recreation impacts – Aquarius-Systems

Water Chestnut Spreads in New York and Harms Aquatic Ecosystems and Recreation

Fri, 17 Dec 2021 14:33:28 +0000

Trapa natans is native to Western Europe and Africa and northeast Asia, including eastern Russia, China, and southeast Asia to Indonesia. Trapa natans was first introduced to North America in the mid- to late-1870s, when it is known to have been introduced into the Cambridge botanical garden at Harvard University around 1877.

A decade later later, the aquatic invasive species made its way to New York and now stretches fro Long Island, inland to the Hudson River Valley and up to Lake Champlain and is spread throught the Finger Lakes.

The water chestnut most directly impacts aquatic ecosystems by blocking sunlight from penetrating the water and preventing other aquatic vegetation from photosynthesizing. At the same time, the water chestnut photosynthesizes at the surface, restricting oxygen exchange under its cover. Other aquatic life, particularly fish, can be sensitive to low-oxygen environments. For the recreationist, water chestnuts make boating, fishing and swimming a crowded feat.

Missouri City Approves Weed Harvesting to Control Curly-Leaf Pondweed in Forest Lake

Tue, 30 Nov 2021 22:21:24 +0000

Kirksville City Council members voted to approve a resolution to allow weed harvest operations at Forest Lake in Thousand Hills State Park, Missouri, as the invasive curly leaf pond weed is not only negatively affecting recreation activities, but also impacts water quality and the drinking water treatment process.

In 2018, the city entered into a three year program with the weed control company to remove the plant. Kirksville Public Works Director Glenn Balliew says the mechanical harvesting has proven effective. He adds there are fewer weed mats in the lake then when the program first began.

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.

Aquatic Weed Harvesters Are a Long-Term, Cost-Effective Solution

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 11:28:03 +0000

It is exhausting reading about lake after lake after lake becoming infested with an over abundance of aquatic vegetation. This plant material not only negatively affects water quality, the health of the fishery, recreation, aesthetics, but it is financially devastating as well.

It affects tourism; bait shops, marinas, hotels, restaurants. It affects lake property owners; taxes, resale values. And it affects the community as whole when it comes time to right the wrong caused by the overabundance of vegetation.

Determining how to manage the vegetation often times divides communities and neighbors. There are enormous lists of pros and cons related to each method and $$$$ seems to be a hot spot.

This 30-years old Aquatic Plant Harvester is still operational and in use in Russia.

Proponents of mechanical harvesting deem it as expensive. Some articles list expense as a problem with aquatic plant harvesters as a control method. Of course the equipment does involve a capital investment, but amortized over the 10+ year lifetime and it becomes a very cost effective option.

A weed harvester is also economical to operate, using only 1.5 gallons of diesel per hour. Workers are often volunteers or part time summer help and if regular maintenance is performed (just like you take care of the car you drive) no expensive repairs are required. Plus as a bonus, aquatic weed harvesters have resale value. Contractors often look for used equipment and since the machines operate for 10 – 20 – 30 years, they sell quickly.

When it comes time to select a control method for aquatic vegetation, please contact us before judging mechanical harvesting as too expensive. While the upfront price may seem too much, think of it as a long term investment. An investment into the next decade!