PTC eyes weed whacking on 101 acres of boggy bottom
Work on the dredging of portions of Lake Peachtree continues to progress. The Peachtree City Council by consensus on Aug. 20 agreed to have 101 additional acres of tall grass cut and to ask Fayette County to cover the $60,000 cost.
Aside from the dredging work currently underway, delays due to rain and other factors have resulted in high weed growth in approximately half of the 200-acre lake, areas that are not part of the dredging activity.
The city’s consulting biologist recommended a specialist company that cuts and removes vegetation from ponds and lakes. Failing to remove the vegetation would result in having the debris decompose, leading to a negative impact on the fish habitat due to an oxygen imbalance once the lake is filled.
The vegetation needing to be cut, some of which is 7-8 feet in height, totals 101 acres. The price for the work to cut and mulch in place is $595 per acre, for a total of $60,095. Once the lake is full the debris will float to the top and will be skimmed off using a special harvester at a cost of $3,100 for three days.
The work will also remove a number of black willow trees now growing out of the water near the shore.
Put in perspective, interim City Manager Rorie said the cost to hand-cut 40 acres in the often marshy lake bed would cost approximately $180,000. Previous attempts to negotiate the soggy area has resulted in tractors partially sinking in the mud.
The council agreed by consensus to have a letter drafted, asking the county to cover the cost of removing the vegetation.
The item is expected to return to the council for a vote on Sept. 3.
Below, rendering of lakebed with areas to be mowed in green and pink. Provided by Peachtree City.
