Post by Woody Williams on Aug 3, 2009 15:06:52 GMT -5
Water control construction to limit waterfowl hunting at Kankakee FWA
Work on a new water control structure at Kankakee Fish and Wildlife Area, scheduled to start this week, will eliminate early waterfowl hunting at the FWA during 2009, and may close 10-Mile Road to the public for as long as four months.
The time needed to complete the work could vary because of weather and river stages.
During the past 15 years, a heavy sand load has been entering the marsh through the primary inlet structure along the Yellow River, damaging the marsh. In many spots where herbaceous wetland plant communities once thrived, cottonwood and silver maple trees now stand. The old river oxbows are filling in and buttonbush is establishing itself. More than 3 feet of sediments has been seen in many areas of the marsh.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has engineered a new water control structure to replace the existing structure, which has been inoperable for the last three years. The new structure will once again allow for water manipulation to occur and should reduce the amount of sediment entering the marsh. By improving management of the water and sediment, the structure should allow the marsh to continue to be a migration stopping point for thousands of waterfowl and other birds.
While the control structure is being repaired, infrastructure damaged in the recent floods will be repaired. This work includes repairing levees and the sheet piling across from the Kankakee River spillway. The sheet piling currently leans into the river and no longer adequately protects the levee.
Once these projects are complete, and if water levels in the Yellow River are adequate, the marsh will begin filling. Once it is determined when there will be enough water in the marsh to attract waterfowl, an announcement will be made through Wild Bulletin as to when waterfowl hunting opportunities will be available in the Kankakee FWA marsh. Ideally, some hunting will be available late in the season.
Waterfowl hunting will be available in the “Corn Units” as soon as crops have been harvested and the area has adequate water. This will most likely occur some time in mid - November. Watch for a Wild Bulletin announcement.
Waterfowl hunting reservations will not be available on Kankakee Fish and Wildlife Area for the 2009 season. When hunting is available, opportunities will be allocated through daily drawings.
-30-
Media Contact: Marty Benson, (317) 233-3853; cell (317) 696-9812
Work on a new water control structure at Kankakee Fish and Wildlife Area, scheduled to start this week, will eliminate early waterfowl hunting at the FWA during 2009, and may close 10-Mile Road to the public for as long as four months.
The time needed to complete the work could vary because of weather and river stages.
During the past 15 years, a heavy sand load has been entering the marsh through the primary inlet structure along the Yellow River, damaging the marsh. In many spots where herbaceous wetland plant communities once thrived, cottonwood and silver maple trees now stand. The old river oxbows are filling in and buttonbush is establishing itself. More than 3 feet of sediments has been seen in many areas of the marsh.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has engineered a new water control structure to replace the existing structure, which has been inoperable for the last three years. The new structure will once again allow for water manipulation to occur and should reduce the amount of sediment entering the marsh. By improving management of the water and sediment, the structure should allow the marsh to continue to be a migration stopping point for thousands of waterfowl and other birds.
While the control structure is being repaired, infrastructure damaged in the recent floods will be repaired. This work includes repairing levees and the sheet piling across from the Kankakee River spillway. The sheet piling currently leans into the river and no longer adequately protects the levee.
Once these projects are complete, and if water levels in the Yellow River are adequate, the marsh will begin filling. Once it is determined when there will be enough water in the marsh to attract waterfowl, an announcement will be made through Wild Bulletin as to when waterfowl hunting opportunities will be available in the Kankakee FWA marsh. Ideally, some hunting will be available late in the season.
Waterfowl hunting will be available in the “Corn Units” as soon as crops have been harvested and the area has adequate water. This will most likely occur some time in mid - November. Watch for a Wild Bulletin announcement.
Waterfowl hunting reservations will not be available on Kankakee Fish and Wildlife Area for the 2009 season. When hunting is available, opportunities will be allocated through daily drawings.
-30-
Media Contact: Marty Benson, (317) 233-3853; cell (317) 696-9812
gets done and no hunting! I miss Glenn.