Harvested weeds are disposed of in landfills, used as compost, or in reclaiming spent gravel pits or similar sites. Harvesting is usually performed in late spring, summer, and early fall when aquatic plants have reached or are close to the water's surface. Harvesters can cut and collect several acres per day depending on weed type, plant density, and storage capacity of the equipment. Harvesting speeds for typical machines range from 0.5 to 1.5 acres per hour. Depending on the equipment used, the plants are cut from five to ten feet below the water's surface in a swath 6 to 20 feet wide.
Some modern harvesters can cut plants in a range of water depths.
Because of machine size and high costs, harvesting is most efficient in lakes larger than a few acres. Harvesting can be an excellent way to create open areas of water for recreation and fishing access. Along with plants, harvesters also collect a large number of small fish and invertebrates. Amphibians and turtles have been known to be collected as well. In the harvesting machine shown above which was harvesting Eurasian watermilfoil from Long Lake, Thurston County, the operator is watchful for fish as the cut plants move up the conveyer belt.