The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, in conjunction with the False River Watershed Council and Pointe Coupee Parish Police Jury, has suspended the drawdown of False River for 2017.
The drawdown began on September 5 and the water level had been lowered at a rate of 1.5 inches per day, to approximately 5.5 feet below normal pool elevation, as a management tool to improve water quality, decrease sedimentation and improve sportfish habitat.
The drawdown structure was scheduled to close on January 15, 2018. However, due to heavy rainfall over the past weekend the lake water level had increased to 17.4 feet MSL, 1.4 feet above pool stage, as of October 25, 2017.
The discharge rate of 1.5 inches per day precludes the lake from being lowered for a sufficient amount of time, and to a significant level this year in order to achieve appreciable benefits from a drawdown.
Due to the suspension of the drawdown this year and the limited benefits achieved from this drawdown, an additional drawdown will be considered in the future.
For additional information regarding the suspension of the drawdown, contact Brian Heimann, LDWF Biologist Manager, at bheimann@wlf.la.gov, or (225) 765-2337.