Henderson Lake drawdown set to combat invasive plant growth

– The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is set to begin a drawdown of Henderson Lake in an effort to combat invasive plants that clog waterways and hinder the natural life cycle of the lake, a biologist with LDWF told the St. Martin Parish Council’s Public Works Committee this past Tuesday.

Lowering the level of the lake is one of three methods the LDWF uses to control the water hyacinth, giant salvinia and hydrilla that can reproduce rapidly and interfere with the biological health of the lake, Brac Salyers told the committee.

LDWF also wants to control the plants to help out crawfishermen, fishermen, oil and gas companies, swamp tours, boaters and others who use the lake for commercial or recreational purposes.