The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has scheduled a drawdown on Chicot Lake in Evangeline Parish for reduction of giant salvinia and for fish habitat improvement.
The water control structure is scheduled to open on Sept. 5, 2023, and the lake should dewater at a rate of 1.5 inches per day. The water will be lowered to 43.2 feet mean sea level (MSL), which is 3 feet below normal pool stage. The Chicot Lake control gates are scheduled for closure on Dec. 31, 2023, to allow the lake to refill and ensure adequate water levels for springtime fish spawning.
During the drawdown, you are advised to use caution as numerous obstructions are present.
The drawdown is not expected to eradicate the giant salvinia but is our most efficient and effective tool for reducing the overall amount of giant salvinia present. Drawdowns also expose organic “muck” that builds up on water bottoms to air/oxygen, accelerating the decay process, cycling nutrients, and improving spawning habitat for many sportfish species.
Drawdowns are timed to take advantage of prevalent late summer, fall, and winter weather patterns. If favorable weather patterns do not occur, the effectiveness of the drawdown is reduced. For this reason, some drawdowns are very successful, while others are less effective.
For more information on Aquatic Vegetation Management at Chicot Lake, please see the Chicot Lake Aquatic Vegetation Management Plan.
