Drawdown of Lake Conway Arkansas

In this video, we delve into the latest developments regarding the lake drawdown project. We'll assess the current progress, and explore the potential improvements that could impact the project's success. Don’t miss this comprehensive update on one of the most important environmental initiatives of the decade!
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[@rawwhide]

Caney creek gets the snub lol. I'm sure its dry though. Thanks for the video. I fished and lived on that lake for many years from the late 70's till the late 90's

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@rawwhide I did not mean to snub Caney Creek nor Greens Lake but I managed to do so. 🤦‍♂️ Thanks for watching. Please subscribe.

[@chadrowe8452]

Did they trap the gator at caney? I heard rumors.

[@charlesmoore9970]

Best thing could happen to a lake nearly, when does come back give it a couple yrs and will be the best fishing its ever had

[@billkaldem5099]

Yes sir

[@ronaldmitchell2565]

Y

[@gr8whitailhunter505]

Grew up on that lake (paradise Landing). Seen it the last time it was drained.. good for the fish when it all gets back to normal again.. time will tell

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@gr8whitailhunter505 I have confidence it will be better.

[@NaturalStateFishing]

Man it’s crazy. Thanks for sharing! These drawdowns are super interesting.

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@NaturalStateFishing Thank you for watching!

[@EricBynog-zd4rd]

@@SlicksOutdoorswhat are they going to do dig it deeper

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@EricBynog-zd4rd proposed to clean stumps from boat trails and widen them to 50 feet as well as mark them with telephone poles. Remove the dam and replace with a spillway. Add 3500 fish attractors and gravel beds to provide better spawning habitat among other things.

[@EricBynog-zd4rd]

@@SlicksOutdoors ok cool is it deep enough

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@EricBynog-zd4rd the average depth is 4.5 feet. Deepest spot is 16 feet according to google. The Game and fish claimed the silt would compact from exposure to the atmosphere up to 3.5 feet. 💁‍♂️

[@abrideforchrist4247]

Thank you sir. . for your video You answered all my questions...

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@abrideforchrist4247 Thank you for watching.

[@robbubba8020]

50 some odd years old huh?? I say the same thing😂 man i hope ya'll get your lake back soon shame about all them fish dying off that sounds like a lot of work needs to be done before they can fill it back up and they're definitely gonna need a lot more material than that little bit a gravel for that big ol lake wish you luck my friend

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@robbubba8020 lol, yes 50 some odd! Thank you for watching and the encouraging words bud!

[@KungFuFighter-h3k]

I like the way you talk.

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@KungFuFighter-h3k Thank you for watching, please subscribe.

[@billkaldem5099]

I seem to remember in the early 1970’s they did this or something very similar and when it was finally refilled within a couple of years was fantastic fishing.

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@billkaldem5099 I know they have drawn it down several times in the past (don’t remember when) and it has been an improvement on the fishing quality.

[@billkaldem5099]

@@SlicksOutdoors I remember it stayed drawn down for a few years. I even remember being able to see ponds from the interstate that G@F built and had game fish in them so when the lake was refilled they broke the levies and restocked the lake. Within a couple of year it was the best fishing in the state and yes while it was drained there were a lot of unhappy people.

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@billkaldem5099 I’d just like to see some progress. Lol

[@billkaldem5099]

@@SlicksOutdoors understand sir.

[@MindyMouser]

I would love to be able to go out there and sludge around to harvest fishing lures that have been snagged by the stumps!

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@MindyMouser that is on my list but the weather is going to have to cool off first. 😂

[@MindyMouser]

@@SlicksOutdoors Ain't that the truth!! It's been hot! My hubby and I went out one day here while back and it was muddy but we did get a lot of fishing line off of some stumps by the bank. There's tons of that that needs to be cleaned out!

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@MindyMouser yes there is. Need to carry a trash bag and a goodie bag.

[@horseman2232]

gee whizz Laurence landing used to live on top of that hill used to be a out board repair shop there years ago i miss my friends on that lake good video thanks.

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@horseman2232 Thank you for watching and your comments.

[@NoneofYourbusiness-j8x]

Good Ole A.R. Kansas. So basically it's back to its natural state.

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@NoneofYourbusiness-j8x that is awesome! 😂🤣

[@mikewest712]

Local here. I feel like there is a big misconception as to what is being done to the lake. What construction are you expecting to take place? I know there were plans to repair docks, and clear out boat trails. Most people think there will be heavy equipment to scrape and haul out silt. That is not happening.

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@mikewest712 removing the dam and building a spillway!

[@IncogNito-gg6uh]

@@SlicksOutdoors That could be years then?

[@Avatar-yp8yl]

@@IncogNito-gg6uh its a 5 year long project

[@jasonsliger5430]

I drive past it three or four times a year, visiting relatives in Russellville and was curious as to what was going on.

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@jasonsliger5430 glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching.

[@Paradox7539]

Will the Corp allow you do do some dredging around your dock?

[@SlicksOutdoors]

It isn’t the CORP it is the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. They said we can apply for a permit to to do some dredging if they approve it.

[@bradcates8559]

Thanks for the update, very interested in how this works out. Keeping a eye on lake houses for sale, may be a good retirement spot in the next few years.

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@bradcates8559 I thoroughly enjoyed having a lake in the back yard. I’d say it would be a great investment.

[@NotBlackWolf]

I wonder if them couple gator are still in there.

[@SlicksOutdoors]

I never saw any gators when it was full so I’m not gonna hold my breath. Lol

[@Dustin-Williams83]

I heard they haven’t been approved for several needed permits but don’t know if that’s correct or not

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@Dustin-Williams83 I have heard the same thing but do not know either. It is definitely poor planning if they drained a 6700 acre lake then tried to get the necessary permits!🤦‍♂️

[@Dustin-Williams83]

@@SlicksOutdoors I agree sir

[@Pokucollector]

Is it illegal to take silt and logs out independently?

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@Pokucollector landowners can remove stumps and only the silt (can not dig into subsurface) within 200 feet of their land and docks.

[@stillwater62]

That is the Government for you. Even after they fix the dam and fill it back up, it will have to be restocked, then wait another two years for any decent size fish. You are probably looking at another four or five years before the lake gets back to normal. That is about how long it took for them to replace the dam on the lake close to me. There were trees three-to-four-inch diameter growing in the lake bottom when they finally started to refill the lake. It looked like a dang forest.

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@stillwater62 it will definitely take time for the fishing to recover from this.

[@georgehall4641]

@@Owlshadow.If it were the Dems , they would take out the dam and just leave a creek .

[@jenniferbolton9106]

I just want the Conway gator to come back 😢

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@Owlshadow. lol

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@jenniferbolton9106 I’ve fished this lake for 50 some odd years and have never seen a gator here.

[@sherry6569]

That's the bridge. Great time's lots of party's.

[@chesterandchristiedavis7134]

They should not have ever started this project until they had all the permits needed....Winter rains will start in late October and they will not be able to get in and do work until next summer... complete failure on the project manager if u ask me!

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@chesterandchristiedavis7134 I agree bud! Terrible planning.

[@eddiecochran4814]

Pierce creek is supposed to be 100 parking spot and weigh in building like lake daredalle has.

[@baddriversoflittlerock8359]

I didnt even know they drained it till friday when i went by it. I know we have had more rain than normal for any projects. They drained it likely 20 years ago or so for fixing something.

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@baddriversoflittlerock8359 yes, for about 6 months it would go down 3 or so feet then it’d rain and come right back up.

[@CaneCorsoZ]

Looks like it’s gonna be awhile boys

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@CaneCorsoZ you ain’t wrong. Lol

[@Schism75]

Bet you could find some artifacts there!

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@Schism75 I’m sure but don’t get caught. Lol

[@j.l.327]

I know this is a kick in the gut, but there is hope, i live near lake poinsett and they did the same but it is much smaller. The lake is now full and restocked and i think the crappie restriction is coming off next year. Overall i think the lake is better, we have to much vegetation around the banks but we had none at all before. The lake is different now for sure but it has some better aspects in ways. Just try to find another place and keep praying. I dont agree with everything ag&fc did with the lake but i admit it is healthier for sure, if you can forget about beating the bank and back off that grassline a little, the fishing can be decent at times. It was hard to watch but there was light at the end of the tunnel. Good luck👍

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@j.l.327 Thank you for the words of encouragement. I’m sure it will be better in the long run.

[@just_observing1]

Skiers better see this. Those stumps aren't far under the water.

[@dee_gee_bee6072]

Yea it looks crazy when you drive by it on I40 now. Used to be such a beautiful scene to enjoy passing through. Hope they get it fixed up. I don’t understand the point of why they did it.

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@dee_gee_bee6072 the main reason I got from the Game and Fish Commission is to remove the manually operated dam and replace it with a spillway.

[@PoohBearDaPlug]

@@SlicksOutdoorswhy does this story change? They drained the lake and realized how many stumps are really out there??? I grew up yoyoing this lake, and I’m terribly sad about this.

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@PoohBearDaPlug I’m not sure about a changing story, they just haven’t started doing anything yet. 🤦‍♂️

[@PoohBearDaPlug]

@@SlicksOutdoors you haven’t heard they drained it for stump removal? That’s the story I’ve been told on ever Facebook group i join. And i hate it.

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@PoohBearDaPlug only the boat trails is all they proposed.

[@skiqsr]

Drawn down skam!!!!

[@davidsandberg7631]

looks like mostly a shallow lake. correct me if I am wrong . Hope they can get lake fixed and filled back up soon...

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@davidsandberg7631 yes it is shallow. There are a couple of 16 foot holes. The average depth is 4.5 feet.

[@kirkbenefiel8920]

Yep that's how I remember it with the brain cells I got left😂

[@lalaland2797]

Arkansas accents are the best

[@SlicksOutdoors]

You ain’t wrong!

[@seanfloyd4510]

Now would be the time to get some of them damn stumps out of the way. I remember when they dropped the lake years back and they started following sewage lines up to peoples houses. Lol

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@seanfloyd4510 stump removal in the boat lanes is on their list of to do’s. Landowners can cut/mulch stumps within 200 feet of the shoreline or a permitted structure.

[@WholeOtherLevelOutdoors]

👍

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@WholeOtherLevelOutdoors I have some drone footage coming soon brother! Maybe it will be useful when we get to fish it again.

[@CatfishWeekly]

So mostly all of the fish was lost?

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@CatfishWeekly yes sir, what are not trapped in the deeper pools. They lifted all the length and creel limits when the drawdown started.

[@stevem.9670]

A lot of the fish went to the Arkansas River. This pool of the river is excellent fishing now. A lot more bigger bass are being caught now on this pool

[@clayton203]

I guess being from the ridge and really not knowing the lake, a person could go down there and mark structure and stump fields for future references,

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@clayton203 yes, it is a good time for that.

[@stevem.9670]

The entire Lake is a stump field 🤣

[@clayton203]

@@stevem.9670 don’t know the lake, that’s what I said, someone not knowing the lake could come take a look and see how it’s laid out, from different shorelines, may take a few trips, but a person could sorta get an idea

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@clayton203 definitely. I should have some drone footage post on KZbin soon also.

[@Innercityoutdoorsman]

What type of construction you need to do when you have to drain the lake

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@Innercityoutdoorsman tear out the dam and replace it with a spillway is the main objective of the project.

[@LawrenceLarson-ln8yy]

Looking at the old stumps and trees makes me ask "How deep is the lake when full" ?

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@LawrenceLarson-ln8yy 16 feet at the deepest, 4.5 feet average depth.

[@vanpatterson2080]

I kayak fished it 24 miles according to my GPS a couple years ago. I could touch my paddle everywhere I went. .. when I wasn't bouncing off stumps.

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@vanpatterson2080 it is sure stumpy! Maybe this “Natural Compaction” they are talking about will improve the depth some. Thanks for watching.

[@bobbyswain7049]

At this rate I expect the finish date to be somewhere around 2035.....unreal how slow they are at getting stuff done

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@bobbyswain7049 construction was slated to begin spring 2024. 🤦‍♂️

[@PeasantKing-od5lg]

Yeah, they were working on I-40 in West Memphis for about 30 years 😂

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@PeasantKing-od5lg absolutely! 🤣😂

[@aliaskong1723]

Ms has lakes they're drawing Down for dam work. They havent done anything in a year.

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@aliaskong1723 same here. 🤦‍♂️

[@Dodsonmonty]

Believe it or not. With just a little research you can see that they have been working.

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@Dodsonmonty I’m not doubting it for sure but I can’t find anything.

[@mfrank3518]

Unfortunately the lake won’t be filled back up for about 4 years. Cole and Jays channel are still getting to some fish.

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@mfrank3518 it’ll be here before you know it.

[@jameslovelace8958]

You need to be taking photos for the future. Once it’s filled back up you will know where things are.

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@jameslovelace8958 yes sir, I hope these videos will help also.

[@angelreder9064]

that is not to far from me down in Norfork

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@angelreder9064 I love fishing the white river out of Norfork.

[@jasonjackson7154]

AGFC drained our lake, it seem like it took a few years, and we couldn’t fish when it was down or you would get a ticket, I know there was some good fish lost, it was a shame to see them die like that and couldn’t get them, but our lake is back now and doing okay

[@SlicksOutdoors]

It is legal to fish it still, just hard to get to the water.

[@556guy4]

They need to make restrooms near their docks.

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@556guy4 you ain’t wrong.

[@blind-dateoutdoorssportsma547]

That's not a lake. It's a swamp pond or shallow water slough.

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@blind-dateoutdoorssportsma547 it is now for sure. 🤣

[@robertcounts5300]

swamp is what it was before the lake was built, my grandfather told me there were so many ducks there they blocked the sun !

[@Squizzle56]

What are they supposed to do?

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@Squizzle56 remove stumps in boat trails to 50 feet wide. Put in 3500 fish structures (like there is no structure). Put in gravel beds for improved spawning habitat. Remove the manually operated dam and replace with a spillway. Those are the main goals.

[@Squizzle56]

@@SlicksOutdoors They did a project similar to this, somewhat, in 17-21 on Mercer Bayou near Sulfur River in Miller County. Plans were to widen boat lanes, bush hog, and poison moss and Lilly pads. Excess rainfall pushed completion to 22. I think the greatest improvement was the widening of the canal to the main channel.

[@pawpawdiablo313]

Wait till ALL THE HUMAN REMAINS GET UNWARTHED!

[@feelnrite]

It will take a long time for the mud to dry out so they can work.

[@SlicksOutdoors]

They could dredge the mud and haul it out to get to dry ground underneath it.

[@CentraStrike]

Where the hell am I supposed to wakeboard now!?

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@CentraStrike if I sell my Lake Conway flat bottom and buy an airboat I’ll give you a shout bud! 😂

[@fullnelsontv721]

Looks like the State is moving at the Speed of Government Efficiency, LOL.....

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@fullnelsontv721 you ain’t wrong!

[@josephfigura5227]

Underground work projects have stalled

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@josephfigura5227 evidently!

[@Howardhandupme]

Grassly lake won't be any duck hunting this year

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@Howardhandupme not without a lot of rain.

[@gregketcher2786]

Lake conway could really use about 2 more foot full pool elevation than it ever had

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@gregketcher2786 that wouldn’t hurt my feelings, plus it would be easier for my old self to get in and out of my boat from my dock. 🤣 There are several houses around the lake that would lose a lot of land due to their elevation being lower than mine though.

[@johnathanfuell6820]

Game & Fish really screwed the pooch on this one! Conway was one of THE BEST lakes in Arkansas for Bream and Crappie! (Had some pretty good cats too if you knew where to find them...) AGFC has plans to turn it into YET ANOTHER managed bass lake with Largemouth, Kentucky, and Stripers. They think it will improve tourism and economics for the city of Conway. The fishing will NEVER BE THE SAME. They're removing all the snags and stumps that crappie and bream LOVE and used to breed and thrive. That lake was JUST FINE the way it was. . . But the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission can do no wrong 😅

[@dustinclark8107]

Seen 13 trash cans in one day literally buried in the lake. Seen crude oil pure into the lake and cleaned at not up. Seen a tornado dump RVs, trash, fuel into it. Watched " fisherman" leave truck loads of Styrofoam worm containers, rubber gloves, left over fishing lines, floaters just to rot and kill wild life. Watches silt cover more than %70 of the pan fish bets. I'm absolutely ecstatic for it to be drained.

[@justinberry3991]

Tried to laugh at this but only could downvote

[@justinberry3991]

​@@dustinclark8107don't try to steal gods toilet that's NE Arkansas

[@pauldonathan5316]

Didn't they say something like 5 years? Get used to a whole lotta nothing going on

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@pauldonathan5316 yes it was originally slated for 5 years. So far nothing is all that has happened.

[@gregkilgore4035]

Looks like it should be a good place to bass fish. If it had some water. That is a shame. Only good thing I could see. Is maybe see where all the structure is and map it out. So when water is finally there. You may have the upper hand. If a person does try to pull a boat across that mud he'd sink up to his armpits. LOL. Wonder how much wildlife has got stuck and probably died in that nasty stuff.

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@gregkilgore4035 it was an awesome bass fishery,Crappie and Flathead too! That mud is about waist deep for sure (I speak from first hand experience)!!!🤣

[@justinberry3991]

Irrigation. 16 17 days it'll be full again

[@JBsmoker00]

I bet you can find some cheap land out there right now??

[@Hondabill]

Hopefully the work will not take as long as the I 30 Benton construction

[@SlicksOutdoors]

You ain’t wrong. Lol

[@Nova-m8d]

That's a really shallow lake.

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@Nova-m8d 4.5 foot average depth.

[@DV-ol7vt]

Lake looks silted inn?

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@DV-ol7vt it is terribly silted in. According to the game and fish exposing the bottom to the atmosphere can compact it 1 to 3 feet. 🤦‍♂️

[@lindabarnes-c5r]

This is on purpose .....

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@lindabarnes-c5r yes.

[@sherry6569]

Go mayflower 83

[@sherry6569]

I use to walk across dam

[@markjgaletti57]

clear the land grow some Afghan Kush OG hybrid the fertile soil give a bumper crop

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@markjgaletti57 I’m sure it is very fertile!

[@chadrowe8452]

I dont like the gold creek side. There always seemed more trash near the freeway

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@chadrowe8452 I guess that area is probably more traveled. Thanks for watching.

[@maxsparks5183]

Looks like you need to mow.

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@maxsparks5183 you ain’t wrong! 🤣

[@MrT13]

Looks like it’s time to sell whatever boat you had and buy an airboat. And put a blind on your dock.

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@MrT13 you ain’t wrong! 🤣

[@MrT13]

@@SlicksOutdoors lol I mean sometimes life gives you lemons, or a beautiful elevated stable long range hunting platform ready for a blind lol.

[@jenniferbolton9106]

So they want to make the lake better for boats but how is all the extra plants, bushes and shrubbery supposed to help? Lmao

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@jenniferbolton9106 well clearing the boat trails will be a help. I am not sure how planting more cypress trees is going to help the ecosystem. All the vegetation that is coming up will rot and make food for baitfish when it get back under water. It should decompose fairly quickly I would think. Thank you for your questions and for watching.

[@joek511]

Anybody out there got a drone? I do but it's too far from me, in North Eastern Ms. If you got one, film it and give slick the video.

[@SlicksOutdoors]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iGebc2hjfahqaq8si=pAMIKPh2NRrl5mrW

[@ranbo9390]

The game and fish said construction will start in the spring well it’s fall and nothing

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@ranbo9390 totally agree Bud. I just wish they would “make a showing”.

[@sherry6569]

Gators

[@rowdybroomstick6394]

Honestly surprised their wasn't a petition signed or a class action lawsuit because everyone around the lake lost huge sums of money in terms of the value of their house and land. And if anyone did have their home for sale at the time they more than likely wouldn't be able to sell because of loss of interest from perspective buyer's who wanted to live on the lake. And as far as equipment operation in the belly of that lake goes, that'll be a complete disaster as i doubt anything will be able to function successfully in that mud. And if their purposed plan doesn't follow the timeline they puposed i would immediately begin a class action against agfc period. I live around 4 major lakes myself and I've tried living other places that didn't have lake's nearby and what i found was alot of people seem to have more drug problems because of nothing to do, i couldn't do it, lakes are important, they give young kids something to do.

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@rowdybroomstick6394 I dont know where it is all going. 🤦‍♂️ hopefully they will at least start before the rainy season comes back.

[@rowdybroomstick6394]

I reviewed the website where they said questions would be answered but all I seen was a bunch of vague and or ignored questions, id be getting together a petition and demand compensation they said they had a meeting where people could express their thoughts but nothing was ever going to be considered either way. You got billions of dollars for a project, you can compensate the people period.

[@MrT13]

Welcome to living in a republic. Better for all often means not good for everyone.

[@want2boutdoors274]

​@SlicksOutdoors it's just sad to drive by and see it all drained and the loss of a lot of fish. I know they removed all limits and made it, take what you want, but they could of done something better. It's going to take years to get fishing back to where it was. There are a lot of shad around them culverts. You can fill a few buckets. I may need to go back down and fill my freezer with bait.

[@MrT13]

@@want2boutdoors274 now would also be the time to do dock work, and maybe build a couple fish reefs/holes etc. here and there.

[@crarchery134]

Agfc said the other day they haven't even got the permits for construction yet 😮

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@crarchery134 so the AGFC built the lake 76 years ago and they have to get a permit to work on it? Bureaucracy. 🤦‍♂️

[@billkaldem5099]

@@SlicksOutdoorswell said

[@Chris_L034]

i think thats suppose to be a 5 yr project.

[@SlicksOutdoors]

@@Chris_L034 yes that was their original projection.

[@johnevans1969]

Man that sucks

[@D_eyeofthe_BHolder]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Conway