Water Weed Management: Getting Started

Not all water weeds are bad weeds. Sounds counter-intuitive, doesn’t it? When we think of the term “invasive weeds,” we automatically think that total annihilation is the only solution. But according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), aquatic vegetation is vital to a healthy ecosystem.

“Without aquatic plants, lakes would have fewer aquatic insects, minnows, and other wildlife. If too many aquatic plants are removed from lakeshores, fish and wildlife populations and water clarity may suffer. Aquatic plants are an essential part of the natural community in most lakes.” (Source: Minnesota DNR)

So what does this mean for waterfront dwellers? You can remove, control and manage aquatic vegetation, but you just need to know how to do it. We recommend contacting your local Department of Natural Resources (DNR). State DNRs have some pretty strict limitations when it comes to managing water weeds, so conduct a quick search online. You’ll find lots of helpful information—like when you need a permit and when you don’t, how much vegetation you’re allowed to clear without a permit and a lot more.

After you have the know-how, you’ll need the tools to get the job done. And first things first—weed cutters. The Weed Razer™ is razor-sharp, easy to use and makes cutting rooted weeds simple for one person to manage. After cutting, remove fragments from the water (to prevent regrowth) with the Weed Raker. Its evenly spaced teeth will capture those pesky fragments and rake them right out of your water. You can learn more about other useful tools for weed management here.

So before you start, brush up on the dos and don’ts of underwater weed control and make sure you have the right tools for the job. Our motto? If you’re gonna do it, do it right. Your water (and local government) will thank you.