aquatic habitat restoration in little bear creek lake joe jernigan aquatic plant manager alabama...
TRANSCRIPT
Aquatic Habitat Restoration Aquatic Habitat Restoration in Little Bear Creek Lake in Little Bear Creek Lake
Joe JerniganJoe Jernigan
Aquatic Plant ManagerAquatic Plant Manager
Alabama Wildlife and Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater FisheriesFreshwater Fisheries
Mission StatementMission Statement
The mission of the The mission of the Wildlife and Freshwater Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division is to Fisheries Division is to manage, protect, manage, protect, conserve, and enhance conserve, and enhance the wildlife and aquatic the wildlife and aquatic resources of Alabama for resources of Alabama for the sustainable benefit of the sustainable benefit of the people of Alabama.the people of Alabama.
We Work to Protect The We Work to Protect The ResourceResource
We Work to Improve the Quality We Work to Improve the Quality of Hunting and Fishing in the of Hunting and Fishing in the
State State
Areas that look like this we change Areas that look like this we change to thisto this
Good habitatGood habitat
Little Bear Creek ReservoirLittle Bear Creek Reservoir
Little Bear ProjectLittle Bear Project
B.A.S.S.B.A.S.S.
Little Bear Millennium GroupLittle Bear Millennium Group
Bear Creek Development AuthorityBear Creek Development Authority
Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater FisheriesFisheries
What’s Missing?What’s Missing?
Several limitations have likely prevented Several limitations have likely prevented natural establishment of submersed natural establishment of submersed native aquatic plants in LBCL:native aquatic plants in LBCL:
absence of a source of aquatic plant absence of a source of aquatic plant propagulespropagules
water-level fluctuationwater-level fluctuation
HerbivoryHerbivory
ApproachApproach
Monitor emergent vegetation with the Monitor emergent vegetation with the water willow beds present alreadywater willow beds present already
Plant native submerged aquatic vegetation Plant native submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) and evaluate the success(SAV) and evaluate the success
Water willowWater willow
hydroseedinghydroseeding
Approved SAVApproved SAV
Valisineria (2 forms), Valisineria (2 forms), V. americanaV. americana
Water stargrass, Water stargrass, Heteranthera dubiaHeteranthera dubia
Elodea, Elodea, E. canadensisE. canadensis
Sago pondweed, Sago pondweed, Potamogeton pectinatusPotamogeton pectinatus
American pondweed, American pondweed, P. nodosusP. nodosus
Giant pondweed, Giant pondweed, P. foliosusP. foliosus
Native SAV 06Native SAV 06
Southern ValisineriaSouthern Valisineria
American PondweedAmerican Pondweed
Water stargrassWater stargrass
ElodeaElodea
Grow out facilityGrow out facility
cagescages
July 06July 06
Sept 06Sept 06
Will it survive the drawdown?Will it survive the drawdown?
Year 2Year 2
Get graduate student on boardGet graduate student on board
Evaluate success of different plant species in the Evaluate success of different plant species in the cages. Replant sites with species that showed cages. Replant sites with species that showed the best potential to establishthe best potential to establish
Plant additional TVA approved species that we Plant additional TVA approved species that we were not able to acquire this year were not able to acquire this year
Actually hydro seed areasActually hydro seed areas
Monday Night Tournament Averages 1994-2006
5.95
5.25 5.78
5.76
4.05
3.70
3.57 4.
74
2.75
2.74 3.04 3.59
10.8
0
8.23
8.05
8.19
6.01
5.70 6.04
7.82
5.66
5.82
7.60 8.
66
16.1
5
12.1 13
.75
10.1
5
8.9
8.2 9.
7
15.7
5
11.7
3
9.23
19.3 20
.32
0.00
2.50
5.00
7.50
10.00
12.50
15.00
17.50
20.00
22.50
25.00
1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999MilleniumProjectBegan
2000 2001 2002 Slot LimitBegan
2004 2005 2006
Year
Wei
gh
t
Average Bag Weight
Average Winning Weight
Max Bag Weight
BENEFITS?BENEFITS?
Hopefully improved fish habitat which will result Hopefully improved fish habitat which will result in better fishing and better water qualityin better fishing and better water quality
Even if the plantings fail ALWFF has entered a Even if the plantings fail ALWFF has entered a relationship with angler groups that helps to relationship with angler groups that helps to foster good communicationfoster good communication
By getting anglers educated and involved there By getting anglers educated and involved there is less likelihood of them taking matters in there is less likelihood of them taking matters in there own hands and planting invasives like hydrillaown hands and planting invasives like hydrilla
Questions??????Questions??????
[email protected]@dcnr.alabama.gov
(251) 626-5153(251) 626-5153
(251) 331-7066 cell(251) 331-7066 cell