Establishment of Native Vegetation in El Dorado Lake, Kansas
Gary O. Dick
University of North Texas RR 3 Box 446, Lewisville, TX 75056;
972.436.2215; photuris@airmail.net
R. Michael Smart
Lewisville Aquatic Ecosystem Research Facility, RR 3 Box 446,
Lewisville, TX 75056; 972.436.2215; msmart@gte.net
El Dorado Lake, located in south central Kansas, is
a moderately fluctuating Corps of Engineers' flood control reservoir.
The Tulsa District and Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks
initiated a Section 1135 ecosystem restoration project designed to
restore spawning and nursery habitat for fish by establishment of
aquatic vegetation in the lake. Twenty species of submersed,
floating-leaved and emergent plants were tested in the lake over a
three-year period, with many of these established in founder colonies.
Within protective exclosures, most plant species grew well and spread
quickly. Unprotected plants did poorly. Spread from protected areas
appeared to be limited by grazers, primarily common carp.
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