LDWF Schedules Drawdown of Wham Brake

by **bowonly** Sat May 25, 2013 9:21 pm

LDWF Schedules Drawdown for Wham Brake Impoundment on Russell Sage WMA

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Release Date: 05/23/2013

May 23, 2013 -- The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has scheduled a drawdown for the recently acquired Wham Brake Impoundment, a part of Russell Sage Wildlife Management Area, near Monroe, La., beginning on June 1, 2013. The impoundment is approximately 4,900 acres and will be managed for waterfowl habitat and associated recreational use.

The management focus of this impoundment will be development of waterfowl habitat and improvements to aid recreational use associated with the waterfowl resources on this portion of the WMA. The current condition of multiple water control structures must be evaluated to insure that local managers have the appropriate ability to manipulate the water levels in a manner necessary to grow the annual natural vegetation associated with attracting and maintaining wintering waterfowl populations on the impoundment.

LDWF has already identified some maintenance needs on Wham Brake which need varying degrees of redevelopment work. During the drawdown this year, survey work will be accomplished to evaluate the existing structures and potential for sub-impoundment development to improve native vegetation management ability. A gradual reflooding of the impoundment should begin prior to the special September teal season on the WMA.

Wham Brake users are cautioned to exercise extreme caution when boating in the area due to the high prevalence of submerged objects throughout the impoundment.

For more information, contact Jerald Owens, LDWF Biologist Manager at (318) 343-4044 or jowens@wlf.la.gov.