NEWSROOM
Anacoco
and Vernon Lakes Scheduled for Drawdowns
July 13, 2006
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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