Ivan
Lake Habitat Management Continues
Posted:
8/10/05
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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