NEWSROOM
Ivan
Lake Habitat Management Continues
August
10, 2005
Ivan Lake,
a 520-acre waterbody in Bossier Parish, created in 1954 by the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, was recently surveyed by the Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Inland Fisheries Section.
Submerged
vegetation was present in moderate to severe amounts in a fringe
around the lake that goes out to seven feet in depth. The area
of the lake approaching the Highway 529 bridge is the most severely
impacted, with boating access restricted to the creek channel.
All vegetation species combined cover approximately 35 percent
of the waterbody, with the most problematic species being hydrilla.
Due to the
infestation of submerged aquatic vegetation and lack of funding
for expensive aquatic herbicides, LDWF is recommending the second
of five consecutive fall/winter drawdowns to be performed.
The gates
will be opened on Sept. 15, 2005 allowing the lake to fall at
the rate of 3-4 inches per day until it is 8 feet below pool stage,
or at the
192 feet mean sea level
(msl) contour. LDWF will survey the lake after the lake level
reaches 192 feet msl to assure dewatering of the majority of the
vegetation.
This 8-foot
drawdown should continue until Jan. 23, 2006, when the gates should
be closed to allow the lake to refill. LDWF will conduct yearly
surveys to monitor vegetation levels and adjust the management
plan as necessary.
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