DNR Permit for Cutting Areas
The Big Cedar Lake PRD has an Aquatic Plant Management Plan and applies for a Mechanical Weed Harvesting Permit from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources every five years. The Aquatic Plant Management Plan outlines the harvesting techniques that can be used to manage aquatic plant growth. The areas permitted are specified in the permit. The conditions of the permit are needed to protect the health of the lake, and for all lake users. The map to view the permitted areas can be found on this page in the document BCL Aquatic Plant Mgmt Plan. See pages 36 to 39 for maps.
Weed Harvesting Schedule
Weed harvesting begins in mid-June and goes through mid-September. However, this is dependent on weather and overall weed growth and therefore may change slightly year to year. The harvester will not be out until the spawning of specific fish species is completed in late spring/early summer.
Generally, weed harvesting will take place at least twice a week, but this is based on weather and aquatic plant growth observations. The harvesting machines can cut weeds that grow from the lake bottom and are also able to collect chopped weed material that is created by recreational boats. It is more difficult for the harvesters to collect chopped weeds as the small pieces are able to get through the head of the machines. Floaters are masses of chopped weeds that gather at the lake surface and choke out sunlight which is crucial for other vegetation and species that live on/in the lake.
Weed Pickup
Residents are responsible to collect shoreline weeds and can place them on the end of their pier for pickup. Aquatic weed pickup is on Mondays and Fridays, weather permitting.
To see announcements on lake news, including any weed harvesting updates, go to the Home page, scroll down, and enter your information in the Subscribe to receive News & Notices section. You can also follow the Big Cedar Lake PRD on Facebook.
