Anacoco
and Vernon Lakes Scheduled for Drawdowns
Posted:
7/13/06
The Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has scheduled a summer/fall
drawdown for Anacoco Lake beginning July 18, 2006 extending
through Sept. 30, 2006. Anacoco Lake will be lowered to a
level of six feet below pool stage (188 MSL).
Vernon
Lake will be drawn down no more than three feet below pool
elevation (242 MSL), beginning Oct. 1, 2006 and extending
through Oct. 31, 2006. The timing of the Vernon Lake drawdown
had been selected to assist in the refilling of Anacoco Lake,
downstream.
The drawdown
on both lakes will allow property owners to make repairs following
the destructive wind and waves accompanying Hurricane Rita.
However, the main reason for the summer drawdown on Anacoco
Lake is to enable LDWF biologists to correct an imbalance
of fish populations and allow for consolidation of the water
bottom.
Recent
surveys indicate poor populations of sport fishes such as
bass, bream and crappies, but an abundance of catfishes and
common carp. Summer drawdowns allow for the growth of terrestrial
plants and oxidation and drying of bottom muck. This should
help clear the water and provide desirable game fishes with
good spawning substrates.
The Vernon
Parish Game and Fish Commission will also remark the boat
lanes and channels in both reservoirs as a safety measure.
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