Aquatic Habitat Restoration in Little Bear Creek Lake Joe Jernigan Aquatic Plant Manager Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries

Mission Statement The mission of the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division is to manage, protect, conserve, and enhance the wildlife and aquatic resources of Alabama for the sustainable benefit of the people of Alabama.

We Work to Protect The Resource

We Work to Improve the Quality of Hunting and Fishing in the State

Areas that look like this we change to this

Good habitat

Little Bear Creek Reservoir

Little Bear Project B.A.S.S. Little Bear Millennium Group Bear Creek Development Authority Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries

What’s Missing? Several limitations have likely prevented natural establishment of submersed native aquatic plants in LBCL: absence of a source of aquatic plant propagules water-level fluctuation Herbivory

Approach Monitor emergent vegetation with the water willow beds present already Plant native submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) and evaluate the success

Water willow

hydroseeding

Approved SAV Valisineria (2 forms), V. americana Water stargrass, Heteranthera dubia Elodea, E. canadensis Sago pondweed, Potamogeton pectinatus American pondweed, P. nodosus Giant pondweed, P. foliosus

Native SAV 06 Southern Valisineria American Pondweed Water stargrass Elodea

Grow out facility

cages

July 06

Sept 06

Will it survive the drawdown?

Year 2 Get graduate student on board Evaluate success of different plant species in the cages. Replant sites with species that showed the best potential to establish Plant additional TVA approved species that we were not able to acquire this year Actually hydro seed areas

BENEFITS? Hopefully improved fish habitat which will result in better fishing and better water quality Even if the plantings fail ALWFF has entered a relationship with angler groups that helps to foster good communication By getting anglers educated and involved there is less likelihood of them taking matters in there own hands and planting invasives like hydrilla

Questions?????? (251) (251) cell