CHEROKEE VILLAGE, ARKANSAS: LAKE MANAGEMENT REPORT

INTIAL EVALUATION- Report dated May, 28th 2024

The following report is a preliminary detailed look at the existing conditions of the

Cherokee Village Arkansas lakes. It is broken down into seven main categories

that cover some of the primary management issues facing all of the lakes here in

Cherokee Village. Its purpose is to provide the necessary preliminary information

regarding the current conditions and future needs of the lakes and begin the

process of creating a sufficient operating budget for the future. Lake management

is an ongoing, long-term endeavor and we recommend planning, budgeting, and

implementing the program over the next 10 years, while continuing to monitor

and amend the plan as needed as you progress.

Lake Descriptions:

NAME

ACERAGE/TYPE

DEPTH

SHORELINE

Lake Aztec

21.024 Acres/Fishing

Max 40 Feet

.987 Miles

Lake Chanute

55.612 Acres/Fishing

Max 40 Feet

2.273 Miles

Lake Cherokee

37 Acres/Fishing

Max 40 Feet

1.416 Miles

Lake Navajo

34 Acres/Fishing

Max 25 ft at Dam

1.06 Miles

Lake Omaha

142.216

Acres/Fishing,

Boating, Skiing

Max 40 ft at Dam

4.7 Miles

Lake Sequoyah

75.5 Acres/Fishing,

Boating

Max 55 ft at Dam

2.361 Miles

Lake Thunderbird

264 Acres/Fishing,

Boating, Skiing

Max 75 ft at Dam

Avg 25 Feet

7.2 Miles

DAMS: Obviously the dams are an extremely important part of the lake

management program, and its maintenance is regulated by the state. Although

these Dams have all been recently inspected by the S.I.D. staff, we have also

briefly inspected all seven dams and have observed the following potential issues:

Significant leaking on the downstream slope of Lake Sequoyah.

Some unwanted tree saplings and vegetation in isolated areas of several Dam

slopes.

Multiple animal burrows along with other holes and surface irregularities.

Keeping both the upstream face and the downstream face of each dam well

maintained is critical to the long range management plan. Allowing trees,

burrowing animals or erosion issues to go unchecked can lead to future issues

with the overall integrity of the dams.

Regular inspections are necessary to monitor these potential negative issues.

Regular mowing and tree removal is necessary. Properly timed and approved

Herbicide and Growth Regulators, applied by a licensed applicator, will also be an

important part of the management program needed to properly maintain these

dams.

Specialized Outdoor Services can provide quotes for Herbicide and Growth

Regulators and/or Mowing Services as needed.

LAUNCH RAMPS: The boat launch ramps are certainly outdated and quite narrow

and short. Some are in need of repair to the concrete. Parking is limited in most

situations. However, with the small size of some of the lakes, increased parking

areas are probably not too important overall. Repairing deteriorated concrete,

enlarging the ramp itself or increasing parking should be future considerations

and could be performed during lake level draw downs related to dam repairs

and/or dredging operations.

SEDIMENT MANAGEMENT: This is a major concern for the lakes and has been

overlooked for decades. Large amounts of silt and organic matter have been

flowing into the lakes unchecked for 50 years or more, depending on the

individual lake. This sediment is detrimental to the overall health and condition of

the lakes. This sediment is one of the causes of invasive aquatic vegetation and

algae in lakes. It can tie up large amount of nutrients that can diminish the overall

water quality and lower fish and forage production capacity. It also displaces the

overall water volume and can make some areas so shallow that boat traffic is

limited in certain areas. In some cases it can make boat navigation and access into

docks difficult and eventually impossible. It also diminishes recreational uses,

such as swimming. In addition, this sediment is detrimental to game fish

populations as these fish require a hard bottom to successfully build their

spawning beds and produce fry each year. Although the “Average Sediment

Depth’s” are less than I expected, the current sediment depth is limiting game fish

production as well as some of the forage fish production.

We have done extensive depth checking of the sediment in each lake and have

mapped out some of the areas that are most affected. Although there is sediment

in all of the lake bottoms, we have focused on the inflows, around marinas, parks

and boat ramps for this initial evaluation.

Some areas have a substantial amount of rock and gravel mixed into the sediment

and other areas are more silt and organic debris without much rock or gravel

mixed in it.

Unfortunately, this will be one of the most difficult, time consuming and costly

parts of the future lake management issues in Cherokee Village.

Dredging is the only way to remove this unwanted material and can be a very

extensive process. I have been involved in several methods of dredging and have

observed a considerable amount of dredging operations and methods. Most

dredging operations tend to revolve around the concept that they will be

completely removing all the sediment down to the hard pan within certain

selected, generally broad areas.

Mechanical Dredging using various types of dredging equipment is the most

common method used in these types of lakes.

Hydraulic Dredging is used when accessing the lakes and is an issue for the

equipment that’s used in most mechanical operations.

Accessing our lakes will be a challenge due to the lack of common property suited

to bring the necessary land equipment and material in and out of the lake

bottom. In that situation, hydraulic dredging from a floating barge is the common

recommendation. It requires that the material collected be put into large,

perforated bags that will drain out the water. Then these bags are offloaded from

the collection barge and stockpiled along the lakeshore and /or Dam for removal

when dried. Then generally another contractor is required to haul the material

out, unless it can be accomplished with S.I.D. employees and equipment.

Hydraulic dredging is going to be the most expensive method and will require out-

of-state contractors. In most cases, you will end up on a long waiting list. The last

200 acre lake in Arkansas that I know of, who contracted a hydraulic dredging

contractor, spent over $500,000.00. And the contractor went way past the

projected time of completion. Although this method can be very effective in many

situations, it may not be feasible here at this time.

Mechanical dredging will be somewhat less costly and easier to find contractors

or own the necessary equipment. However, accessing the lakes will be an issue as

well as stockpiling the material removed. Without common areas that are

practical (not too steep or heavily wooded) to bring equipment and material in

and out, it will be a very long and limited process and will increase cost. And the

material we haul out will require months to dry out along the lakeshore

somewhere, before it can be hauled away. The cost of this process would be

calculated and quoted by most contractors based on the cubic yards of material

removed from the lake bottom. Due to the time considerations of this process,

multiple contractors are usually required to complete the process in a timely

manner.

Lake Drawdown: The mechanical dredging process will require a drawdown of

the lakes. Based on our findings we would need to have access out to the 6-10

foot contour lines to make any significant differences. This would require

lowering the lakes down 8-12 feet to be able to access the target areas with

bulldozers, track hoes, backhoes, skid loaders and small dump trucks. This process

will take approximately 1 month to lower the lake, 1-2 months to dry out the

bottom enough to work in it, 1-2 months to remove material and 1 to 2 months to

refill the lake. All of this is dependent upon the total area selected to dredge and

the depth of material removed as well as the amount of precipitation received

during the entire process, which can make the project timeframe vary

significantly in either direction.

Generally, a schedule of lowering the lake beginning in late September or early

October, working through the late fall and winter is the best strategy to plan for.

Then we would normally receive enough precipitation in March, April and May to

refill the lake.

This basic mechanical method of dredging would be feasible for the most part

here, but still difficult due to the limited access and the areas available to

stockpile the material removed.

Recommendations: After assessing the situation here in Cherokee Village, I

would make the following recommendations for a long-term dredging plan. I

would advise a targeted approach in order to get the most benefit from your

budget and remove the most amount of material where it is needed. This

approach will also widen your available timeframe, allow more flexibility, and

reduce the overall inconvenience to the property owners.

I recommend scheduling each lake for drawdown every seven years. In your

situation, that puts each lake lowered and dredged as needed once every eight

years. This would also allow homeowners to address any concerns they have with

their shoreline property needs or dock repairs, etc., within the guidelines of the

S.I.D. However, with the following method, the lakes would not have to be

lowered out to the 8-12 foot contour lines. Lowering the lakes to the 6-8 foot

contour would be sufficient in most of the lakes.

I recommend using a combination of conventional excavating equipment where

accessible, preferably utilizing this equipment working in the larger areas within

the inlet creeks and larger flat coves, if access is obtainable.

The remainder of the dredging along the lake shoreline would be targeted

specifically around docks, marinas, parks and boat ramps using an Amphibious

Excavator. This will allow you to target these areas, precisely and as specifically

as needed. It will also help reduce the overall total cubic yards of material

removed, thus reducing cost. This process will make sure each dock has a clear

channel to the deeper water. This will also reduce weed and algae populations in

those areas and increase other recreational activities around the docks, parks and

marinas as well as make vital spawning habitat for game fish, providing ample

cover is available for them. (See fish habitat section). This process will also allow

the entire work timeframe to increase. This equipment can work both on land and

in up to 4-6 feet of water depending on equipment size. The material removal

process can begin before full lake drawdown is achieved and go on well into the

refilling process. The material still has to be loaded on to a floating barge and

then unloaded on shore. Then it will still need drying time before final removal.

This material can be used for other fill needs or projects once it is dry. Or it could

be sold, added to compost, or donated.

With the upcoming repair needed on the Sequoyah dam, a significant lake

drawdown will be required. Scheduling any dredging operations would be best

scheduled to coincide with the dam repair project on that lake.

Specialized Outdoor Services can provide quotes as needed on Amphibious

Excavator dredging or conventional equipment mechanical dredging.

I have attached some maps indicating some of the sediment locations and depths

in the lakes.

EROSION CONTROL: Controlling erosion around the lake shore is an important

component of managing the sediment coming into the lakes. Construction on the

lake shore needs to be monitored and properly regulated in the form of

mandatory erosion control methods with the approved materials and installation

methods. If not already in place, I would consider implementing mandatory

guidelines for controlling erosion to lake shore construction sites and/or enforcing

rules already in place. The state has some guidelines on this subject if needed.

I have included a picture of a lot cleared this past winter on Omaha and is a great

example of what should not be allowed. This is how more and more sediment will

get into the lakes, and it is one of the few ways erosion happens that you can

control to a large degree.

Specialized Outdoor Services can professionally install or sell erosion control

products if needed.

WATER QUALITY: Each lake has had a basic water test done for Nutrient loads,

PH, Alkalinity, Hardness, Conductivity, Carbonates and Bicarbonates. All of the

Cherokee Village lakes fall within the normal parameters of lakes within this

region and no serious problems exist.

Although none are expected due to the low nutrient loads, we have not tested for

Cyanobacteria at this time. If testing is done, I recommend taking samples during

the warmer months when surface water temperatures are above 80 degrees.

These bacteria can consume oxygen from the lakes, reduce the microorganisms,

promote non beneficial or toxic algae, diminish the food chain and can produce

toxins unsafe for animals and humans. These Cyanobacteria are not normally an

issue on these types of lakes in this region, and I have no reason to believe they

will be a problem in the future.

I have attached the individual laboratory results for each lake to this report.

AQUATIC VEGETATION AND ALGAE MANAGEMENT: The lakes in Cherokee

Village do not have a substantial aquatic weed population. However,

management is still necessary to maintain a good balance of beneficial

vegetation, while not allowing them to become overpopulated. If left untreated,

they can overgrow and consume too much oxygen from the lakes, restrict boat

travel, swimming, fishing and other recreational activities as well as become

unsightly.

A selective aquatic weed control program was implemented on all of the lakes in

2023 and will continue in 2024 with some additional areas being included this

year.

The primary plants we have in the lakes are American Water Willow and Water

Lilies. Both do provide several benefits to the lakes. They help stabilize bottom

sediment, consume nutrients from the sediment, stabilize shoreline soils and

provide cover for microorganisms, insects and forage fish as well as cover for

spawning game fish and their fry.

We do have some very isolated areas of Water Primrose as well, and it also does

provide some benefits to the overall eco system of a healthy lake.

The American Water Willow is the most prevalent weed we have and is found

along the shoreline of all of the lakes growing from the shoreline out to as much

as 3 feet of depth.

The Water Lily is not as prevalent, however can be more invasive in nature, due

the fact that it can completely cover the surface of large areas, if left unmanaged.

(In 2022 Lake Cherokee did have a large population on the south end of the lake

that covered about 4 acres in a solid mat. We have cleaned that up and reduced

the population by 95% at this time.).

The proper aquatic weed control program should be selective and balanced.

Allowing as many areas of the lake to support a managed population of beneficial

aquatic vegetation helps promote a healthy lake and productive fishery.

Targeting the areas around docks, parks, Dams and other high use recreational

areas, while allowing the less developed or undeveloped areas to remain intact

and untreated, will provide a good balance for these lakes.

Selecting the proper chemistry, application timing, rates and methods are all

critical to environmental safety and weed control effectiveness, and we do not

recommend allowing unlicensed applicators or property owners to apply any

chemicals to the lakes.

There are several types of algae that occur in the lakes with Chara Algae being the

most abundant. The Chara does have some ecological benefits similar to some

aquatic plants. It does provide some sediment stabilization, cover for small

aquatic animals, invertebrates and forage species as well as small game fish.

Chara also provides food for some fish and waterfowl. However, an over

abundance of this algae can be an issue with oxygen consumption as well

restricting boat navigation, swimming, fishing and other recreational activities.

Another type of algae present in the lakes is Filamentous Algae. These algae grow

in long strands from the lake bottom until eventually trapping gases, breaking

loose and floating to the surface. This generally happens in the mid to late

summer. Although there are some ecological benefits to the lakes food chain

from these algae, an over abundance can become an unsightly nuisance as well as

cause oxygen depletion and in some cases release toxins into the water body.

Both of these types of algae are promoted by excessive nutrients in the sediment

collected on the lake bottom and are extremely difficult and somewhat costly to

control without addressing the sediment issues.

In 2023 we targeted several areas on the lakes and treated multiple times with an

approved Algaecide and will be expanding those treatments in 2024.

We also have some amount of Planktonic Algae, but due to the low amounts of

soluble nutrients in the water column, not enough is present for good fish

production. This is the most beneficial algae we have in the lakes. This algae floats

within the water column and is sometimes confused with dirty water. Planktonic

algae are the base of the food chain. They are fed by zooplankton (microscopic

animals), which in turn, become food for forage fish species. Lakes with abundant

planktonic algae are often able to support large populations of fish that grow

more quickly. This type of algae can be manipulated with precise nutrient

applications to the lakes and will be discussed further in the fisheries

management section of this report.

Some of the lakes aquatic plant and algae issues are promoted by old septic

systems around the lake shores that allow excessive nutrients such as

Phosphorous into the lake and those nutrients settle into the bottom sediment

and encourage weed and algae growth. Although, neither Phosphorous or

Nitrogen were at problematic levels in our water samples as a soluble form in the

water column, bottom sediment will have some amount of these nutrients tied

up, and we have tested for that, but are still awaiting the results at the time of

this report.

Grass Carp: (White Amur) When lake managers are discussing aquatic weed and

algae control, the subject of grass carp comes up on a regular basis. These carp

are not something that I recommend for your lakes. Although sterile fish are

available to purchase, years of working with these fish has proven that their

sterility is not guaranteed, and they can become an invasive species in many

lakes. Like all creatures they do have preferred foods and will choose their

favorite plants first and not eat other plants until they have completely depleted

their preferred food source. Here in the Village lakes, we do not have any of their

most favorite plants. The Chara and some of the Filamentous algae are about the

only things they will consume in these lakes, and they do not consistently control

either. Although the young Carp do eat a great deal and grow fast, once they

reach 5-7 years of age, their eating habits are greatly reduced, and they become

less and less effective overall. They are expensive to stock and eventually can

become a nuisance. We do not recommend them in your lakes at this time.

The subject of a Bow Fishing Tournament has been brought up and this is an

acceptable way of eliminating the large carp from the lakes. Having an

organized event such as this is a good management tool for removal of these

fish. However, these tournaments are done at night with boats equipped with

noisy generators and bright lights, along with people talking and sometimes

yelling, so the residents along the lake may not enjoy them much. I would

recommend that if this removal method is considered, along with strict

monitoring, having some type of fee in place would be to your benefit. Then you

can utilize any monies collected from the event to put back into the lake

management budget.

FISHERIES MANAGEMENT: This topic is quite comprehensive and must be

managed over many years to create and maintain productivity. Although the

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission have assisted in some management over the

years, such as electro shock surveys, they have not done any in the recent past.

Generally, the only other service they would offer outside of setting state

regulations would be to offer some stocking efforts according to their electro

shock survey results and their basic guidelines for fish populations.

My recommendation would be to plan and budget to maintain the lakes within

the complete control of the Cherokee Village S.I.D. This strategy, although a little

more costly, gives you the control to customize your entire lake management

program, including fisheries management for each individual lake. It also gives

you the ability to control the schedule of events and not be at the mercy of a

state agency. Their approach is not going to be based on each individual lake, and

they only provide their services as their schedule and budget permits.

My initial suggestion would be to consider approaching each lake individually. For

example, we might choose to manage some lakes for a large population of game

fish (Bass for example) and maybe one or two more lakes for trophy quality fish,

using length limits and/or slot limits to allow fish to reach their full potential.

Then we might choose another lake to focus more on managing pan fish like

Crappie or Hybrid Brim. Of course, Catfish and Bluegill can fit into every lakes

management goal. This customized strategy allows the most diverse situation and

caters to a higher number of anglers within the community.

Each lake would require a slightly different approach in management and

regulations. This type of strategy would also help control cost, as we can focus on

priorities on a lake to lake and per acre basis. Pretty much everything we do will

come down to a cost per acre situation for budgeting purposes.

The following subcategories will describe the basic components of fisheries

management for your lakes.

A: Electro Shocking Survey: This survey is one of the primary population

monitoring tools available to fisheries managers. When done properly and on an

ongoing basis, it can provide a good indication of numbers, size and age classes of

fish in individual lakes. Although the survey results can vary due to water

temperature, barometric pressure, water clarity, habitat, bottom structure, and

weather conditions. (calm conditions are best), multiple years of testing can

provide valuable information and help direct the resources in the most cost-

effective way. Water temperature is very important, and it can be the deciding

factor in good sampling. The survey should be done at night when the surface

water temperatures are between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Typically, March-

May or September- November is best. This type of survey does not injure any fish

and all the fish are released back into the lake after the data is collected. The data

collected over time will provide insight into the weights, sex, age classes, growth

rates and production rates as well as help us evaluate the overall health of the

lakes. This will provide the information necessary to make good decisions on

stocking game fish and forage fish as well as making nutrient applications and

habitat installation decisions.

The cost of these surveys will range between $650.00 and $1250.00 per lake

depending on time spent and the size of the areas sampled. Specialized Outdoor

Services can provide this service if needed.

B: Nutrient Applications: Applying nutrients to lakes can be a very important and

productive tool in fisheries management when done correctly in the right

situations. Adversely, it can have considerable negative effects when improperly

applied. The food chain in the lakes starts primarily with Phytoplankton. Dissolved

nutrients in the water promote blooms of microscopic Planktonic algae, which

then provide food for zooplankton and other invertebrates. These organisms are

eaten by young game fish and forage fish. Fertilization can manipulate and

increase the naturally occurring dissolved nutrients in the lakes. These nutrients

promote these desirable algae blooms resulting in increased biological

productivity at every level in the lakes ecosystems. Fertilized lakes are capable of

significantly increased productivity compared to infertile lakes in almost all cases.

Fertilized lakes are capable of producing 3-4 times more fish biomass compared

to unfertilized lakes. As productivity increases, forage fish species thrive on the

abundance of food, resulting in better growth rates for game fish.

However, there is a very specific set of criteria that needs to be carefully adhered

to before any lake fertilization occurs. Each lake needs specific data collected and

then a custom fertilizer program established for each lake. Selecting the proper

ratio of nutrients and the best formulation is critical, as well as is applying the

correct amount for the target area. Using the most effective application method

and timing is also important to success. Once a custom program is designed for

each individual lake, we can estimate a cost per lake.

We recommend using professionals to make these applications and we can

provide this service on your lakes, if needed.

C: Habitat Management and Installation: Habitat is a major component in

fisheries management and can be divided into two main categories for these

lakes. Structure and Cover. Structure can be defined as underwater points, ledges,

drop offs and other irregular lake bottom features. Cover is defined as docks,

weed lines, submerged wood or rocks and any man made features. While these

lakes do have an adequate amount of structure, they have a very limited amount

of cover. Over the years the majority of the woody cover that was originally in the

lakes, or installed throughout the years, is either completely decomposed or

mostly decomposed and is of no real value to these fisheries. As a general rule,

for a fishery to be productive, it needs quality cover in 15% of its total area.

(Examples: Lake Cherokee is 37 acres so recommended cover area is 5.5 acres.

Lake Thunderbird is 264 acres so recommended cover area is 39.6 acres). Meeting

these guidelines can be an extensive undertaking and can be costly in most cases.

Installing as much cover as is possible into strategic areas and at some specific

depth ranges can make a huge positive impact on fish production, recruitment

and survival rates.

I recommend using artificial cover as opposed to natural cover for the majority of

any cover installations you do in these lakes. However, if adequate wood cover is

available for no cost, it can be used in conjunction with the artificial habitat.

Submerging large amounts of natural cover into the lakes will contribute to the

organic debris added to the lake bottom as they decompose over the years. And

as they decompose, they are no longer good cover for the fish and forage.

The artificial habitat provides permanent cover once installed and does not have

to be replenished over the years. It will not decompose and consume oxygen from

the water like wood or deposit unwanted organic debris on the lake bottom. It

will allow a Biofilm to form on its surfaces that will provide food for

microorganisms, thus promoting the food chain and attracting more game fish

and forage species. Artificial habitat is easier to install, more forgiving to angler’s

hooks getting hung up, thus reducing fishing line waste in the lakes and it is a one-

time expense for purchase and installation.

We can provide you with an excellent artificial habitat product made here in

Arkansas and install it strategically and selectively into the lakes if this highly

productive management practice is adopted.

D: Forage Introduction: This is one of the three most important components of a

productive fisheries management program. Along with habitat and the proper

nutrient balance in the lake this is an important part of a healthy and productive

fishery.

In the case of all of the lakes in the Village, the forage base is low. Although I am

not able to base that conclusion on an actual electro fishing survey at this time, I

have used sonar, basic observation and discussions with other local anglers and I

am sure that the lack of forage biomass is one of the biggest limiting factors we

have here with annual fry recruitment, growth rates and overall fish health.

(I have lived here and observed these lakes for 25 years)

There are multiple forage species used and recommended in this area of the

country. However, I would only recommend 2 of these species. The Threadfin

Shad and the Bluegill are the primary forage species I would recommend for

stocking in your lakes. These species will be the most cost effective, sustainable,

and productive forage you can use in these lakes.

The Threadfin shad is found in all of our Highland Reservoir lakes and provide a

tremendous food source for game fish. These shad can spawn multiple times in a

season, producing a large population for game fish to prey on. They rarely grow

larger than 6 inches and are not excessively fast swimmers, making them fairly

easy prey for most all game fish. Threadfin are sensitive to cold water and can

experience some die off in water temperatures below 43 degrees Fahrenheit.

They can also be difficult to purchase and typically have to be booked in the fall

and stocked in the spring. They are sold in volume loads of 8,000 – 10,000 per

load delivered and are recommended at 1 load per 10 acres of surface area. That

rate can be adjusted up or down depending on conditions or budget.

The Bluegill is another commonly known species that thrive well in our area and

are prolific producers. They are capable of spawning 4-5 times in a season and

producing many pounds of food for predators such as Bass and Crappie. They

typically do not need to be restocked often and sometimes can produce good

forage indefinitely in a healthy eco system. The Bluegill is readily available from

fish producers and can be stocked in spring or fall. Recommended stocking rates

are 500-1000 per acre, but can be customized per lake as needed.

I would recommend you stock the Cherokee Village lakes with both of these

species if possible.

Specialized Outdoor Services can calculate the quantity and cost for these species

and get them stocked into the lakes for you, if this becomes a part of the

management program.

E: Game Fish Stocking: Stocking game fish such as Largemouth Bass or Crappie is

a good strategy for improving a fishery and is certainly something that would be

helpful to the Village lakes. Typically, the decision to stock fish is based on electro

fishing surveys. However, in our case, I would have no problem recommending

stocking at the lower rates in these lakes, prior to having any electro fishing

survey results. (Example 50, 4” Bass fingerlings/Surface Acre) This will give the

current population a boost and improve future recruitment percentages.

In the current situation on these lakes, I would advise using any budget available

to stock forage, install habitat and apply the proper nutrients to the lakes prior to

spending too much time and money stocking game fish. Without a substantial

food base, proper habitat for spawning and fry protection along with deep water

survival cover, stocking efforts are generally very short lived, with limited success.

We can provide quotes from multiple fish producers for stocking Largemouth

Bass, Crappie, Catfish and others if you decide to stock the lakes in the future.

These prices can vary seasonally by availability.

F: Regulations: All state regulations are set by the Arkansas Game and Fish

Commission. The Cherokee Village S.I.D. can set additional management

regulations that are more strict if necessary for you to meet certain management

goals or regulate certain vessels to certain lakes. (Examples: Kayaks only or Catch

and Release, Lower limits or Slot limits on particular species in certain lakes)

This is just something to consider for future management of these lakes.

Suggested Lake Management Plan:

Dams: Inspect dams every 3-4 months. Implement a long-term vegetation

management program. Repair any current leaks and/or other issues as soon as

possible.

Launch Ramps: Repair and renovate as needed during potential draw down

periods.

Sediment: Monitor sediment depth every 1-2 years and map accordingly.

Implement a long-term lake draw down schedule and dredging operation plan.

Erosion Control: Create and/or enforce a mandatory erosion control policy

around the lake shoreline during any construction projects or other projects

subject to soil disruption.

Water Quality: Take samples on at least 2 lakes per year and test for PH,

Alkalinity, Hardness, Carbonates, Bicarbonates, Soluble Nutrients and

Cyanobacteria during the summer months when water temperatures are above

75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Aquatic Vegetation and Algae Control: Continue on an annual selective

herbicide and algaecide application program using a qualified, licensed

professional.

Consider having Bow fishing tournaments on an as needed basis to control

invasive Rough fish such as Grass Carp.

Fisheries Management:

Schedule an Electro Fishing Survey when possible to begin to understand the

current population of the species within the lakes. Build a data base of the fish,

including health, sex, age classes, growth rates, etc. of the population and

continue to monitor over the years.

Implement a lake fertilization program based on each lakes needs and goals.

Install fish habitat in strategic locations and depth intervals to increase and

improve production and mortality as well as fishing opportunities.

Stock forage species such as Threadfin Shad and Bluegill to provide food for

game fish.

Stock game fish like Largemouth Bass and Crappie to boost the current

population and increase recruitment in the future as well as improve catch rates

for anglers.

Consider any regulations needed to help obtain the management goals.

Since everything we would implement will be on a cost per acre basis and could

add up to a great deal of money, it may not be feasible to consider a blanket

program across all the lakes at once.

One suggestion would be to select 1 to 3 lakes and begin an aggressive fisheries

management program. A good start might be Sequoyah at 75 acres in size. This

is a big enough lake to make a real impact. And any progress made would allow

the fish population to potentionally migrate into Lake Thunderbird, thus getting

a little more value for the effort.

Another option may be Lake Chanute at 55 acres in size or even choosing a

couple of the smaller lakes like Aztec at 21 acres and Navaho at 37 acres and

budget for an aggressive program.

My Recommendation to improve fishing opportunities would be to fertilize the

lakes as needed on an individual basis.

Install an effective amount of artificial habitat along with any easily available,

but limited natural habitat.

Stock forage fish at a high-end rate and stock the desired game fish at a low end

rate.

Then continue implementing the fertilization program, water testing and

periodic electro shock monitoring over several years to evaluate the success

prior to implementing the program on a wider scale.

Fishing Piers might be considered in the future to promote access for children or

handicapped anglers.

Please understand that all of the information and recommendations within this

report be considered a starting point in the long process of managing your lakes.

It is designed to get the management program started and heading in the right

direction as soon as possible. It is not a complete guide. This will need to be a

long-term commitment with adequate resources, such as an annual operating

budget. You will also need the proper equipment, knowledge and a staff or

contractor to implement the plan.

Specialized Outdoor Services can help with most of the services you may need,

including consulting.

Jeff Klein, Specialized Outdoor Services