Case Study: Aquatic Weed Harvester Protects Salmon Spawning Grounds

Background Information

• Located just outside Valdez, Robe Lake is an important part of the Valdez ecosystem
• Slow moving with a gravel bottom creates the ideal spawning ground for salmon
• Freshwater lake with three tributary streams leading to Prince William Sound and eventually the Pacific Ocean
• Lake ecology changed and weeds grew on the gravel bottom spawning beds
• Valdez Fisheries Development Assn operates one of the largest fisheries programs in North America with a $100 million economic impact

The barge style HM-420 Aquatic Weed Harvester with swing to stern paddle wheels has a low draft and narrow operating width allowing the Harvester access to operate around Robe Lake and on Robe River.

Aquatic Weed Harvesters and Offloading Conveyors are installed on both lakes with the larger of the lakes operating a second harvester as well as a Transport Barge. The Lakes Rehabilitation District has collected over 20 years of aquatic plant harvesting data and while there is still nuisance vegetation, it has significantly reduced.