Drawdown Underway At Nimrod Lake

PLAINVIEW, Ark. -- The Army Corps of Engineers wants to remind visitors that a drawdown is underway this summer on Nimrod Lake. 

The lake is at elevation 337 and will be held at this elevation until Oct. 1, when it will return to its normal level.  The lake is about five feet lower than its typical July level.

Boat access is limited to a temporary ramp at the Anderson Branch area adjacent to Carter Cove Park, and a temporary ramp at Carden Point Park.  Also, all water activities such as skiing, tubing, and personal watercrafts are prohibited.  Boaters should use extreme caution while navigating because of stumps and shallow flats.   

The drawdown is a cooperative effort with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. The shoreline and shallow flats are being seeded in Japanese Millet which will provide cover for fish and food for waterfowl when the lake level returns to normal.  Additionally, Nimrod staff will be repairing channel markers, boat ramps, and swim beaches. 

Stretches of lakebed will be exposed, and Corps rangers are actively patrolling the lake for signs of disturbance of protected and archeological and cultural resources.   Removing artifacts from public lands is a serious offense covered by the Archeological Protection Act of 1979 and Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations.  Also, unauthorized operation of motorized vehicles around the shoreline and on the lakebed is strictly prohibited.     

This fall, volunteers will be given the opportunity to register to assist with the construction of fish shelters. 

For more information contact Terry Gentry at 501-324-6957.

Recreation information can be found on the Internet at www.swl.usace.army.mil, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/littlerockusace, and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/#!/usacelittlerock.