Blog Archives
Protecting the Lake
Pewaukee Lake was created in 1838 and has faced decades of aquatic plant management challenges. For years, herbicides were used to control invasive weeds—but in 1985, the Lake Pewaukee Sanitary District discontinued chemicals and expanded its mechanical harvesting program instead.
By removing plants rather than killing them with herbicides, the district has reduced nutrients that fuel regrowth, encouraged native plant diversity, and supported a healthier ecosystem—all while balancing recreation and environmental protection.
Read the full article on our website: Protecting Pewaukee Lake
Mechanical Harvesting an Economical Choice
Aquatic vegetation can hurt water quality, recreation, tourism, property values, and communities financially. Mechanical harvesting may seem expensive upfront, but over a 10–30 year lifetime, it’s highly cost-effective. Harvesters use little fuel, require minimal maintenance, and even have resale value. Properly maintained equipment can last decades, making mechanical harvesting a smart long-term investment.
Read the full article on our website: Mechanical Harvesting an Economical Choice
This 30 year old Aquatic Plant Harvester is still operational and in use.
Advantages of Aquatic Weed Harvesting
Mechanical harvesting of aquatic weeds offers many benefits over chemical control or doing nothing. It provides immediate relief from nuisance plants, improves navigation and recreation, removes excess nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus, and leaves living plants behind to continue supporting oxygen and habitat. Harvesting also reduces muck buildup, improves fishing access, and creates compostable vegetation for soil enrichment.
Read the full article on our website: Advantages of Aquatic Weed Harvesting
World Water Day, March 22
World Water Day, observed annually on March 22, highlights the importance of freshwater and sustainable management of water resources. It encourages global awareness, action, and solutions to challenges such as water pollution, scarcity, and the protection of aquatic ecosystems.
Aquarius Systems supports healthy waterways by providing tools and solutions to manage aquatic plants and maintain water quality.
Read the full article on our website: World Water Day, March 22
A Success Story – Lake Minnewawa Weed Harvesting
In the 1970s, Lake Minnewawa was overrun with weeds, making boating and water quality a challenge. In response, local residents formed the Save Minnewawa Association and eventually purchased an Aquarius Systems weed harvester.
Operating several months each year, the harvester clears invasive vegetation, improves water clarity, and removes excess phosphorous — reducing algae growth and supporting a healthier ecosystem. The project is funded by memberships, donations, and volunteer work, not state funds, making it a true community effort.
Thanks to years of consistent harvesting, the lake has seen significant improvements in water quality and usability, proving the value of mechanical weed management over chemical alternatives.
Read the full article on our website: Lake Minnewawa Weed Harvesting Success Story
Lake Minnewawa’s 1987 H-620 Aquarius Systems Aquatic Weed Harvester
Milfoil — Beating back the invader
Along the Columbia River, milfoil, an invasive aquatic weed, can make boating and recreation difficult. Park maintenance crews use a milfoil harvester, which cuts and collects the plants, keeping waterways clear and safe for visitors.
Once harvested, the milfoil is taken to compost piles, where it naturally breaks down, providing an eco-friendly solution for managing invasive plants. This method helps maintain the river environment while ensuring parks remain accessible and enjoyable.
Read the full article on our website: Milfoil — Beating Back the Invader
The harvester cuts the milfoil below the water level, catches and lifts it onto a conveyor and secures it in a holding tank until the harvester docks and the milfoil is removed.
Smith and Mendoza have worked together since 1997 and have been harvesting milfoil for the state and county parks along the Columbia River in Chelan and Douglas counties for two years.
A day harvesting milfoil begins with getting the harvester ready for the water.
They lower the paddle wheels, take the “Oversize Load” sign off the back and erect a large shade umbrella over the seating area. Even with the umbrella, they lather on the sunscreen and get ready for a hot day on the water.
Also with them are inflatable vests, safety goggles, ear plugs, lots of water and iced Gatorade.
The men back a trailer holding the harvester into the water, then push the machine off the trailer with the help of a hydraulic lift.
While one person runs the harvester on the water, the other stays on shore, performing basic maintenance on the pump and trailer.
When the harvester is full, it is maneuvered toward shore, where the conveyor is shifted into reverse and the load is dumped onto a truck bed. The load is then taken to a compost heap on park grounds.
Keith Truscott, environmental and permitting manager for Chelan County PUD, says milfoil has such a high water content that even a very large pile will break down to almost nothing when it dries.
By the time the truck has come back from dumping the weeds, says Smith, the harvester is often full again and the next batch of harvested milfoil is ready to be taken to the compost pile.
Mendoza and Smith agree that Dave Coble, their crew leader and the man who trained them to use the machine, holds the record for most loads harvested in a single day at 26. Mendoza and Smith claim they aren’t really keeping count, but Mendoza says his personal record is about 14.
The size of the park, technical difficulty and the amount of milfoil to be harvested determines how long it takes to finish each park and how much is harvested each day.
Mendoza says the job is easier when the water level is lower. The milfoil and any hazards are easier to see then.
Both he and Smith concede the most difficult park is Will Risk Memorial Park, commonly known as Entiat park. Foundations from the original town of Entiat, buried underwater after the erection of Rocky Reach Dam in 1961, are near the surface there. The two slow down when harvesting that area to prevent damaging the machine.
If something on the harvester needs fixing, often it can be done while still on the water, with the tools kept on board.
Harvesting can get a little scary when the gates at dams open, Mendoza says. With the stronger current and a full load, the harvester can’t move very quickly and has to fight against the current.
Duties working in park maintenance vary and include plowing snow in the winter, mowing lawns and pruning.
The two men work four days a week, Monday through Thursday, avoiding Fridays and weekends because the boat launches and parks are busier on those days.
“We try to be considerate and stay out of people’s way,” says Smith.
Rochelle Feil: 664-7153
feil@wenworld.com
What is an Aquatic Weed Harvester?
Aquatic Weed Harvesters provide an environmentally friendly way to manage nuisance vegetation in lakes, ponds, and waterways of all sizes. Acting like an underwater lawn mower, they cut and collect submerged, emergent, and floating plants to keep water clear and usable.
Each machine uses a forward conveyor and cutter bars to remove weeds, storing them on board before offloading at shore. Aquarius Systems offers a range of customizable models to meet specific lake and vegetation needs, helping restore balance to aquatic environments.
Read the full article on our website: What Is an Aquatic Weed Harvester?
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