Rock Lake Permit Approved for Mechanical Weed Harvesting in Wisconsin

Tue, 21 Dec 2021 21:07:17 +0000

Aquatic plant control always seems to be a controversial issue. Rock Lake located in Southeastern Wisconsin is no exception. Last year residents opposing harvesting formed a human barrier to keep the aquatic plant harvester from entering the water.

This year the Rock Lake Restoration Association has once again applied and received a permit to harvest aquatic plants on the Town of Salem lake. Craig Helker, water resources biologist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources issued the permit for mechanical harvesting. “Harvesting is a recognized tool in Wisconsin,” Helker said.

Warden Jennifer Niemeyer had some words of warning for those who might contemplate trying to block the activity again. “Any impediment by the citizens could be construed as disorderly conduct,” Niemeyer said. “(Harvesting) is nothing new or special on Rock Lake that we haven’t done on other lakes.”

Wisconsin is the birthplace of the aquatic weed harvester. Built in 1902 by the Hockney Company, the machine was not originally built to meet recreational purposes; it was made in response to fussy Chicago housewives! Around the turn of the century, ice was harvested from Wisconsin lakes destined for Chicago iceboxes. The housewives there didn’t like cleaning out the weeds when the ice melted. The boat was designed to cut down the weeds in the fall so that clean ice could be harvested in the winter.

New Zealand Lakeweed Harvesters Improve Water Quality With Chemical-Free Weed Removal

Tue, 19 Oct 2021 18:27:02 +0000

Introduced aquatic weeds clog many of New Zealand’s waterways. It affects aquatic life and prohibits access and use for recreational users. Lakeweed Harvesters remove the aquatic plants mechanically, using a harvester mounted on a three metre by seven metre pontoon vessel.

The operation works under strict standard operating procedures to ensure maximum weed is harvested and because it works over water stringent safety, health and environmental protocols are followed. Lakeweed Harvesters do not use chemicals and where necessary use biodegradable products.

Lakeweed Harvesters and Contractors have removed between 3.2 to 4.3 tonne of weed annually from Lake Rotoehu since 2008 resulting in a dramatic improvement in water quality.

lake access – Aquarius-Systems

Rock Lake Permit Approved for Mechanical Weed Harvesting in Wisconsin

New Zealand Lakeweed Harvesters Improve Water Quality With Chemical-Free Weed Removal