Harvesting Program

Sign-up Now for 2024

Lot Size July 2024
up to 50′ $200
up to 100′ $400
up to 150′ $600
up to 200′ $800
201′ and above Contact for quote

Harvesting Service Sign-up is Open for 2024

Will there be harvesting this summer? The answer is YES!

There will be one harvest offered and will take place the week of July 15th. The deadline to sign is June 30thYou MUST sign up in advance. 

The good news is the cost will be ½ of last year since there will only be one harvest. If you were waiting to donate to Procellacor dependent on whether harvesting would be offered, please consider donating ½ of what would have gone to harvesting to the Procellacor treatment program.

Why do we need to harvest if Procellacor will treat the milfoil? Because there are other weeds that will be unaffected by the treatment such as coontail, which is similar to milfoil but not as dense or heavy.

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.