Weed Rolling - An Aquatic Plant Management Technique

Weed Roller

The Western Aquatic Plant Management Society

Description of Method

A weed roller is a commercially available device used to remove aquatic plants from a well defined area and to keep the area free of aquatic plant growth. Weed rollers must be attached to a dock or post. A weed roller uses a low-voltage power unit that slowly drives an up-to-30-foot long roller (pipe) set on the lake bottom through an adjustable arc of up to 270 degrees. A reversing action built into the drive automatically brings the roller back to complete the cycle. Fins on the rollers help detach plants from the sediment and remove roots. Once the plants are cleared from the area, the device can be used as little as one day per week or less to keep plants from recolonizing the area. When not in use, the equipment should be stored along side a dock or in a place where people will not step on the roller and accidentally injure themselves.

Little maintenance is required, but the unit must be removed from the water in winter in areas where waterbodies are expected to freeze. The life of the unit is predicted at a minimum of five years.

Advantages

Rolling suppresses regrowth of plants in areas where it is regularly used.
The treatment area can be modified by using up to three, ten foot roller tube sections, as well as by adjusting the roller tube travel arc.
Weed rolling creates and maintains areas of open water adjacent to docks.
Operating costs are low - about the same as using an ordinary light bulb.

Disadvantages

Weed rolling may disturb some bottom dwelling animals and may interfere with fish spawning.
Weed rolling may cause plant fragmentation, which may increase the spread of some invasive weeds.
Detached plants should be removed from the water with a rake or gathered by hand.
Weed rolling can cause a depression to develop where the unit operates as the fine sediment is dispersed to other areas of the waterbody.
When the cleared area is to be used for activities such as swimming or wading, the rollers should be unplugged from the power source, moved and stored under or along side a dock.
Never allow people in the water when the equipment is operating.
Never allow water activity above or along-side of the equipment to keep people from contacting the roller tube and accidentally injuring themselves.

Permits

Permits are required for many types of projects in lakes and streams. Check with your state and local jurisdictions before proceeding with purchasing and installing a weed roller.

Costs

Purchase cost is approximately $2,000. Installation is relatively easy and requires only a 110 volt ground fault interrupter and an outdoor extension cord in addition to the equipment package supplied by the manufacturer. Operating costs are analogous to the costs of using a 75 watt light bulb.