Harvesting Program on Pause for 2025
In 2024, we were fortunate to implement a major treatment to eradicate the invasive plant Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM). This treatment was successful. In 2025, we are hopeful that native plants will now have a chance to grow and thrive. Having plants in the lakes is vital to the health of the lakes. Therefore, we will not be harvesting in 2025. We will monitor conditions to be sure the invasive plant EWM does not come back.
Now that EWM is gone, please do not use any chemicals in the lakes. Native plants are necessary for oxygen and fish habitat.
Harvesting Parameters
What you Can Expect
- Your waterfront area will be harvested during the cut/cuts for which you have donated. The harvester will cut and pull the invasive plants from approximately 75 feet from the shoreline (past docks and other impediments) to up to at maximum 200 feet from the shoreline.
- The harvester is not allowed to harvest in water depth that is shallower than three feet. At most times, the harvester will not navigate around docks and other impediments. Plants in shallow waters and around docks should be hand-pulled by the property owner or other service provider. If you have more expansive harvesting needs, please call or email Friends of Catherine and Channel Lakes to discuss.
- The main harvesting goal is to remove most of the weed mass in the densest areas around the lakes. Because of wave action, currents, wind and other factors, as well as the large size of the harvesting machinery, harvesting is not a precise function. While harvesting will cut most of the weeds, it will not cut every weed.
- Once an area is cleared of rooted weeds to a depth of three feet at a minimum, wind and wave action may blow fragmented, floating weeds from other areas in the lakes not associated with harvesting into that waterfront. Property owners should always pull floating weeds out of the lakes and dispose of them properly. Eurasian Water Milfoil can replant from fragments and decaying plants create nuisance phosphorus that leads to algae blooms. Help keep the lakes clean by pulling as many fragmented, floating plants out of the water.
- For the most part, the harvester will not make return trips to waterfront property after it has been harvested to the satisfaction of Friends of Catherine and Channel Lakes.
- Like lawns, cut plants in the lakes will grow back during the season. Harvesting year over year, however, should reduce the overall number of plants over time. Harvesting is a long-term endeavor.
- Harvesting will not be performed for any property with a current permit for chemical treatments. Harvesting is not to be conducted on areas where chemical treatments have been or may be applied. Harvesting will be performed pursuant to the permit with the IL DNR and cannot deviate therefrom.
- The harvesting fee includes both the spring and late summer cuts. Donating for only one cut during the season will not be available.