Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge proceeds with drawdown; Urges users to be vigilant

FELSENTHAL NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE — Efforts are underway to manipulate water levels within the Felsenthal pool to 64 feet mean sea level, dropping it one foot lower than the normal level of 65 MSL, according to a news release from Amanda Wilkinson, public use specialist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, South Arkansas Refuge Complex. She said the drawdown began on July 14.

Management practices by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, such as the use of drawdowns in wetland habitats, promote the germination of native plants and provides great benefits to migrating and resident shorebirds and waterfowl.

The drawdown, conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, is expected to expose up to 4,000 acres of mudflats and scrub/shrub habitat within the Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge boundary, creating variably shallow conditions in some frequented areas.

Users should use caution when traversing the waterways and stay vigilant as water levels may fluctuate, according to the news release.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has reserved all rights on flood control and navigation for Felsenthal Pool as part of the Ouachita River water is always moving through the system.

“The refuge has only seen one recorded drawdown in its history, back in 1995,” said Michael Stroeh, South Arkansas Refuge Complex manager. “While it was successful in plant growth and waterfowl numbers the following November, it’s been 22 years since we’ve seen water this low and everyone should be mindful of that.”

Refuge users can expect varied water levels and are encouraged to check river gauge readings for timely updates on-line at http://rivergages.mvr.usace.army.mil/WaterControl/new/layout.cfm.

In October 2015, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released a draft proposal emphasizing Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge management practices for the next 15 years including the artificial flooding of the green tree reservoir located within the refuge.

Deliberation of the finalized plan lasted nearly eight months and included an extended 67-day public comment period. Based on the feedback received during the review

period and an analysis of the draft, the service selected a combination of Alternative B and C, which is the preferred alternative in the final HMP (Hydromodification Management Plan). The plan states that every three years, the pool will be lowered until 64’ MSL level is reached.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is

the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American public.

In addition to maintaining the 94-million acre National Wildlife Refuge System, U.S. Fish and Wildlife operates 70 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces federal wildlife

laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid Program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.