LDWF Targets Giant Salvinia with Black & Clear Lake Drawdown

Giant Salvinia has to be one of the greatest threats ever for Northwest Louisiana lakes.

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This invasive weed, left unchecked, would leave these waters totally unnavigable and essentially in ruins.

According to the National Association of Wetland Managers, giant salvinia was first discovered in Louisiana in 1998 when an approximate 400 acre of Toledo Bend was found to be infested with it.

Since then, nearly every body of water in this part of the state has had to develop some form of program just to maintain it's rapid expansion with very little hope of ever seeing it's total elimination.

What Is LDWF Doing To Fight Giant Salvinia In These Louisiana Lakes?

One of those "control programs" enacted by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is the annual "dewatering" or "drawdowns" of a number of area lakes.  Specifically, lakes with the actual ability to be drawn down via "flood gates" or "water control structures."  Once these lakes are lowered, an annual application of herbicide is applied to visible areas of giant salvinia.

While it's rumored that LDWF will announce the annual drawdown of Lake Bistineau in the next few weeks, we have no official word yet, but we did get notification that the temporary drawdown for Black and Clear Lake in Natchitoches Parish is set to begin next Monday, July 14.

LDWF Will Begin Dewatering Black & Clear Lake On July 14

Once the water control structure is opened the lake should begin to fall at a rate of three to six inches per day, depending on the Red River Pool Three water level. The water level will be lowered to a maximum drawdown level of approximately four feet below normal pool stage.  This should take about a month or a little longer.

During the drawdown, an estimated 7,000-8,000 acres of water will remain for access in open areas of Black and Clear Lake. Boaters may still access Black and Clear Lake from either Black Lake Haven and Campground or Chandler’s Camp ramps, located on the North side of the Hwy 9 Bridge. Caution is also advised when on the water as numerous obstructions that are normally not seen are present or just below water surface.

Why Does LDWF Continue To Lower These Lakes Every Year?

The intent of these low water periods is to reduce acreage of giant salvinia in areas where applying herbicides is not possible, while minimizing cypress and buttonbush growth, and allowing for refill by waterfowl season. Without a drawdown, these small areas of giant salvinia typically expand in coverage going into the fall and into the following growing season.

For additional information regarding the drawdown, contact Villis Dowden, LDWF Biologist Manager, at vdowden@wlf.la.gov or (318) 357-3214.