Clear-Smithport Lake Drawdown to Control Salvinia

Another Northwest Louisiana lake has fallen victim to the seemingly unstoppable, invasive aquatic weed, Giant Salvinia.

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It was just announced by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries that Clear-Smithport Lake in DeSoto Parish would begin another scheduled drawdown this coming Monday, September 15, 2025.

As LDWF highlights, the lake should dewater at a rate of two to four inches per day, and will be lowered to a maximum drawdown level of approximately four feet below normal pool stage.

Of course, the lake won't be a complete loss to enthusiasts as an estimated 600-700 acres of water will remain in open areas of each lake. Boaters may still access the main waterbody from the 509 Bridge DeSoto Parish Ramp with small craft.

So, beginning next Monday, September 15, we can add Clear-Smithport Lake to the growing list of lakes we've essentially lost due drawdowns in the battle with salvinia. That list includes Black & Clear Lake and Lake Bistineau.

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Other local lakes, including Caddo, Wallace and Black Bayou Hosston, don't have the ability to be manually drawn down so they're just having to take the brunt of the salvinia growth on the chin.

While no surprise to local anglers who battle through months of lowered levels on area lakes during annual drawdowns, many are wondering about the overall fruits of these battles.

Will we continue to lose the lion-share of our lakes every year to this devilish Giant Salvinia? Is there no other option to possibly consider? What we continue to do would appear to only present a stalemate to the issue, but what we would really like to see is a plan for total eradication.

Maybe I'm being somewhat unrealistic, but what was it that Albert Einstein is credited with saying; "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."

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