I came across another great article from the folks at Ozarks Water Watch in their most recent newsletter…

NW Arkansas Land Trust: The Beginning and the Vision

by Guest Contributor, Nicole Hardiman, NW Arkansas Land Trust Executive Director

In 2003, the Northwest Arkansas Land Trust (NWALT) was established by a group of local community leaders who were interested in addressing conservation needs within the Northwest Arkansas region.  The idea among the group was to apply the “land trust” concept locally, which previously has been a highly successful conservation tool across the nation. Because Northwest Arkansas experienced intense urban development over the past 20 years, the founding Board of Directors identified a need to preserve the region’s quality of life, existing green space, and natural resources.

Fast forward to 2011 and NWALT is established and gaining momentum, even during what has been tough economic times for conservation-focused non-profits. As of 2010, the all-volunteer Board acquired conservation easements on 93.5 acres within the Beaver Lake watershed, a few acres of which were part of a stream bank restoration project in partnership with Beaver Water District and the Watershed Conservation Resource Center.

Beaver Lake (one of NWALT’s target watersheds)

In the Illinois River watershed, the 120-acre Wilson Springs Conservation Area was recently donated to NWALT, making the organization part of the planning team for the on-going wetland prairie restoration project.  This project was spearheaded by Audubon Arkansas through funding provided by Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

Most recently, NWALT appointed its first-ever Executive Director, Dr. Nicole Hardiman. Nicole previously worked to establish the newly formed Beaver Watershed Alliance, a watershed protection organization focused on maintaining water quality in the Beaver Lake/Upper White River watershed. Nicole received her Ph.D. in Biology at the University of Cincinnati and has worked in water resource and quality issues over the last three years. Nicole is a Northwest Arkansas native, a fourth-generation University of Arkansas graduate, and spent many, many weekends swimming in Beaver Lake as a child.

Land conservation, in the form of conservation easements, land donations, and bargain sales, has been shown in recent studies to be a cost-effective and necessary tool for natural resource protection.  The Beaver Lake Watershed Protection Strategy (WPS) and the Illinois River Watershed Partnership’s draft management plan currently recommend forest and pasture conservation paired with streamside management zones as methods to protect against streambank erosion and to provide pollutant and/or nutrient filtration opportunities.  NWALT hopes to work within the Northwest Arkansas community to advance awareness of the relationship among water quality, economic development, and land conservation, as well as educating landowners on available conservation options.

West Fork Streambank Restoration

(photo courtesy of Watershed Conservation Resource Center)

By allowing land owners to take advantage of tax incentives for conservation easements and donations while still maintaining the desired use for their land, NWALT’s ultimate goal is to maintain Northwest Arkansas’s beauty, natural resources, rural culture, and quality of life. The NWALT Board recognizes the difficult decisions landowners face in regard to their land and the future use of their land and strives to maintain relationships with landowners that are built on integrity, honesty, and transparency.

A “deer pasture” on one of NWALT’s conservation easements in Rogers, AR

In the coming year, NWALT plans to develop the organization through diverse fund-raising and community outreach strategies, which are the first, necessary building blocks for any successful land trust. With support from the NWA community, NWALT will work towards effective implementation of Northwest Arkansas’s regional natural resource protection strategies.

Although you may not be able to attend, I thought I’d share with you the announcement of the upcoming AGFC meeting later this month.  AGFC has, over the years, implemented what they refer to as their Trout Management Plans for each of the different tailwaters they manage.  Each gets revisited every few years.  The studies that happen in between determine what action(s), if any, they will take during that time. 

We will report to you any significant outcomes from this meeting, but if you are in the area, please plan to attend!

Jeff Williams (our AGFC Trout Biologist) email below…

<begin Jeff’s email>

All,

We are planning to hold an informational meeting for Bull Shoals and Norfork Tailwaters on February 6^th from 6 -7:30 pm in the McMullin Lecture Hall on the campus of ASU-Mountain Home.  This meeting will provide us (AGFC) to update the public on current monitoring efforts (population samples, creel survey, etc.) of some of the management strategies implemented in 2007-2008 when we developed the management plan.  We will also discuss plans for upcoming projects.  The first half of the meeting will be a presentation of our monitoring data and the second half will be an opportunity for attendees to ask questions.

I think this will be a very informative meeting and I encourage everyone to attend.  We will be advertising this through the normal media outlets, but feel free to pass this e-mail on to anyone that may be interested in attending.  Thank you.

Jeff

Jeff Williams

Trout Program Coordinator

E: j_williams@agfc.state.ar.us

<end Jeff’s email>

Just got off the phone with Leon Alexander, spokesman for the Norfork National Fish Hatchery, and he had an update about the progress of the installations of the Diffuser units.

(To read more about the Diffusers and what they do, please read our previous post…)

Norfork National Fish Hatchery Diffuser Unit

As of December, there are 16 Diffusers that are completed and ready to install.

The holdup for final installation was a shortage of 6″ PVC pipe and 6″ PVC elbows.

Finally, the parts have arrived and the first 16 diffusers are scheduled to be installed after the first of the year.

8 more diffusers (for a total of 24) are still scheduled to be built and installed sometime after the first of the year.  The materials for these last diffusers have already been ordered.

Installation of these diffusers will help ensure our trout grow fast and are as healthy as they can be so they can be put in the river for YOU!

If you haven’t stopped by and checked out the hatchery, make it a point to do so on your next visit to the White River!  The hatchery is only 20 minutes from His Place Resort, and you can get a fun & educational tour, and see where our trout come from!

We got some great news about the Norfork National Fish Hatchery.  I don’t know if you remember, but we did a story earlier this year, and put up a webpage about the proposed budget cuts for 2012 that threatened to cut all funding for the Norfork National Fish Hatchery.

(If you’d like to read all of that information, you can visit our main website at http://www.hisplaceresort.net/TroutHatcheries.htm. )

Anyway, Leon Alexander, spokesperson for the local Friends of the Norfork Fish Hatchery, reports that we did indeed get funding in the 2012 budget.  The budget includes a total of $7.2 million for the nine mitigation hatcheries which were de-funded by the US Fish & Wildlife Service in their original budget request.

According to Leon, information submitted by Congressman Rick Crawford’s office says the funding is $3.8 million from  the Corps of Engineers, who will in turn reimburse the Fish & Wildlife Service, with the remainder coming from the Fish & Wildlife Service in the amount of $3.388 million.

(Some interesting things to note:  The Fish & Wildlife Service, who had permanently de-funded all hatchery mitigation, was basically forced by Congress to put that money back into the budget…  The original amount requested was $6.9 million, so the remainder of the $7.2 million will go back into the “deferred maintenance fund”, which was depleted covering operational expenses to date.  Some other funding has still not been reinstated; the TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority) for example, has not recommitted to mitigation funding.  Since they are not a governmental agency, they cannot be forced to start paying again…  they saw the opportunity when USFW Service de-funded mitigation money to follow suit…  and they did…  it will be one of the ongoing fights for the future.  To read the FY 2012 Final consolidated Appropriations Bill, click here. )

Leon says this is really good news for the hatchery employees and all those who depend on the Trout Hatcheries as a source of income, and for Baxter County and the local economy in particular, which relies heavily on trout fishing as a primary source of sales tax income.

Leon goes on to say that this took tremendous effort on the part of the Arkansas Congressional Staffs to accomplish this change in funding given current efforts to reduce all federal budgets.  He says Congressman Crawford and Senators Mark Pryor & John Boozman were tireless in their efforts to secure this funding for the Norfork and Greers Ferry National Fish Hatcheries.

We still have to remember that even though the funding has been approved for this year… We still have the same problem that we had before.  There is still not a permanent provision for future funding.  Until such funding is permanently earmarked, we’re going to come up against this threat every year.

However, we do need to enjoy this victory today!  Thanks to everyone who helped to make this happen, and regardless of where you live, take a minute to thank Congressman Crawford, Senator Mark Pryor, and Senator John Boozman for helping us out…  here is their contact information:

US Senator (from Arkansas) John Boozman (contact)
US Senator (from Arkansas) Mark Pryor (contact)
US Representative (from Arkansas) District 1 – Rick Crawford (contact)

Do you want to help more?  Join the Friends of the Norfork Hatchery!

We all need FRIENDS!

In closing, we want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

see you on the river…

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!  We are still eating leftovers…

We always try to keep you updated on things that we think will be interesting to you, so this week I want to talk to you a little bit about what’s going on at the Norfork National Fish Hatchery.

If you remember, last year we dodged a bullet when the threat of Federal budget cuts threatened the operation of the hatchery itself… We appreciate those of you who took the time to write, call, and basically help us raise holy H**l, in addition to offering to come out and help work the hatchery yourselves…

Anyway, this posting is good news!  I’m taking a snip from the November issue of the hatchery newsletter to share with you about the diffuser installation currently underway.  Enjoy!

Friends of the Norfork National Fish Hatchery – The Raceway – November, 2011

Diffuser Installation in Progress

Norfork National Fish Hatchery Diffuser Unit

Great News!  Given the generosity of our benefactors, construction of 16 diffusers to be placed on Raceway Banks A & B is in full swing.  Our goal is to provide a total of 24 diffusers for banks A, B, C & D.

There has been $7183.70 spent out of the diffuser funds during the past month.  Starting out prior to the purchase of materials, there was $9685 in the account.  Funding analysis of recent and anticipated donations indicates that, with just a little more support, our initial goal for 24 diffusers will be achieved.  The total expense for the 24 diffusers will be pretty close to $21,000.

The hatchery has provided funding for 24 professional six-inch quick release unions at $71 per unit.  A complete list of benefactors will be announced as soon as we achieve our goal for 24 diffusers.  The Norfork National Fish hatchery is very thankful to all those individuals, groups and clubs that have made this important project possible.  Additional material will be ordered during the week of November 14.  During the next stage of construction, an additional jig will be built in order to increase production.  Due to the standard daily demand for specific hatchery duties, the staff is not always available for consistent production.  One or two more volunteers would be most appreciated

Construction of each diffuser is very labor-intensive and time-consuming.  Hatchery staff members, Doug Anderson, Doug Beard and Dale Plumlee, along with FNNFH VP, Joe Salisbury, began work on November 3.  An internal baffle assembly jig was refined and 100 24-inch perforated baffles were cut out from ten 4 x 10′ sheets.  A complete internal baffle component requires about two hours for one person to assemble.  Each completed internal baffle consists of eight baffle discs, four 6-foot rods, 72 nuts, 72 washers, 64 Teflon washers and 72 lock washers.  Four support legs and two cross beams are cut from 16 foot long angle iron.  Outside shells, 5 foot long, are cut from 20 foot, 24 inch tubing.  Six-inch piping is utilized to attach the completed diffuser to the water source.  Each diffuser is designed to manage and treat over 400 gallons of water per minute.

The diffuser’s primary purpose is to dissipate supersaturated nitrogen levels, increase dissolved oxygen, separate and remove sulfide and manganese through the entire year, creating the healthiest environment possible in order for the trout to mature to their healthiest level.

<end of article>

Hope you enjoyed the article…  see you on the White River soon!

As predicted, the lake levels at Bull Shoals have now returned to target level and below.  This has meant significantly lower flows.  Many of you have asked if this has meant “dead-low” water; to answer your question, No, it has not been dead-low, but it has been fairly “wadeable” in the mornings.  Norfork has been off quite a bit, too.

Here’s a look at what it’s been doing for the last several days…

<photo not available>

As you can see, they’ve been running some, but not nearly the amounts they’ve been running through the summer.

As far as what to use?

For our fly fishers, quite a few things have been been working.  Folks are having the best luck with woolly buggers, and red San Juan worms.  Especially in the morning, when the levels have been a little lower, bead head midges have been working as well.

For our spin fishers, even with the lower water, things have not changed too terribly much.  The same white/hot pink mice tails have still been the most productive thing going.  Several of our guests have also reported good luck with the larger nightcrawlers, too.

For those who like lures, pretty much any kind of gold or copper Colorado/Buoyant spoon, or Blue Fox has been producing really well.

The weather has been cool in the morning, and warming up nicely in the afternoon.  It’s a great time to come fishing on the White River, and I hope we see you soon!

I got an e-mail from Jeff Williams, who is our Chief Trout Biologist for AGFC.  From time to time, AGFC requests help from the public for certain projects related to trout management.

If you’re going to be in the area from October 11-13, this marking project is a great way to get involved and learn more about the awesome trout that get put into this River…

If you want to participate, contact Jeff directly at j_williams@agfc.state.ar.us.

Here is Jeff’s e-mail below to tell you a little more…

Hello, everyone:

We will be marking the 2011 cohort of brown trout at the Norfork National Fish Hatchery October 11-13.  These fish will be distributed among the Spring River and the Beaver and Norfork Tailwaters.  If you are willing and able to assist, we could sure use the help.  We will get started on Tuesday, October 11th.  All you will need to bring is rain gear and a lunch.  We will have plenty of water and Gatorade on hand.

Please let me know if you plan on helping so I can schedule.  Also, if you know of anyone else that might be interested feel free pass this e-mail along to them.  Thanks.

Jeff Williams, AGFC

The event will take place at:

Norfork National Fish Hatchery
1414 Highway 177 South
Mountain Home, AR 72653-9799
Phone: 870-499-5255
Fax: 870-499-7755

I’m going to make a prediction about the water levels here on the White River…

I typically don’t like to make predictions more than a few days out, but this seems like pretty much as easy a prediction as I’ll ever have the opportunity to make…  so, here goes!

Lake’s about 662 ft above sea level today…  Target is 654.  The lake’s been dropping about 8 inches or more per day.  Lakes above have hit pool.

I’m thinking 2 weeks or less to hit target.

So, when the target is reached; we’ll be in pretty mild weather…  Probably not a huge demand for power.  And once target level is reached, SWPA takes over…  and they don’t run water “jus’ cuz”; they run it to make money…  so they’ll sit on it…

So, sometime around 9/20 to 9/25, I expect to see drastically reduced flows…

Therefore; if you’re a higher water fan like me and you’re planning a visit, come now!  If you’ve been waiting for some lower water, I think your wait is about up!

Either way, I’ll be here waitin’… 

Your White River Trout Diva

Corey Meier - kisses Brown Trout Goodbye!

Hey, everyone!

Greetings from the White River.  Things are back to normal and I just wanted to share a few pictures of some of the great fish some of the kids are catching!  (OK, OK, I might be giving away my age a little bit…  some of these kids are actually in their early twenties… but they’re still KIDS to me!  Oh, yeah…  one gent is maybe a bit older than that, but he IS a Kid at Heart!)

It is definitely a hot summer, but it’s always cool on the water in the White River!  For over a week, the water has been dead-low in the morning, and comes up around 12:00 or 1:00 pm, usually up to 8.  People are wading in the morning, and boating in the afternoon, and the fishing is good either way!

Obviously, the planets are in alignment, and peace will reign throughout the universe!  (Well, at least in the Ozarks, anyway…  )

Come Join Us!

 

Purchase Image

Swift water passes through the basement of a home along the White River on Tuesday. / JOSH DOOLEY/THE BAXTER BULLETIN

 

Purchase Image Zoom

Fishing guide Donald Cranor prepares to unhook a brown trout after catching it just 28 seconds from the time he cast his bait into the White River on Tuesday. Anglers fishing below Bull Shoals Dam on the White River Tuesday reported good fishing. / JOSH DOOLEY/THE BAXTER BULLETIN

Anglers on the mighty White River backed up reports Tuesday of a fast, hard bite that came with a record flow from Bull Shoals Dam that made riverbed of land along the river that hadn’t been inundated since the dam began service in 1957.

Bull Shoals Lake crested Friday at 695.5 feet above mean sea level — 105 percent of capacity — and appeared Tuesday morning to be on course to fall to 693 feet by Friday, according to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers spokesman P.J. Spaul.

In the absence of substantial new rainfall in the White River Basin, Corps hydrologists likely will order the dam to trim floodgate releases again possibly today, Spaul said.

The Corps is required to hold back floodwaters probably for months, or as long as a river gauge on the White River at Newport remains above 12 feet, Spaul said. Thursday morning the river at Newport was measured at 28.3 feet.

Seventeen floodgates stood open 2.2 feet high for most of the day Tuesday, releasing water at a rate of 37,800 cubic feet per second. That release combined with flows through five generators raised the total release to 42,000 cfs.

Good fishing

A tour of the river Tuesday afternoon found moderate damage to the biggest commercial docks on the river at Gaston’s and Stetson’s resorts. Ends of the docks that bore the brunt of the current crumpled, but neither dock had lost more than two boat slips.

Guides on the river Tuesday reported excellent fishing in eddies inside and downstream from any bend or breakwater in the river. Guide Donald Cranor said the water following over new ground apparently yielded lots of food that brought large numbers of fish to school downstream from the breakwaters.

A tour of the river with Cranor Tuesday afternoon found several guides using all tackle types, catching fish at a brisk pace. Guide Pete Cobb fishing with friends Moose and Tina Watson were observed pulling in trout in singles and doubles to the boat piloted by Cobb.

Fly guide Ron Yarborough reported catching and releasing 11 quality brown trout during an outing ending at 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Cranor demonstrated the quick, hard bite twice for a Bulletin camera Tuesday — the first cast hooking a 15-inch rainbow trout in less than 90 seconds; the second cast took a 17-inch brown trout in 28 seconds.

Earlier in the day Tuesday, Cranor guided Larry and Sherry Richards of St. Louis. The pair caught and released one 4.5-pound brown trout, a 3-pounder and several other fish in the 2- to- 2.5-pound weight range.

“I was surprised,” said Larry Richards. “We couldn’t rent a boat. I’d been fishing with Cranor a few years ago. I called him and he said, ‘If you don’t come right now you’re really missing out.’ ”

“He wasn’t kidding.

“We have never, ever caught them like that before,” Richards said.

Lake fishing

On the lake side of Bull Shoals and Norfork dams, veteran guide Darrell Binks said he and his guiding peers are finding the striper and hybrid striper bass bite on white spoons at a depth around 35 feet.

Bass and bluegill fishing is excellent in the brushy shorelines around the lake for the anglers who will go in after them. Binks said brush anglers are looking for any still water with a scum on it.

“About the only fishing the high water hurt is the crappie,” Binks said. “Those fish are as far back in the brush as they can get.”

“I saw a guy and wife (Tuesday) morning with a stringer of bluegill. Some of them were 10 inches,” he said.

Binks said he has some vacancies in his guide booking calendar, as do most lake guides, because of the rain that seemed never would end. During the past three days of relative calm on the lakes, though, Binks says he has not failed to take limits of striper and hybrid striper. The fish range from 8 pounds to 16 pounds, but most in the 8- to 10-pound range.

“The lakes have settled down just like they did in 2008,” Binks said. “There will be a lot of fish caught this season.”

Disaster averted

Spaul said communities along the river downstream from Bull Shoals Dam were spared an incomprehensible disaster by the presence of three Corps dams in the river’s main channel and Norfork Dam on the North Fork of the White River.

“It will be a few days before we know all of our peak inflows during this event, but we believe now that Bull Shoals Lake at peak inflow received runoff from the rain at about 400,000 cubic feet per second and Table Rock received a peak flow of about 300,000 cubic feet per second,” Spaul said. “The dams performed well.”

Spaul said the known inflow of 700,000 cfs stopped by the dams would clearly have created a disaster downstream on top of a continuing current disaster from wild flows from tributaries to the White and Black rivers.

http://www.baxterbulletin.com/article/20110601/NEWS01/106010324/Twin-Lakes-Area-waters-stabilize-after-flood-anglers-report-good-fishing?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE

Written by

FRANK WALLIS,  Baxter Bulletin, www.BaxterBulletin.com