September drawdowns scheduled for Hardwater, Chicot Lakes

Nuisance vegetation control is the goal, LDWF says

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has scheduled drawdowns to begin on two state lakes starting on Tuesday, Sept. 2.

On Hardwater Lake in Grant Parish, the water level will be lowered 4 feet from pool stage. Control gates will be closed no later than Dec. 31, and with normal rainfall the lake is predicted to return to pool stage well in advance of the spring spawn.

Just north of Ville Platte, Chicot Lake’s water level will be lowered 3 feet from pool stage, according to a press release.

Water fluctuations are proven to yield significant benefits for fisheries and aquatic vegetation control, the release states.

Although neither lake will be closed to fishing during the drawdowns, LDWF advises boaters to use caution during low water periods because boat lanes will not provide normal clearance from underwater obstructions.