Precious fishing spot threatened by drought

 No comments  
 E-mail Story
 Print Story
  Share

 digg it!
 Facebook
 del.icio.us
Seed Newsvine
Fark It
Reddit

Text Size: 

Tools Sponsor

BY ALGIS J. LAUKAITIS / Lincoln Journal Star

GRAND ISLAND — Elwood Reservoir, one of the top trophy fishing spots in Nebraska, could be in serious trouble this year and next if the drought doesn't break. Fish kills are possible, along with blooms of toxic blue-green algae. If the reservoir gets too low, fish salvage operations may be necessary.

Worst-case scenario: Elwood Reservoir could lose most of its walleye, wipers and catfish in 2006. "We think we can sustain the fishery through this fall but this may change," said Don Gabelhouse, fisheries administrator for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

Gabelhouse briefed commissioners Friday on the agency's contingency plans for the Elwood and Johnson reservoirs if the drought, now entering its sixth year, continues and water levels fall too low. The commission has developed similar plans for Lake McConaughy and Lake Ogallala in western Nebraska.

Elwood and Johnson, both south of Lexington, would be impacted by drought conditions but the Elwood fishery would suffer greater loss.

"Elwood is one of our highest fisheries in the state," he told commissioners. "It's an excellent reservoir."

The Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District, which operates an irrigation canal system that connects Elwood and Johnson to Lake McConaughy, didn't transfer any water to Elwood last fall or winter. Barring heavy rains in the region, that won't change this summer.

"There are no plans to put water in Elwood Reservoir," said Tim Anderson, spokesman for Central.

If no water is delivered in 2006, then the reservoir level could drop to well below the 23 feet of depth, the minimum for the fish survival.

"Currently, there are no natural flows from the Platte River approved," Gabelhouse told commissioners.

Johnson will continue to receive enough water to avoid a fishery crash, but it also suffers from lower water levels.

If conditions change and there's more water available, Central may reconsider, Gabelhouse said, however the fishery may have to compete with other uses for the water.

Commissioner Jerrod Burke of Curtis said the reservoirs bring a lot of people and money into the area. He said it is difficult to gauge the economic impact if water levels continue to decline.

"It depends on what happens with the fishery itself," Burke said.

Since the drought, the commission has spent about $95,000 to extend the boat ramp at Elwood Reservoir and make it more functional for fishermen.

"At some point, you have to draw the line and say you are not going to chase the water," Gabelhouse said, explaining that the agency won't extend the boat ramp further.

The fisheries division plans to monitor the situation at Elwood. Gabelhouse said if there is a major kill then fish stocking will be stopped until the reservoir refills.

The commission plans to lift current fishing regulations and shift to salvage operations if Central does not approve inflows into Elwood for 2006.

However, netting and moving the fish may not be feasible because other reservoirs in the region are in the same drought-stricken condition, Gabelhouse said. The fish would be stressed and getting to them would be difficult. He would prefer allowing the pubic come in and take the fish.

"We're not removing dead fish. We'll leave them there to add to the productivity of the reservoir's fishery," he said.

On the positive side, with water levels so low, commission staff will be able to improve lake habitat with wood and brush piles. They also may be able to seal some leaks in the bottom of the reservoir.

"We lose about a half a foot of water a month due to seepage loss," Gabelhouse said.

In other business, the commission:

n Approved a lease and management agreement with the Nebraska Game and Parks Foundation for 160 acres of wildlife habitat near O'Neill in Holt County. The land will be designated the O. John Emerson Wildlife Management Area. Commission Director Rex Amack noted that Emerson, who bequeathed the property to the foundation, also left a "substantial amount of money" in an endowment that will be used to pay taxes on the property.

n Added the Rocky Mountain goat to its list of species that can be imported into Nebraska.

n Changed management of  the Randall W. Schilling Wildlife Management Area, located at the confluence of the Missouri and Platte rivers near Plattsmouth. Snow geese populations have steadily declined each year, so the commission plans to open the 1,755 acres to other types of hunting, said Jeff Hoffman, assistant administrator of the commission's wildlife division. "The harvest of geese has been nil," he said. "There have been no snow geese killed in the last two years." The commission agreed to eliminate the controlled waterfowl hunting area and allow for upland bird, dove, turkey and other types of hunting. A chute, a narrow channel branching off the main river, also will be developed by the U.S. Corps of Engineers to enhancing fishing.

Reach Algis J. Laukaitis at 473-7243 or alaukaitis@journalstar.com.