In January 2022, the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) transferred harvesting employees and ownership of the harvesting equipment to the Lake Hopatcong Commission (the Commission). Now in its third season, Commission employees including seasonal harvesting staff completed safety training the week of May 6th, and began harvesting along the shoreline of Hopatcong State Park.
The program for 2024 will be the same as 2023. Floating weeds will be collected on Fridays and Mondays. The Commission will provide an estimated harvesting schedule in two-week blocks throughout the summer. Generally, the harvesters will move from south to north up the lake. The schedule is subject to change dependent on weather, staffing, and mechanical breakdowns.
ESTIMATED SCHEDULE
May 13th – May 24th Hopatcong State Park shoreline to Silver Springs has been completed. The harvesters will continue south along Willow Point as well as north toward King Cove.
May 27th – June 7th Over the next two weeks Landing Channel will be completed as well as the south side of Bertrand Island from the condos to Bedbug Island. Next is Point Pleasant west to Ingram Cove and north up to Modick Park. The west end of Bertrand Island from Bedbug Island north and Kings Cove will completed toward the end of the two week window.
June 10th – June 21st Two machines have been moved to Lee’s Marina. Harvesting in Crescent Cove will begin on Monday. An additional machine will move to Ashley Cove to begin harvesting in the Woodport section of the lake.
June 21st – July 5th Two harvesters will finish cutting in Crescent Cove and will move to River Styx and toward the main lake. Two harvesters are in the north end of Woodport around Bryant Island working south toward Lake Forest Yacht Club.
July 8th – July 19th Two harvesters will begin working on the south side of Halsey Island and near Castle Rock Rd. Two harvesters will work near Prospect Point and north Bryant Island.
July 22nd – August 2nd Aquatic weed growth on the lake has slowed. Two harvesters are working around Halsey Island, Prospect Point, and Sunrise Bay. One harvester is working in the Pine Tree Point Area.
August 5th – August 16th Due to slower aquatic weed growth harvesting has been reduced to three days per week. Harvesters are currently working in the Brady Bridge area to CAPP Beach, in Hurd Cove and other areas north of Brady Bridge.
The schedule is subject to change dependent on weather, staffing, and mechanical breakdowns. Additional scheduling information will be released at the conclusion of the prior two-week block.