Thursday, August 08, 2019

Summary of 2019 Louisiana lake drawdowns

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has planned drawdowns on several lakes this summer. Lowering the level of a lake by several feet has consistently proven beneficial for gamefish populations. It kills off nuisance vegetation - such as hydrilla, salvania, and alligator weed. It exposes the lake shoreline bottoms. Layers of organic muck that accumulate over time are exposed to sun and burn off, and compaction of sediments occurs as well. This typically results in a boom in gamefish spawning the following two years.

In most cases, waterways remain open to boating, but with strong precautions. Otherwise, boating is limited to certain areas or idle motoring only. In nearly all cases, fishing is still allowed.

Here is a list of lakes being lowered this year:

Kepler Lake in Bienville Parish - begins August 5th. Lake will be lowered by 4 to 6 inches per day to a target level of 8 feet below pool stage. Gates will close on November 29.

Bundicks Lake in Beauregard Parish - begins August 1st. Lake will be lowered by 2 to 4 inches per day to target level of 8 feet below pool stage. Control structure will be closed on November 29.

Saline Lake in Natchitoches and Winn parishes - began June 3rd. Lake dewatered 4 inches per day to target of 8 feet below pool. Gates will close on October 1st.

Lake Bistineau in Webster, Bossier, and Bienville parishes - began July 31st. Lake to be lowered 4 to 6 inches per day to target level of 8 feet below pool. Gates will close sometime this Fall.

False River in Pointe Coupee parish - begins September 3rd. Lake to be lowered 1.5 inches per day to maximum of 6 feet below pool. Gates will close on January 15, 2020.

Chicot Lake in Evangeline Parish - begins September 3rd. Lake to be lowered 3 inches per day to target level of 3 feet below pool. Gates will be closed in January 2020.

Vernon Lake in Vernon Parish - the lake was down 20 feet below pool while repairs were made to to the lake's dam. Due to heavy Spring rainfall, completion of the dam was extended to August/September. The lake will be restocked upon completion.