Clearing Stumps From Lake Conroe
At the end of last year (12/13/11), local Fishing Organizations, The Lake Conroe Association, San Jacinto River Authority, Texas Parks and Wildlife, US Forestry Service, E-Z Boat Storage and the Palms Marina began working together in an effort to eliminate stump hazards located in the main parts of the lake (not creeks, tributaries, or dry lake beds). The approved area extended from the dam on the south to the southern point of Cape Malibu, being about 3 miles north of the FM 1097 bridge. The Lake Conroe Association, in conjunction with E-Z Boat Storage and Palms Marina began organizing and privately funding the stump removal part of the project at the beginning of the year. A GPS reading of the stump locations were taken in December while the lake was at it lowest level.
By the time the cutting began on 1/16/12, the lake had already risen 9″ to a 193.81 ft pool level. Local teams worked with the cutting contractors to locate
and mark stumps for the contractors to cut. One member mentioned several times his worry that even a slight rise in water level might make some of the stumps unfindable. He praised the GPS program for directing the boats right over their targets. Fortunately, the weather held and the job was completed before anymore rains came. Four days later the lake rose to 194.2 ft , a level that would have made this project impossible to complete.
Encouraging for fishermen, about 95% of the cut-offs sank to the bottom in deep water, creating even better horizontal structure for fish habitat. Since these stumps are generally in the river and stream beds that fed the river, locating good fishing spots should prove easier than before.
FACTS ABOUT THIS PROJECT
- Stumps were cut a minimum of 8 feet below the lake level.
- Approximately 400 stumps were cleared.
Related Articles:
SJRA Weekly Lake Conroe Report: http://www.slideshare.net/sanjacriver/the-lake-report-012412
Lake Conroe Advisory Meeting: http://www.lakeconroe.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/LC-Advisory-Mtg-12.13.11.pdf
Dock Line Magazine: http://sjra.net/lakeconroe/stump-removal/TPW%20Stump%20removal%20article.pdf
SJRA Report: http://sjra.net/lakeconroe/stump-removal/index.html