Lake Hopatcong Weed Harvest

There are several options available for residents to dispose of their weeds. Each of the four lake municipality (Jefferson, Mount Arlington, Hopatcong and Roxbury) have different weed disposal arrangements for its residents.

To dispose of weeds at the Commission harvesting locations, please contact the Commission office at 973-601-1070. Weeds are accepted at harvesting access locations when arrangements are made in advance through the Commission office or with a member of the field staff.

The 2007 weed harvesting program will begin the week of May 28. The harvesting teams will be trying to reach as many locations as possible during the upcoming weeks.

What a difference a year makes in the weed growth. By Memorial Day weekend in 2006, the lake had significant weed growth throughout the lake. Due to a higher lake level and cooler temperatures, the weed growth this spring was off to a slower start, but as May ended and June began, the weed growth took off and in many shallows areas, the weeds are already reaching the top.

During harvesting season, two harvesting crews are deployed. Many shallow sections of Lake Hopatcong are susceptible to an abundant density of rooted aquatic plants, commonly referred to as weeds. To harvest these areas, the harvester operator cuts the weeds toward the center of an infested area typically closer to the middle of the lake and will remove weeds closer to the shoreline as the harvesting is completed in that area. Before moving to another section of the lake, the operator will pick up floating weeds (floaters) with the harvester near the shoreline. The operator will not harvest weeds near rocks, in shallow water or near bulkheads.

When cutting weeds, the harvesters move at less than 5 mph and move considerably slower if the water is choppy or if it is windy. As an example, on a beautiful sunny day with no wind or waves, it takes the harvester approximately 15 minutes just to travel from the Point Pleasant in Hopatcong to the beach at the State Park when the harvester is not cutting weeds. Under the same conditions, if the harvester was cutting one pass from Point Pleasant to the State Park beach, it would take at least 30 minutes to harvest that distance.

In the 2006, approximately 1,300 tons of aquatic vegetation was removed from the Lake. The crews continued to harvest through early October. The actual end date is contingent upon the amount of weeds being removed and/or the water level of Lake Hopatcong.

During the off season, the LHC field staff maintains and repairs the harvesting equipment. Additionally, through shared service agreements with the local municipalities and County of Sussex, the field staff clean and maintain catch basins within the Lake Hopatcong Watershed.

Click here to learn more about the benefits of weed harvesting. To learn why the weed growth in 2006 is so heavy, click here.