Nantachie
Lake Aquatic Vegetation Control
The Louisiana Department
of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has scheduled a fall/winter
drawdown for Nantachie Lake.
LDWF has tentatively
scheduled a drawdown beginning Sept. 6 or soon after this
date as the corps project is completed. If the project is
not completed by Nov. 1, the drawdown will not take place.
If the drawdown takes place, the lake will be lowered at a
rate of 3 to 5 inches per day until the lake is approximately
7 feet below pool stage. The drainage structure will be closed
Jan. 31, 2006 and the lake will be allowed to refill.
The lake has been
unable to undergo a drawdown since the Red River Lock and
Dam project was completed in 1993. This project raised the
pool elevation of the Red River to 95 feet mean sea level
(msl); the same level as the Nantachie Lake spillway.
Prior to the Red
River project, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers agreed to
install an alternate drawdown structure that would provide
a means to dewater the lake. This project is scheduled to
be completed during the month of September.
LDWF fisheries
personnel in the District III office have received numerous
calls concerning submergent aquatic vegetation (SAV). In addition
to native SAV, hydrilla, an exotic noxious aquatic weed, has
become established in the lake and is hindering boating access
and recreational opportunities in many areas of the lake.
Hydrilla was first located at the public launch on the southeast
end of the lake and it has spread throughout most of the southern
half of the lake.
Posted:
9/6/05
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