A drawdown at Lake Claiborne
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has scheduled a drawdown of Lake Claiborne in Claiborne Parish at the request of the Claiborne Parish Watershed District (CPWD).
LDWF has requested the Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) to open the water control structure on Sept. 18 for shoreline maintenance and erosion control. Once the water control structure is open, the lake should dewater at a rate of 4 to 6 inches per day until it reaches a target level of 7 feet below pool stage. The drawdown gates will be closed on Jan. 31, 2024, to allow the lake to refill.
The Claiborne Parish Watershed District (CPWD) passed a resolution in 2010 to have scheduled drawdowns on the reservoir every 6 years for general shoreline maintenance of piers, boathouses etc. The rotation is such that it does not interfere with the regularly scheduled drawdowns of Lake D’Arbonne, which is located downstream.
Additionally, LDWF will be working with CPWD to install some artificial fish habitats in the lake during the drawdown period.
For more information regarding the management of Lake Claiborne, the Waterbody Management Plan for the lake can be viewed at the link listed below: www.wlf.louisiana.gov/
Giant salvinia at Lake Bistineau
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has scheduled a drawdown of Lake Bistineau in Webster, Bossier, and Bienville parishes to reduce the expansion of giant salvinia. The drawdown will also benefit fisheries production by improving aquatic habitat and reducing the amount of organic matter on the lake bottom.
LDWF has requested the Department of Transportation and Development open the water control structure on July 31. Once the water control structure is open, the lake should dewater at a rate of 4 to 6 inches per day until it reaches a potential maximum drawdown level of 8 feet below pool stage. This dewater rate could be impacted, however, by local rainfall in the surrounding watershed. Aquatic habitat conditions will be monitored during the drawdown and a gate closure date will be determined and announced at a later date.
During the drawdown, an estimated 10,000 acres of water will remain in the lake. Boaters can still access the lake during the drawdown from the following public boat launches: Port of Bistineau Launch, Bossier Public Launch, Grice’s, and Bayou Dorcheat Public Launch. Boaters are advised to use caution during the low water period, as boat lanes will not provide normal clearance of underwater obstructions.
The drawdown is a necessary component of LDWF’s integrated management plan to control overabundant aquatic vegetation growth and to improve the Lake Bistineau sport fishery. An annual cycle of high and low water fluctuation can provide beneficial effects similar to a natural overflow lake system. Herbicide applications will continue during the drawdown period. The Lake Bistineau Waterbody Management Plan can be viewed at: www.wlf.louisiana.gov/
The health of Henderson Lake
Continuing a long-standing collaboration to enhance the overall health of Henderson Lake, and based on the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries recommendations, the St. Martin Parish Government has scheduled a drawdown for Henderson Lake in St. Martin Parish to manage aquatic vegetation and improve fisheries habitat.
The southern control structure gates will open on Aug. 1. The lake will dewater at a rate of 2 to 4 inches per day until it reaches 3 feet below pool stage. The dewatering rate could be impacted by local rainfall in the surrounding watershed. The drawdown gates are scheduled to be closed on Nov. 1, at which time the lake will be allowed to refill.
Houseboat owners are encouraged to take any necessary precautions as soon as possible. During the drawdown, boaters will be able to access the lake from the private ramps along the southern levee. Boaters should use caution as numerous obstructions will be exposed or may be present just under the water’s surface. Boaters should also be cautious about potential interactions with silver carp as the lower water levels are conducive to those fish jumping around moving boats.
In addition to the control of overabundant aquatic vegetation, the drawdown will benefit the lake’s fish population by promoting a balanced predator-prey relationship, where forage fish are more available to predator species. The dewatering will improve the spawning habitat by promoting the decomposition and drying of organic materials such as leaf litter and submerged vegetation.
Herbicide applications will continue during the drawdown period.
The Henderson Lake Waterbody Management Plan can be viewed at: www.wlf.louisiana.gov/
