lake weed management – Aquarius-Systems

Curly-Leaf Pondweed in Minnesota Lakes and the Role of Mechanical Harvesting

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 21:29:29 +0000

Curly-lead pondweed is an invasive aquatic plant that has been found in 759 lakes in 70 of the 87 counties in the state of Minnesota. Curly-leaf is unique in that it begins growing in late fall and continues to grow under the thick ice. When spring arrives it is usually the first plant to appear after ice-out. Then when most native aquatic plants are growing, curly-leaf pondweed is dying back.

As the dying weeds decompose it contributes to increased phosphorous concentrations in the lakes. The excessive phosphorus provides necessary nutrients for algae to grow causing additional recreation and water-quality problems.

Mechanical harvesting (raking, cutting, or harvesting) is effective if performed in the spring – before Memorial Day. This process does need to be performed yearly however, but since curly-leaf can spread from just a small plant fragment; it is imperative that the harvesting method include collecting and disposing of the clippings.

After Milfoil Control, Curly-Leaf Pondweed Invades Lake Sunnyside

Fri, 01 Dec 2023 20:14:43 +0000

The war against milfoil in Lake Sunnyside, New York has largely been won — but at the cost of leaving the lake vulnerable to invasion from another plant.

Now, curly-leaf pondweed is taking over the lake, and stewards must fight that one too.

The problem was that milfoil occupied nearly all of the shoreline, the area where sunlight can reach the bottom of the lake, allowing aquatic plants to flourish.

Workers use chemicals that “wiped out” the milfoil but also all the other plants, said Protective Association of Lake Sunnyside board member Eric Sage.

“It devastated the fish population,” he said.

And it left a vacant area for other plants to use, he said. Another invasive species moved in quickly.

DNR Uses Aquatic Weed Harvester to Clear Dogwood Lake

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 14:48:30 +0000

DNR “Mows” Dogwood Lake
August 18, 2011 Washington Times Herald

Indiana Department of Natural Resources employee Ron Hauser runs an aquatic weed harvester at Glendale Fish and Wildlife Area on Wednesday afternoon. The harvester acts as an underwater lawn mower, removing lotus pads and coontail growing in the lake.

Aquatic weed harvesters are often used by lake managers to restore access and improve recreation in heavily vegetated waters. By cutting and removing the plants rather than leaving them to decay in the water, the harvester helps maintain navigation lanes while also removing plant material that would otherwise release nutrients back into the lake as it decomposes.