Giant Salvinia Battle Forces Drawdown At Grand Bayou Reservoir

In a notice from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, it would appear that local anglers and boaters will soon experience the loss of a substantial portion of another northwest Louisiana fishery.

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Late Tuesday, August 11, LDWF announced that in cooperation with the John K. Kelly Grand Bayou Reservoir District, they have scheduled a drawdown of Grand Bayou Reservoir (Red River Parish) for fisheries habitat improvement and giant salvinia control.

Just as drawdowns have begun on Lake Bistineau and Clear-Smithport, this Grand Bayou drawdown is designed to improve fisheries habitat along the water’s edge by reducing organic build-up on the lake bed, reduce nuisance aquatic vegetation, and allow for physical repairs to structures on the lake.

For those uneducated about giant salvinia, the USDA writes that it's a fast-growing, free-floating aquatic fern native to South America.

This major invasive species, which is now present in many of the warm, southern US, freshwater habitats, is known for doubling its population in less than a week and forming thick, multi-layered mats that choke out native wildlife and block waterways.

LDWF advises that the Grand Bayou water control structure is scheduled to open on September 8, and the lake should dewater at a rate of 4-10 inches per day. The water level will be lowered to a maximum drawdown level of 4 feet below normal pool stage to a target level of 134.5 feet above mean sea level (MSL).

The Grand Bayou Reservoir control gates are scheduled for closure on January 4, 2027, to allow the lake to refill for early-spring recreational activities.

During the drawdown, an estimated 2,100 acres of water will remain in open areas of Grand Bayou Reservoir. Boaters may still access the reservoir from Grand Bayou Resort, located on the Southwest side of the Hwy 784 Bridge.

a man on a boat pulling a fishing line — Photo by Collins Illich on Unsplash

Caution is advised when on the water as numerous obstructions that are normally not seen are present. Vessels will likely have to idle several hundred yards from the Grand Bayou Resort ramp before accessing deeper water.

For additional information regarding the drawdown, contact Villis Dowden, LDWF Biologist Manager, at vdowden@wlf.la.gov or (318) 357-3214.

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Where are snakes most commonly found across the Pelican State? Here’s an updated guide to the most snake-infested lakes in Louisiana.

Gallery Credit: Michael Dot Scott