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FeedGaining hunting ground for ducks and other waterfowl on Lake Christina
I’ve written thousands of articles over the years and have a little list of favorites. One of those favorites came this past August when I wrote about the Outdoor News “Outdoor Leaders” award winner, the Christina-Ina-Anka Lake Association.
I met and interviewed some fascinating people who are passionate conservationists and waterfowlers that won’t take no for an answer. I’ve been honored that they are keeping me in the loop about the dewatering project on Lake Christina and would like to update readers on what’s going on.
According to an e-mail from lake association board member John House, as of Wednesday, Sept. 5, the lake has dropped 22.4 inches and receded 52 feet from its old shoreline. This is exactly what they were hoping for with the installation of massive pumps: bring down the water level to historic levels so that a winterkill can wipe out the evasive fish and minnows that stir up the water killing critical aquatic plants and invertebrates that are a valuable food source for ducks, particularly canvasback.
Check out the attached photos and I’ll let you read part of the e-mail House sent to me. Great job with this project and can’t wait to see the progress continue.
“Some very nice clusters of sago remain everywhere in shallow water, but quite spread apart. If the water was to remain low next year, this stuff would explode with growth. Also, this next is important: the Hardstem bulrush seeds began maturing and falling around 8/10 – 8/15, and have been ever since. Meaning that there are new seeds scattered across the entire newly exposed mud flats – as the shoreline marches outward, newly fallen seed (floating) stops at each new shoreline. If the water was to remain low next year, that also would explode into NEW growths of Hardstem bulrush.
Starting to get nervous about access for hunting. I tried to walk through the new muddy edge in hip waders and it was really, really tough. There is a hard bottom down there maybe 18” – 24” down, but it is brutal to take even one step – a very massive effort required. If you fall off of your walkway, or out of your boat, you'll be there for awhile!”
