Thread: Ask the Biologist

Originally Posted by Big Mo

Anyone know the location of the Perry Lake water temperature gauge? Link below. I have noticed a 4 degree higher temp in the coves.

Perry Lake

Big Mo,

The COE lakes that have a temp gauge usually have the equipment located at the dam in the tower. I'll double check with Tj to see if this is true for Perry.

Originally Posted by Craig Johnson

Big Mo,

The COE lakes that have a temp gauge usually have the equipment located at the dam in the tower. I'll double check with Tj to see if this is true for Perry.

Big Mo,

Tj, Perry Fisheries Biologist, confirmed that the thermometer at Perry Reservoir is located at the tower on the dam.

Thank's Craig!!

Craig, I noticed several freshly cut cedar trees laying on the ground as we drove by El Dorado and noticed the same thing when we came by Hillsdale. Is there any projects underway to place more brush in these lakes?

Originally Posted by HairyVetch

Craig, I noticed several freshly cut cedar trees laying on the ground as we drove by El Dorado and noticed the same thing when we came by Hillsdale. Is there any projects underway to place more brush in these lakes?

HV,

The freshly cut cedar trees you saw at El Dorado were a result of woody vegetation invasion control efforts by the Wildlife Area Manager. I would guess that the same thing is going on at Hillsdale.

I put brush in to my lakes as I have time every winter and with the abundance of already cut cedars laying around it will be much easier to get more trees in El Dorado this winter. I have some VERY dedicated anglers helping me put trees in the lake here at El Dorado and we have really added to the cover in a number of coves.

So yes, brush pile construction continues at El Dorado.

Thanks Craig
The ones on the docks do not have water or electricity, and metal surface dulls a blade pretty quickly. Is there any reason they can't put them at the dump station up on the hill like Banner Creek? Water and a hole for sewer is already there and wouldn't take much to get power as close as the new admin. building is. Again I know this isn't your battle but thanks for your insite.

Al

Originally Posted by haugboss

Thanks Craig
The ones on the docks do not have water or electricity, and metal surface dulls a blade pretty quickly. Is there any reason they can't put them at the dump station up on the hill like Banner Creek? Water and a hole for sewer is already there and wouldn't take much to get power as close as the new admin. building is. Again I know this isn't your battle but thanks for your insite.

Al

Al,

I cannot accurately answer questions as specific as this as I don't work for the Parks Division. You and I could probably play "what-if" until the crappie spawn! To get the information you desire, I would suggest calling Eisenhower State Park and talking to the Park Manager. He will have the knowledge of facilities developement plans, budgets, and project priority rankings to answer your questions better than I. The Eisenhower State Park phone number is 785-528-4102.

I hope this helps get your questions answered.

Thanks.

Craig is the effort and any funds spent on controlling zebra mussels wasted ? I mean its a matter of time right? Perry, Eldorado, Cheney, Marion, and now Wilson. We're gonna have to learn to live with them so whats the short on how they'll affect fishing in our lakes in say 5 years? thanks

No kidding on the horse muscles, that really worries me. I don't know how it will affect brush piles in 15 ft of water. Can you even jig in them anymore without cutting your Power Pro or will the crappie use them when they are full of shells from muscles.

The worst part is it's only a matter of hours before Hillsdale has them, that lake gets more traffic than any a lake 1/2 it's size should. I have a little pond just down the street from my house in my neighborhood and we drain the livewell when we get home. I hate the smell that fish scum makes in a closed livewell after a short while, but when I drain my well it runs down the road about 40 yards into the storm drain into the pond 50 yards from there. You can't tell me the water doesn't make it to the pond and that thing will be full if I don't watch my use and there is only one person to blame if that happens. Sucks when you have to drain a full livewell 4 times a week. :D

Originally Posted by go dart

Craig is the effort and any funds spent on controlling zebra mussels wasted ? I mean its a matter of time right? Perry, Eldorado, Cheney, Marion, and now Wilson. We're gonna have to learn to live with them so whats the short on how they'll affect fishing in our lakes in say 5 years? thanks

Go Dart,

The efforts and money spent on zebra mussels are not a waste. The longer a water body remains zebra mussel free, the less the environmental and economical impact. The fewer infested waters we have means there are fewer places for lake users to "pick up" zebra mussels which lessens the chances of another new infestation. The control practices that are recommended for zebra mussels also stop the spread of many other aquatic nuisance species that can damage our lakes and fisheries.

It is still very disappointing the number of people that fail to follow the recommended control practices to prevent the spread. Clean, Drain, and Dry is pretty simple! Moving lake water from one drainage to another is one of the biggest problems but one of the easiest for a person to avoid. Before you leave the lake, PULL THE PLUG!

You've asked the million dollar question...What will it be like in 5 years? I could rattle on about what has happened at El Dorado during the first five years but each lake will probably react slightly differently. As zebra mussels densely colonize shorelines (and ANYTHING else in the water) line abrasion from the sharp shells will cause many break offs and lost fish. Habitat for fish degrades as brush, rock, and other hiding areas can become completely "clogged" with zebra mussels. Competition increases for forage fish and larval sportfish as the filter feeding of the zebra mussels removes plankton from the water column. Now El Dorado will also be dealing with white perch in addition to the zebra mussels. Yes, we do still have fish at El Dorado but these fish will be facing many more challenges than they had to before the invasion of the zebra mussels and white perch.

In case you all haven't heard yet, zebra mussels were discovered in Milford Reservoir earlier this week. You can go to
ZEBRA MUSSELS SPREAD TO MILFORD RESERVOIR / KDWP Info / KDWP - KDWP for more info.