DES MOINES - The Iowa Department of Natural Resources plans to renovate Hendrickson Marsh, near Rhodes in southwest Marshall County, to make the marsh more attractive and productive to migrating waterfowl. The marsh is scheduled to begin draining in December.

The DNR will host a public meeting to discuss the plans at 7 p.m., June 28, in the Snow Bunting Lodge at Hickory Grove Park, west of Colo. The lodge is on the south side of the lake.

Hendrickson Marsh is an important area for migrating waterfowl. The habitat in the marsh has declined over the last 10 years due to introduced fish species such as: fathead minnows, carp, suckers and bullheads. These fish species feed on aquatic invertebrates while others uproot aquatic vegetation and stir lake sediments with the combined effects resulting in greatly reduced food resources for migrating waterfowl. The DNR intends to drain the marsh and kill out the rough fish.

Restoring Hendrickson Marsh to a more productive migrating waterfowl area is a joint effort between Ducks Unlimited and the Iowa DNR called the Iowa Living Lakes Initiative. The initiative has a goal of establishing a corridor of perpetually protected and productive wetland complexes from Keokuk Pool in southeastern Iowa to northern Iowa. These complexes will provide waterfowl and other migratory birds with the necessary food and habitat for migration and provide adequate nesting and brood rearing cover in targeted areas across this region.

For more information, contact Rick Trine, wildlife biologist with the DNR, at 641-752-5521.