ABSTRACT
Mechanical control of aquatic vegetation may be defined as the utilization of mechanical devices to physically remove plants from, or destroy plants in, the aquatic environment. A number of factors must be evaluated when determining the potential and requirements for mechanical harvesting. These factors include: the type of plant to be harvested, the type of water body, the debris or other foreign matter encountered, the nature of the shoreline, the prevailing weather condition in the area, the harvesting concept utilized, and the plant disposal system contemplated. Harvesting a floating plant, such as water hyacinth, requires a different approach than does a rooted submerged plant, such as hydrilla, or a rooted emerged plant such as cattail. A number of types of equipment are utilized for removing aquatic vegetation. This equipment ranges from commercially available devices such as draglines and cranes to equipment designed especially for harvesting aquatic vegetation.
