Managing Two Lakes with Significant Tailwater Fisheries

Mathis, William P.; ,

Managing Two Lakes with Significant Tailwater Fisheries

by William P. Mathis, Little Rock District Corps of, Engineers,

Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Optimizing the Resources for Water Management

Abstract:

Norfork and Bull Shoals Dams on the White River in Arkansas were constructed in 1944 and 1951, respectively. The authorized purposes were for flood control, hydropower generation, and other beneficial purposes. Water supply has since been added to the list of purposes. While recreation, fish, and wildlife were not specifically authorized purposes, these uses have assumed a larger role as time has gone by. As a natural consequence of cold water hydropower releases, warm water fisheries in both the White River and the North Fork River were diminished. A nationally significant put-grow-and-take trout fishery has been developed to replace those fisheries. However, the development of the trout fishery has not occurred without problems. Various schemes have been developed which, with modifications, have evolved into the present operation which is considered to be effective in maintaining the trout fishery. 'Conflicts' between the upstream and downstream fisheries and the solutions considered by the Little Rock District are the subject of this paper.

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