Water Resource News: Arkansas Basin Development Association Volume 12 Number 2

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Habitat Improvement Projects Emerging From Arkansas River Navigation Study The Arkansas River is an effective navigational waterway, but it's also a great place foil fishing. Enhancing the fish spawn at Lake Dardanelle on the Arkansas River is one of the shared objectives of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission(AGFC) andthe U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps of Engineers is conducting a navigation study of the Arkansas River with the main emphasis on improving navigation along the river and reducing flooding of adjacent lands. As part of the study, the Corps has been seeking input from other agencies and individuals who might have information that should be included in the study. The Game and Fish Commission has been interested in improving wildlife habitat along the river and making it easier for people to use the river. So the two agencies, using input from the public, are working to find possible fish and wildlife projects that may be conducted outside of the navigation study. Results from preliminary meetings between the Corps and the AGFC have produced a pilot water level management plan for Lake Dardanelle that will improve the fish spawn on that section of the river. A test of the plan will be conducted for one year and evaluated by the AGFC and Corps for possible future implementation. "Water levels are important to fish spawning, and this plan would help recreational anglers by maintaining a constant lake stage," said AGFC Biologist Bob Limbird. "When water levels fluctuate on the lake, fish tend to move from their spawning beds and other fish eat the eggsresulting in fewer young fish," he explained. 'Ibis plan is a real blessing for all anglers. The Corps has agreed to hold the water level near 337'A feet for as long as possible during the spring spawn," Limbird added. The Corps periodically conducts a practice Page 2 known as "hinge pool operations" to increase water velocity and flush sediment through the system. This keeps the navigation channel from silting in and decreases the amount of dredging that is required, according to Ron Carman, project manager for the Arkansas River Navigation Study. "Unfortunately, hinge pooling is most often conducted in the spring when adequate flows are present in the river. Hinge pooling is somewhat like pushing water toward the drain in your bathtub. The increased velocity of the water aids the movement of sediment, but interferes with shallow spawning species such as bass and bluegill," said AGFC Assistant Chief of Fisheries Mike Armstrong. The plan calls for the Corps to maintain the water level elevation at Lake Dardanelle when the water temperature reaches 58 degrees (usually around April 1) until mid -June — as long as adequate flows exist. Both agencies hope this is the first of several partnerships to improve habitat along the river. Hunters and fishermen, along with the AGFC and Corps, have traveled the river from the Arkansas/Oklahoma state line to Lock #2 near the Arkansas/Mississippi state line in an attempt to identify projects that could increase the fish and wildlife habitat, explained AGFC Senior Fisheries Biologist Allen Carver. "The outcome of the collaboration is improved hunting and fishing potential for the general public," he said. To follow the McClellan -Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System study process, the home page for the study is: www. swl.usace. N=.mil. .