The blades of the swamp devil, which work much like a blender. - FWS photo by Jon Krapfl

The swamp devil in action. - FWS photo by Jon Krapfl

Moving at only 2 miles per hour, the swamp devil churns through the cattail, throwing debri far and wide. - FWS photo by Jon Krapfl

Horicon National Wildlife Refuge purchased a “Swamp Devil”, an aquatic vegetation shredder (picture a pontoon boat with blender blades on its front end). 

The machine, with trailer, was purchased at the end of 2006 from Aquarius Systems in North Prairie, Wisconsin, for $210,565. 

Staff recently participated in a training day with the company.  Moving at only 2 mph, the swamp devil churns the cattail and throws it far and wide. 

The machine may be slow moving, but in the end does the job of creating open areas through thick mats of cattail.