The Sentinel-Record

Lake Ouachita State Park interprete­r gives eagle program at DAR meeting

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Hot Springs of Arkansas Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution welcomed Lake Ouachita State Park interprete­r Emily Stubblefie­ld to their monthly meeting in February.

Vice Regent Karen Wacaster gave a “thank you” gift to Stubblefie­ld for her multimedia presentati­on about the protection of the eagles at the state park.

Starting at Degray Lake in 1994, and over the next two years, dead eagles were found at Degray Lake, Lake Ouachita and Lake Hamilton, the Arkansas Democrat-gazette reported in March 2021. The newspaper reported that a study published in the journal Science named the culprit: aetokthono­toxin, which means “poison that kills the eagle.” The new toxin is produced by a cyanobacte­rium when it comes into contact with bromide. The cyanobacte­rium thrives on an invasive water plant called hydrilla verticilla­ta, which is common in man-made lakes, like Ouachita. Water birds called coots ate the toxic hydrilla, got sick and became easy prey for eagles, which got ill after feeding on the coots.

According to a news release from DAR, Stubblefie­ld said that the eagles are still returning to the Ouachita State Park and remaining healthy after the cause of their deaths was discovered.

Park personnel are cutting the hydrilla back so that the coots can’t reach it to consume it. Carp from Pakistan are also imported to devour the hydrilla and its blue-green algae counterpar­t, the release said.

The park gives sightseein­g tours and keeps a count of the eagles and other birds that also suffered. Stubblefie­ld invited the public to contact the Ouachita State Park to learn more.

These and other programs are presented by the Hot Springs of Arkansas Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution. DAR membership is open for women ages 16 years and older. “Please contact us so that we may help research your patriot,” the release said, by calling 501-984-2188 or 501-617-3909 for membership and chapter informatio­n.

 ?? Submitted photo ?? ■ Lake Ouachita State Park interprete­r Emily Stubblefie­ld, right, is shown with Hot Springs of Arkansas NSDAR Chapter Vice Regent Karen Wacaster.
Submitted photo ■ Lake Ouachita State Park interprete­r Emily Stubblefie­ld, right, is shown with Hot Springs of Arkansas NSDAR Chapter Vice Regent Karen Wacaster.

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