Lake Conway drawdown to begin in July

ONWAY – One of Arkansas' most popular fishing spots will be drawn down beginning this summer. Lake Conway will be drawn down about four feet beginning on July 15.

The lake will be drawn down from its normal pool elevation to around 259 feet mean sea level.  The draw down will be in effect until Dec. 1, according to AGFC lake manager Dustin Opine. "At that time the gates will be closed and the lake allowed to refill. Refilling of the lake will be totally dependent on rainfall," he explained. "This draw down is intended to allow lakefront landowners an opportunity to make repairs on their piers and boathouses," he added.

Many of the structures on the lake are in advanced states of disrepair, Opine said. "The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission is in the process of notifying owners of repairs to be made or structures to be removed from the lake while the draw down is in effect. The AGFC is also notifying landowners of structures encroaching on the 20-foot easement around the lake owned by the Commission," he said.

Lowering of the lake will be an excellent opportunity for landowners to create fish attracting structures, such as brush piles, around their fishing piers and shorelines, Opine stated. "It will also be permissible to deepen the areas around piers and boathouses to create deeper water for fishing or to allow boat access into boathouses again. We encourage landowners to take this opportunity to make any shoreline improvements such as armoring of eroded banks or planting trees and shrubs, especially water tolerant species," he said.

Although the drawdown will allow work on boathouses and piers, no changes in the configuration of the shoreline will be allowed. The AGFC also has hopes that the draw down during the summer months will have an adverse effect on the nuisance vegetation in the lake.

For specific questions or concerns about the draw down or advice on shoreline, improvements please direct your inquiries to the AGFC Mayflower Fisheries Office by calling 501-470-3309 ext. 212 or email to dropine@agfc.state.ar.us.