching fire.

The company has already removed 20,000 tonnes of weed from the lake.

Aquatic Plants Play Key Role in Water Clarity Balance

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 22:23:44 +0000

Posted on July 9, 2013 by Dan O’Keefe, Michigan State University Extension

Aquatic ecologists tend to avoid the term “weeds” when referring to macrophytes – the rooted aquatic plants that many swimmers and boaters disdain. These plants provide food for waterfowl and habitat for fish, but they can also play a critical role in maintaining water clarity.

Many lakes and ponds have two stable states: weedy and clear or devoid of weeds and muddy. This leaves riparian landowners and lake managers with a choice between two undesirable endpoints when nutrient levels are intermediate.

At low nutrient levels, the rooted plants win out because water is clear and plenty of light reaches the bottom of the lake. At high nutrient levels, the algae win out and effectively shade out rooted plants – this means extremely low water clarity and sometimes harmful algal blooms. At intermediate nutrient levels, things get a bit tricky. In this case, lakes can be pushed in one direction or the other – sometimes inadvertently.

When rooted plants are destroyed, mucky bottoms get stirred up and re-suspend nutrients. Competition with algae ceases and foul blooms occur. If plant biomass is not mechanically removed, the rotting vegetation further adds to nutrient availability, turbidity, and algae growth.

Lake Hopatcong Harvesting Removes 800 Tons of Weeds

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 21:35:32 +0000

Dan Bello, who is supervising the weed control program for the state park, told the Lake Hopatcong Commission on July 21 that the weed harvesters on Lake Hopatcong in New Jersey brought in 800 tons of weeds between June 6 and July 18. According to Bello, that averages about 27 cubic yards a day. In comparison, last year only about 270 tons of weeds were harvested by July 18.

One of the harvesters was also dispatched to assist with a major fish kill. According to Park Superintendent Steve Ellis, the lack of oxygen in places where herbicides were applied can kill fish.

Chautauqua Lake Removes 15 Million Pounds of Weeds and Debris

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 16:11:37 +0000

The Chautauqua Lake Association in New York, announced that over 15 million pounds of aquatic vegetation and storm debris were removed from the lake this summer. Lake cleanup efforts began in May and continued through September.

The CLA is managed by an all-volunteer board of directors and funds the organization receives are used to pay summer staff who receives help from volunteers as well. Over 116 Cummins Engine employees donated more than 450 hours to aid the CLA crews in lake maintenance efforts. Participants from the Welfare-to-Work program also help with staffing by working over 350 hours on debris barges.

Water Hyacinth Threat Recognized as Early as 1914

Wed, 07 Dec 2022 17:11:07 +0000

Water hyacinth is a free floating aquatic plant that is native to South America. One of the fastest growing plants known, water hyacinth can double their population in two weeks. When not controlled, the aquatic plant will cover lakes and ponds entirely, dramatically affecting water flow, blocking sunlight from native aquatic plants and starves the water of oxygen, often killing fish and turtles.

In a letter dated October, 1914 between British officers water hyacinth is mentioned. They mentioned that water hyacinth has been noticed and although it is in small quantities, he heard about its widespread presence in the region.

Within a couple of months a pamphlet is created to pass along to the government to take notice of this dangerous plant and discussions for its removal commence.