History
During the 1970’s two invasive plants, Eurasian watermilfoil and curly-leaf pondweed, entered the lake threatening to cause challenges. By 1989, the growth of Eurasian watermilfoil exploded and blanketed 40% of the lake's surface with thick mats of vegetation. This prompted property owners to organize for the purpose of purchasing and operating mechincal weed-harvesting equipment to help mange the prolific weed growth. Since then, the two invasives have seen precipitous declines in their population density.
Equipment
The District currently owns and operates a 2015 Aquarius Systems’ Model HM-420 mechanical harvester with a 7.0-foot cutting width, 5.5-foot cutting depth, 10.8-19.8” draft, and a 450 cubic feet capacity (10,000 lbs.). The harvester is constructed upon a low-draft barge controlled by side-mounted paddle wheels, and is equipped with one horizontal and two vertical cutter bars that can be hydraulically positioned. Hydraulic conveyors built into the harvester hoist cut plant debris onto the deck of the barge. When full, the plant material is transported back to shore and off-loaded into a dump truck using a shore-conveyor system.
Ancillary equipment includes an Aquarius SC-23 28.5-foot shore conveyor, a 1992 International dump truck, and a 2015 42-foot Aquarius Systems’ TR-23 harvester trailer with a mounted electric winch. A Lowrance HDS12 Gen 3 GPS system was purchased new in 2018, allowing precise cutting in specific areas. The primary objective of the weed harvesting program is to remove invasive species and to create navigational lanes for lake users.
What are we currently doing?
Are you wondering where the weed harvester creates lanes in Lake Ripley? Look no further! Below is a map that shows you where the navigational lanes are cut. Please try to use these community navigational lanes to reduce the amount of prop-chop that ends up on shore.
Do you have plants in front of your house? The link below lists some management options for lakeshore property owners!
Lakeshore Property Owners - Management Options
Looking for more information? Our weed harvesting brochure below explains this program in more detail!
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