Lake
Bistineau to Undergo Second Consecutive Drawdown for Fisheries
Habitat Improvement
Posted:
6/22/05
Lake Bistineau,
a 17,200-acre lake in Bossier, Bienville and Webster parishes,
is scheduled to undergo the second in a series of possibly
three consecutive drawdowns in an effort to improve fisheries
habitats.
This year's drawdown
will begin on July 15 and will run through Jan. 31, 2006,
at which time the gates will be closed and the lake allowed
to refill. During the drawdown, the lake will dewater at a
rate of 4 to 6 inches per day until it is lowered to 7 feet
below normal pool stage.
Over the years,
accumulations of leaf litter and other vegetation have built
up a large amount of organic matter on the lakebed. The results
has been the loss of spawning habitat for sport fish such
as largemouth and spotted bass, crappie and bream.
The first drawdown
took place last year with good results. Significant habitat
improvements were noted and the drawdowns have improved boating
access due to the reduction of submerged vegetation. The effects
of the drawdown on the fisheries habitat, fish population
and aquatic vegetation coverage will be evaluated annually.
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