L.D.W.F.
Schedules Draw-downs to Control Aquatic Vegetation
Posted:
9/10/04
The Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Inland Fisheries
Division has will be allowing biologists to lower water levels
in several Louisiana waterbodies to maintain water quality
and enhance wildlife habitat.
Draw-downs
are used to dry out some of the aquatic vegetation. Aquatic
vegetation sometimes becomes so thick that it diffuses sunlight
and upsets the oxygen levels needed by fish and other wildlife.
In specific cases, limited herbicide applications may be made
to enhance the effect of the draw-down..
LDWF also
uses this technique to reduce the accumulation of organic
sediments. Sometimes excessive, decomposing plant materials
on lake bottoms reduce spawning success of nest-building fish
such as bass and bluegill. Decomposition of bottom ‘muck’
is accelerated when sediments are exposed to the air.
In addition,
draw-downs give lakeside residents an opportunity to do maintenance
and upkeep to their shoreline properties.
During
draw-downs, water levels are dropped slowly and monitored
by LDWF personnel to prevent fish kills. Limiting recreational
activities on the lake during the draw-down period may also
further protect the fish populations.
LDWF has
released the schedule for draw-downs in 2004:
- Bundick
Lake, beginning September 15 and ending January 31. This
draw-down has no recreational restrictions.
- Iatt
Lake, began June 14 and ending October 25. This draw-down
is in progress, and no fishing is currently permitted.
- Indian
Creek, beginning September 7 and ending December 6. This
drawdown is awaiting a police jury action, with no recreational
restrictions planned.
- Ivan
Lake, beginning September 13 and ending January 24. This
drawdown has no recreational restrictions.
- Lake
Bistineau, beginning July 15 and ending January 31. The
drawdown is in progress, with no recreational restrictions.
- Lake
Chatham, beginning September 7 and ending January 15. This
drawdown has no recreational restrictions.
- Lake
Cheniere, beginning September 7 and ending January 15. This
drawdown is awaiting a police jury action, with no recreational
restrictions planned.
- Lake
Claiborne, beginning September 7 and ending January 14.
This drawdown has no recreational restrictions.
- Lake
D'Arbonne, beginning September 7 and ending November 15.
This drawdown has no recreational restrictions.
- Lake
Martin, beginning September 22 and ending December 31. This
drawdown is awaiting a Lake Martin Advisory Council action,
with no recreational restrictions planned.
- Saline
Lake, began June 14 and ending October 25. This drawdown
is in progress, and no fishing is currently permitted.
For information
regarding these or other draw-downs, please contact the LDWF
Inland Fisheries Division at 225/765-2800.
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