Lakes Committee Mtg 04-10-24 – Emphasis on Electrofishing

The Hot Springs Village Lakes Committee met on April 10, 2024. Before their regular meeting, they held a Special (Private) Session to provide background information on the new prospective Committee Members and vote on new officers. Additionally, Lakes Supervisor Katy Harmon gave a thorough presentation on electrofishing.*

Three new Lakes Committee Members are tentatively set for Board approval on Wednesday, April 17, 2024:

• Charles (Chuck) Taylor
• Wayne Crump
• Ken Dziuk

The new Committee Members replace end-of-term Members Carol Dyer, Concetta (Pookie) Dixon, and Vice Chairman Dwayne Shipman.

The officers to be elected at the next meeting are:

• Chairman, Lavon Winkler
• Vice Chairman, Ken Dziuk
• Secretary, Kyle Keeley

The Committee Members who attended the meeting were Steve FitzGerald (Chair), Dwayne Shipman (Vice Chair), Russ Grimes, Carol Dyer, Pookie Dixon, Ken Guzel, Lavon Winkler, Kyle Keeley, and Glenn Peterson. Katy Harmon, Lakes Supervisor, was present.

Chair FitzGerald said the Lakes Department generates revenue of $192 K annually from boat and trailer registration fees, ramp use fees, and aquatic spraying, etc.

Staff Report – Katy Harmon

• The boat ramp at Lake Maria is still closed. The water level as of this morning is still -2’3”. It will be re-opened when the water level becomes safe to launch.
• An amphibious excavator started work on Lake Sophia last week to level dredge mounds that posed a navigational issue.
  • The draw-down valve was opened on April 3rd, 2024, to lower the water level to identify the top of the mounds.
  • The lake is currently at -1’6.5” and will remain at this level until work is completed.
  • Work was expected to be completed this week; however, due to the risk of severe weather and the excavator’s inability to work, it may not be completed until early next week.
• We are still seeing pollen on the water. If you see any green/yellow particles floating on the surface, don’t be alarmed. This is also the time of year when we start to see filamentous algae due to rising water temperatures transitioning from cooler to warmer.
• We are getting into “storm season.”
  • Please always be weather-aware, secure your boats, kayaks, etc., and pull them up far enough away from the shoreline in the event that water levels rise quickly.
  • Check your ropes frequently because they can deteriorate quickly when constantly exposed to the elements.
• Beavers
  • Please report any beaver sightings you may see on or around the lakes.
• Electrofishing
  • We are watching water temperatures closely.
  • Anticipate electrofishing to begin in the next couple of days.
  • A projected schedule of lakes will be provided once exact dates are determined.
  • Reminder:
    • Please DO NOT shine lights into the boat as this impairs the visibility of the driver.
    • Headsets are worn while sampling and if you try to communicate with anyone on the boat, they cannot hear you and the boat will continue.
    • For the safety of yourself and the staff, please stay away from the boat if you see it approaching your shoreline. This boat produces electricity that can be fatal.
    • Sampling occurs late at night and sometimes into early morning. The staff tries to be courteous and keep the noise to a minimum.
• In 2023 we have complaints about vegetation on Lakes Segovia and Estrella. It was stated that we would stock triploid grass carp in 2024 in these two lakes for a natural method of control versus chemical applications.
• On March 29, 2024, 30 Triploid Grass Carp were stocked in Lake Segovia. Seventy Triploid Grass Carp stocked in Lake Strella. All fish stocked were 12″ minimum.
• The Golf Department requested Grass Carp to be stocked in 17 ponds. Forty (eight to 11-inch fish,were stocked.

Goose Egg Addling

Harmon said only 100% corn oil may be used for addling geese eggs. FitzGerald said the number of geese nests is lower this year.

Hot Springs Village Anglers Club

The Anglers Fishing Seminar will be on Saturday, April 13. Katy Harmon will be presenting at the sold out event.

Hosted by the Hot Springs Village Anglers Club, Military Fishing Day is scheduled for Wednesday, May 15, 2024. The club invites airmen from the Little Rock Air Force Base for a morning of fishing on Lake Balboa. Lunch is provided.

The end of the Balboa Pier is hard to see at night, Harmon and her team applied reflective tape for better nighttime visibility.

Hot Springs Village Baitcasters Club

The Hot Springs Village Baitcasters recently took a fishing trip to Greeson. There was a lot of wind, so they were only able to fish a few hours a day. Another trip to Greeson is coming up on April 21.

The Baitcasters installed 15 Georgia Cubes in the lakes. The cost for the cubes is almost $200 a piece, which the club pays for. Here is a link to an article about Georgia Cubes.

Balboa Yacht Club

The Balboa Yacht Club had a pre-eclipse boat parade.

Last year it was noted that the end of the Balboa pier was dark. Harmon and her team have applied reflective tape on the dock.

Visitor Comments

Cor Langewis said he owns three vacation rental lake houses on Lake DeSoto. He also owns a home on Lake Coronado, where he resides.

Langewis is interested in promoting kayak and watercraft safety and supplied the committee with an informational chart. The committee will investigate publishing some information on water temperature and lake safety. The Committee publishes lake temperature readings on social media.

Langewis was also concerned about the Coronado dredging drawdown. He wants the lake to be drawn down to five feet instead of an eight-feet. Harmon said a five-foot drawdown will not allow access to a cove.

Next Meeting

The next meeting is scheduled for 8 May 2024, at 8:30 AM, Room #6, Coronado Community Center. This will be the final committee session of the 2023-24 sessions, and the final session for Carol Dyer, Pookie Dixon, & our Vice Chairman, Dwayne Shipman. There WILL be donuts or cookies…

*Electrofishing is a technique scientists use to capture fish for study without causing permanent harm. It is a valuable method for monitoring fish populations, assessing the health of aquatic ecosystems, and supporting conservation efforts. Electrical currents are sent into the water, momentarily stunning the fish and making them easy to collect. This method allows researchers to examine the fish for counting, measuring, or tagging before safely releasing them back into their environment.

By Cheryl Dowden