(Lewis) In an effort to control aquatic vegetation there will be a one foot draw down of the lake at Cold Springs Park in Lewis.
Keeping the plant growth in check has been a recurring struggle as described by Fisheries Biologist Bryan Hayes. “Cold Springs is a pretty shallow lake. The average depth is six feet. The maximum depth is 14 feet. We get light penetration to the bottom on nearly 90% of the surface acres there at Cold Springs. That combination of light penetration reaching to the bottom, plenty of water to grow plants, and the nutrients are available. Those three things grow a lot of plants in Cold Springs.”
Hayes says approximately 90% of the surface acres grow plants and the ideal figure is closer to 25-30%. “You start impacting your fish population when you have excess vegetation. It provides too much cover for small fish. Those predatory fish like bass can’t graze down those bluegills and you can end up with an over abundance of bluegills which slows their growth and impacts the size structure. Too much vegetation impacts the fishery that way, but it really deters any water based recreation whether it is fishing or swimming or kayaking.”
An aquatic herbicide will be used. It will not close the lake to fishing or swimming. The water level is expected to return to normal within two to three weeks.
