Mechanical cutting/harvesting is a most effective technique for achieving "area
selective" control of nuisance aquatic vegetation. Harvesting is well suited
for clearing nuisance vegetation from ponds, coves of larger lakes and cutting
channels or lanes through dense vegetation to enhance access for swimming, boating
or fishing. Harvesting can be performed on all different species of vegetation,
yet we find it to be most effective for plants forming a dense surface canopy
or for annual plants like water chestnut (Trapa), which reproduce from seed.
Typically, 1-2 harvests are recommended to provide "summer-long"
control. An intensive program of harvesting can result in long-term benefits
where nutrient removal via plant biomass is significant or annual, seed producing
plants dominate.
The
front of the harvester contains a cutting mechanism and hydraulic lifts for
raising and lowering the cutting depth. Once weeds are cut, a conveyor belt
carries the weeds on board to a holding area beneath the operator's platform.
A conveyor in the rear of the vessel off-loads the collected plant matter to
trucks on-shore which carry it away. Harvesters are powered by two paddle wheels
which can be operated individually, allowing for a high degree of maneuverability
for such a large machine. Pontoons on either side of the harvester keep it afloat,
even when loaded down with hundreds of pounds of water soaked plant material.
Advantages
Plant biomass and nutrients are removed from the waterbody
Area selective control of nuisance species
No temporary water use restrictions
More affordable than most other techniques
Effectiveness often enhanced when combined with other strategies
Long-term control attainable for certain species
Experience
Aquatic Control owns and operates one of the largest fleet of
harvesting and support machinery anywhere in the northeast and the country.
We've harvested more than 7,500 acres of nuisance vegetation, often under the
most difficult operating conditions. This experience enables us to quickly determine
whether harvesting is an appropriate management strategy for your pond or lake
problem. If harvesting is decided upon, the client is assured of the most efficient
selection of machinery and experienced operating personnel to ensure a productive
and successful project.
Representative Projects
Morses Pond (Wellesley, MA)
Indian Lake (Sharon, CT)
Stockbridge Bowl (Stockbridge, MA)
Bantam Lake (Litchfield, CT)
Lake Winnipesaukee (Wolfeboro, NH)
Potomac River (VA, MD)
Lake Champlain (Orwell, VT)
Silver Lake (Rhinebeck, NY)
Mount Holyoke College Ponds (So. Hadley, MA)
Lake Cidra (Cidra, Puerto Rico)
Monponsett Pond (Halifax, MA)
Bartlett Pond (Northborough, MA)
Charles River (Newton, MA)
Harvester Operating Specifications
H5-200
H7-400
H8-650
Draft Empty (inches)
8
12
12
Draft Full (inches)
12
18
20
Width of Cut (feet)
5
7
8
Depth of Cut (feet)
0-5
0-7
0-5
Load Storage Capacity (cubic feet/pounds)
200/3000
400/7000
650/10000
Productivity (acres per hour)*
0.20-0.30
0.30-0.40
0.40-0.60
*Productivity may differ from above depending upon; 1) plant density,
2) distance to on-shore, off-loading site(s), 3) frequency of bottom obstructions
and other factors.
The
front of the harvester contains a cutting mechanism and hydraulic lifts for
raising and lowering the cutting depth. Once weeds are cut, a conveyor belt
carries the weeds on board to a holding area beneath the operator's platform.
A conveyor in the rear of the vessel off-loads the collected plant matter to
trucks on-shore which carry it away. Harvesters are powered by two paddle wheels
which can be operated individually, allowing for a high degree of maneuverability
for such a large machine. Pontoons on either side of the harvester keep it afloat,
even when loaded down with hundreds of pounds of water soaked plant material.