Work leaves waterfowl area dry

— The Harris Brake Wildlife Management Area will not be filled for the beginning of duck season as a result of emergency repairs on the Harris Brake Lake water control structure. Because of continued deterioration of the gate and the discharge pipe that drains into the waterfowl area, repairs need to be made this winter.

The structures have been in place for almost 60 years. The gate and all hardware that holds the water will be replaced. The 48-inch discharge pipe that drains the lake into the waterfowl area will be sleeved with a pipe of slightly smaller diameter. The lake will not be lowered during the construction project.

A temporary coffer dam that is now in place in front of the gate will be improved to prevent leakage into the construction area. Upon completion of the repair project, the coffer dam will be breached to allow for the flow of water. The project should be complete by mid-December.

Flooding of the waterfowl area will begin as soon as possible after the repairs are completed. Members of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission hope the waterfowl area will be full for the final split of the duck season.

For those waterfowl hunters who are displaced by the repairs, two new areas on Lake Conway were zoned for waterfowl hunting beginning this year. The Caney Creek and Palarm Creek areas, both on the north end of the lake, provide good habitat and hunting for ducks.

The commission has a developed boating access in each of these areas. The zones can be found marked on maps on the commission’s website at www.agfc.com.

For more information, call the Game and Fish Mayflower Field Office at (501) 470-3309.

River Valley Ozark, Pages 214 on 10/30/2011

Upcoming Events