The Louisiana
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has scheduled
a late summer/fall/winter drawdown for Black Lake in Natchitoches
Parish. This will be the second of three annual drawdowns
recommended in a management plan written in January of 2005
for the control of nuisance aquatic vegetation.
The drawdown
is scheduled to begin on the Aug. 1, 2006 and end on Jan.
31, 2007. The water level will be lowered 4.5 feet, which
is the maximum drawdown capability due to the lock and dam
system on the Red River.
LDWF fisheries
personnel in the Alexandria 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.
The most severe infestation is found above the Highway 9 bridge.
The Northwest
Louisiana Game and Fish Preserve Commission passed Resolution
No. 1 of 2006 at its regular meeting on June 6, 2006 in favor
of the LDWF recommendation for the drawdown.
