aquatic vegetation – 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.

Rotorua Lake Weed Odor Sparks Calls for Preventative Management

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 18:12:15 +0000

Rotting lake weed and dead fish are causing a strong odor along Rotorua’s lakefront as a 70-tonne-per-day clean-up continues. Businesses report guests are complaining or staying away, highlighting the impact on the city’s reputation.

The piles of weed surfaced two weeks ago after strong winds disturbed the lakebed. The Bay of Plenty Regional Council began removal on 14 November, with Rotorua Lakes Council handling disposal. Ongoing weather fluctuations have worsened the smell, prompting calls for increased investment in preventative weed management to protect both the lake and Rotorua’s visitor experience.

How the Loss of Aquatic Plants Threatens Lake Ecosystems

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 19:56:42 +0000

Lakes and wetlands across the United States are facing a big problem — the loss of important aquatic plants. One example is Lake Mattamuskeet in North Carolina, where underwater plants have almost disappeared. This loss is hurting the lake’s health and the many birds that depend on it.

Aquatic plants are very important for keeping lakes healthy. They help keep the water clean by reducing harmful nutrients, provide homes for fish, and prevent the lake bottom from washing away. When these plants disappear, the lake becomes unbalanced. The water becomes cloudy, oxygen levels drop, and fish populations start to die.

In Lake Mattamuskeet, the loss of plants has made the water murky and full of nutrients, which encourages harmful algae to grow. These algae blooms make things worse by blocking sunlight and using up oxygen. Fewer plants also mean less food for birds that migrate to the lake, which is another big problem.

Restoring Balance to Our Lakes
Bringing back aquatic plants is key to restoring the health of lakes like Mattamuskeet. When native plants return, they improve water quality, provide food and shelter for wildlife, and help stabilize the ecosystem. Efforts to control invasive species and allow native vegetation to grow can help break the cycle of decline. By protecting and restoring these plants, we give lakes a chance to heal and support the many species that depend on them.

St. Albans Bay Harvesting Helps Reduce Nutrient Pollution

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 16:40:46 +0000

Weed growth in St. Albans Bay in Vermont was not as bad this past summer as anticipated according to Steve Cushing, President of the St. Albans Area Watershed Association (SAAWA).

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.

Wauconda Increases Harvesting Efforts on Bangs Lake

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 19:00:44 +0000

The Village of Wauconda’s lake weed harvester began operation for the season on May 4th. This year it has been operating five days a week, with some of those days having extended hours. To date, 382 cubic yards of aquatic plants have been removed from the lake…which is 64 truckloads of lake weeds disposed of just this year! During the same period last year, 94 cubic yards of aquatic plants were removed from the lake.

The mild winter and warm spring have contributed to the explosive growth of two invasive weed species. To better control the weeds, the Village of Wauconda is developing a comprehensive multi-year lake management plan. The goal of the plan is to evaluate Bangs Lake and determine the best courses of action necessary to establish and maintain proper balance between aquatic plants, fishery, animals, and other elements so that Bangs Lake remains a healthy and viable body of water for year-round active and passive recreation.

Aquarius Harvester Improves Safety at Juneau Airport Pond

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 18:41:55 +0000

In the fight against weeds growing the airport’s pond used by floatplanes, the weeds came out on top in previous years. However, their new weapon; which isn’t new at all, but 20 years old, seems to be winning the war on weeds.

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.

Stockton Struggles with Water Hyacinth Despite Treatments

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 17:46:53 +0000

In Stockton, California managers have been trying to keep the water hyacinth that washes in from the Delta under control with herbicide treatments. Unfortunately even after 15 applications, the hyacinth has extended beyond the level of control.

Port officials say a state spraying program failed to control the hyacinth, so they contracted with a Bay Area company to mechanically remove it; removing over 375,000 pounds of the invasive water hyacinth

The infestation has prevented yacht groups from visiting downtown Stockton events and according to Stockton Alliance Director Leandro Vicuna, the problem is hurting local businesses.

Weed Harvester Keeps Prospect Park Waters Clear

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 16:16:22 +0000

Martin Woess and his aquatic weed harvester dubbed the Lake Mess Monster has been busy clearing the waters of Prospect Park. Once a week Woess climbs aboard his weed harvester to collect the scum which consists mostly of duckweed and azolla which would quickly take over the pond if left unchecked. New York City owns two of these specialized boats the other is in service at Central Park’s Harlem Meer.

Greenish growths on lakes, ponds and rivers are common across the U.S., typically blamed on excess nitrogen in runoff water carrying fertilizer from farmland. The problem in Prospect Park and Central Park is different: the artificial lakes and ponds, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, are filled with the same water that New Yorkers drink. The potassium-enriched tap water helps the scum flourish. The mild winter and hot summer have exacerbated the problem this year.

Dane County Plan Uses Harvesting to Manage Lake Weeds

Fri, 08 Dec 2023 19:29:53 +0000

Controlling nuisance plants in Dane County lakes is a key element in an updated plan being worked on by county officials.

The Land and Water Resources Department tries to balance a reasonable use of the lakes through boating, fishing and swimming, while preserving the health and balance of the lake ecosystem.

The use of mechanical equipment to harvest lake weeds is part of the plan. The plan needs to be updated every five years to satisfy requirements set down by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Each waterbody has a harvesting priority map that indicates potential cutting locations, as allowed by a DNR permit. Timing of harvest is determined by plant growth and a Dane County staff member who scouts out the potential, current cutting locations and anticipates future locations.

Herbicide Ban Targets Water Hyacinth in Vietnam Waterways

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 21:55:51 +0000

Authorities in the Medong delta province of Hau Giang have banned local authorities from spraying herbicide to the water hyacinth. This fast growing plant has slowly been taking over and blocking waterway traffic on rivers and canals in the area.

Many people breed water hyacinth locally to use for making exportable products such as baskets and furniture. These breeders must also contribute to clearing the weed from the water and remove dredged roots from water by destroying them or throwing them on soil rather than back into the water where they will continue to propagate.

Authorities have been spraying 2-4D to kill the water hyacinth and warned people to stop using the water for 10 days. However many households along the rivers and canals have no other source of clean water and the contaminated water must be used for their daily activities.