Lake group secures weed removal permit

WEYAUWEGA – Advocates for the restoration of Weyauwega Lake have secured a state permit that clears the way for mechanical weed removal on the 251-acre waterway.

The newly approved permit from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) represents a significant development for the Weyauwega Lake Restoration (WLR) group. In previous years, strict state regulations blocked even basic weed-pulling efforts on the lake.

WLR Secretary Holly Martin said the permit specifically authorizes “pulling” invasive plants by the roots, a practice the DNR technically classifies as dredging. Unlike standard cutting, which can cause species like curly-leaf pondweed and flowering rush to proliferate and spread, she said pulling them by the roots ensures they do not immediately grow back.

The group’s weed removal plan is to clear 10-foot-wide navigation channels running north-south and east-west across the lake. The paths will allow boaters to navigate safely from the public boat landing to the opposite side of the lake.

To carry out the work, the group is preparing to purchase a $125,000 mechanical “Eco Harvester” and conveyor system from Minnesota-based Weeders Digest. The specialized equipment pulls weeds and loads them onto an integrated conveyor belt for easy unloading.

Funding for the equipment, however, remains a challenge. The group has submitted an application for a $121,000 DNR Surface Water Grant to cover the bulk of the purchase. If the state grant falls through, WLR Vice President Jim Tolfa warned the project could face a standstill.

“We don’t have a lot of backing, and we’ve been doing this for so many years now,” Tolfa said. “If we don’t get the grant we’re at a deadlock unless the city helps us.”

If funding is secured, Tolfa will undergo two hours of operational training provided by the manufacturer. He said he hopes to eventually recruit local high school students to assist with the operations.

Once harvested, the weeds must sit to dry out before disposal. The group has partnered with local farmer John Reindl who has agreed to accept the organic waste to fertilize his vegetable fields on Highway X. Tolfa said he is currently negotiating with the City of Weyauwega to allow the use of municipal trucks to haul the dried weeds to Reindl’s farm.

Tolfa said local residents have complained about the dense, foul-smelling vegetation clogging the water and weed growth near the island at the mouth of the river has become historically severe.

In addition to restoring recreation, the weed-pulling plan serves a dual environmental purpose, according to Martin, who said removing weeds in designated channels will allow sediment to be safely lifted into the water column for downstream movement. This gentle process avoids the severe environmental damage caused by the lake’s 2009 drawdown, which flushed millions of cubic feet of sludge downstream, she said.

Long-term, the group hopes to establish a permanent water depth of 8 to 10 feet in these channels to naturally prevent future weed growth.

Martin said Weyauwega Lake is a critical natural reservoir and federal waterway that houses a hydroelectric plant, making its ecological health vital for regional flood mitigation in the Wolf River basin. The lake also serves as an important wildlife habitat, drawing birdwatchers to observe species like Black Terns, Tundra Swans and Pelicans, she said.

While physical restoration is gaining momentum, administrative progress remains slow. The group’s long-term plan to establish a formal Weyauwega Lake District, which would grant the body the power to levy taxes, enforce local water ordinances, and secure larger grants, is currently “dead in the water.”

To build public support and raise startup funds, Tolfa plans to be at the Waupaca County Republicans booth at the Waupaca County Fair, which is set for Aug. 25-30. He will distribute educational brochures, seek donations and recruit local volunteers.

The lake group’s next meeting is Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. at Weyauwega City Hall.