Lake Bistineau drawdown period comes to an end

The drawdown of Lake Bistineau that began in August came to an end today as DOTD crews closed the spillway gates at the south end of the lake. 

The drawdown was needed to help control the spread of giant salvinia by allowing Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries crews easy access to the invasive plant.  Fewer than 1000 acres of salvinia are currently in bloom, when the drawdown began over 2000 growing acres were in place.

Longtime Bistineau resident and member of the Bistineau Task Force, Bob Brotherton, says the fight will likely continue in the upcoming years.  "Naturally everybody would like to see us find something that can get rid of it but at this point in time that something has not come up," he says. "The people who come and enjoy the lake, most of these people have left and we're trying to get them to come back."

Contract spraying will resume on the lake Monday to help control any salvinia that blooms as the weather warms up.