Harvester cleans up cat-tails, debris in lake

A mechanical harvester was on the lake for three days last week cleaning up cat-tails and other debris on the north side of the north causeway, throughout the East Bay and part of the main lake.

Typically, the POA hires the harvester for cleaning up the spiny leaf-naiad in the lake. According to the POA, there was no naiad outbreak this year. The harvester will be back as needed in late 2020.

Mechanical harvesters are large machines that cut and collect aquatic plants. Cut plants are removed from the water by a conveyor belt system and stored on the harvester until disposal.

Harvesting offers an environmentally sound method of controlling excessive aquatic plant growth and nuisance, such as the spiny leaf-naiad. It creates immediate open areas of water in an eco-friendly manner.

Harvesters have the ability to cut and collect several acres per day, depending on the weed type, plant density and storage capacity of the equipment.

Harvesting speeds for typical machines range from 0.5 to 1.5 acres per hour. Depending on the equipment used, the plants are cut from 5 to 10 feet below the water’s surface in a swath 6 to 20 feet wide. Harvesting is similar to mowing a lawn. Once the plant grows back, the lake will need to be harvested again.