West NY News

Chautauqua County has reinforced its commitment to lake health by funding a state-of-the-art weed harvester for the Chautauqua Lake Association (CLA). Staff from Inland Lake Harvesters traveled from Wisconsin on August 8, 2024, to deliver an ILH-1000, their largest available plant harvester.

This acquisition is part of several recent equipment purchases aimed at supporting management and research activities on Chautauqua Lake.

County Executive PJ Wendel joined CLA President John Ford, Executive Director Doug Conroe, Administrative & Community Services Manager Heather Nolan-Caskey, and staff from Inland Lake Harvesters for a demonstration of the new equipment.

“We are just thrilled with the equipment that we have gotten,” Ford said. “We have a lot of equipment that is aging, and this really gives us a shot in the arm operationally.”

The ILH-1000 will serve the same role as existing CLA harvesters but features design improvements and modern updates. It uses a 10-foot cutting head to remove excess plant growth and can store up to 15,000 lbs. of material on its deck for offloading. Like current CLA harvesters, it is driven by side-mounted paddle wheels and powered by a diesel engine. It also features a stainless-steel hull with remaining surfaces finished in heavy marine-grade topcoat.

“Having this new harvester will increase our operating capability along with protecting us from operating problems that are being associated from time to time with our 50-year-old harvesters,” Conroe stated. “We are thankful for this collaboration with Chautauqua County that will enable lake maintenance to be better served.”

The Chautauqua County Legislature approved the purchase of the new harvester in early 2023, along with other vessels including a transport vessel, a Mobitrac support vessel, and a research boat. These purchases were funded through the federal American Rescue Plan Act to support the future health and usability of the lake.

“Thanks to the County’s ARPA funding, we are acquiring this vessel as part of a three-vessel initiative for the CLA,” Executive Wendel explained. “With strong leadership and a unified effort, my administration remains dedicated to investing in our magnificent lake, ensuring its natural beauty and economic vitality are preserved for future generations.”

The county’s new research vessel named "Unity" was delivered late last year and is currently operated by Chautauqua Institution. It was recently used by The Jefferson Project to deploy vertical profilers in both basins of the lake.

Inland Lake Harvesters will also provide Chautauqua County with its new transport and Mobitrac support vessel.

Additionally present during the delivery was another piece of new equipment—a JCB all-weather forklift delivered on July 19, 2024—replacing an aged machine from 1958. This purchase was funded through CLA’s endowment augmented by a grant from the County Occupancy Tax Program via the Chautauqua Lake and Watershed Management Alliance.

Recent funding for new lake equipment has come from diverse sources highlighting collaborative efforts towards common goals. The Occupancy Tax Program also facilitated purchasing a shoreline conveyor operated by the Town of Chautauqua used in 2023 as part of a pilot program to remove invasive starry stonewort from Ashville Bay.

Private contributions continue playing an essential role in these initiatives; last year saw purchasing a Mobitrac cleanup vessel with assistance from the Chautauqua Lake Partnership for use at Chautauqua Harbor Hotel in Celoron.

Officials anticipate these machines will effectively maintain clean waters at Chautauqua Lake for years ahead while expressing gratitude towards all contributors involved in these efforts.