Arkansas Game and Fish Commission using helicopter to drop thousands of pounds of gravel into Lake Conway

Thursday at 04:44 AM

LAKE CONWAY, Ark. – A helicopter is dropping almost a million pounds of gravel and pipe gathered by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission for future fish to flourish.

Nicholas Feltz supervises the Mayflower district fisheries. When they dried up as part of the planned Lake Conway renovation, his sub-surface duties shifted to rehabilitation.

“We’re using this gravel to build brim spawning beds, and so these locations are going to serve multiple sport fish species in the lake when it comes time for them to reproduce,” Feltz explained.

Helicopters drop gravel for Lake Conway habitat project, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

If AFGC wanted to cart the 270 bags of gravel weighing about 3,500 pounds each by land, Feltz said there two options: drive through the lake or cut down dozens of trees on public hunting grounds. Because of the softness of the lakebed, the timing of hunting season and the impact on the environment, a helicopter was the best and most cost-effective option.

Thomas Mann with Aircrane Incorporated out of Georgia is contracted for three days of moving pipe and gravel to select locations. Work started Tuesday and will finish Thursday.

“I’ve been flying since I was 14 years old, been doing it now for over 25 years, 12,000 flight hours…First time doing lake rehabilitation work,” Mann said.

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Each drop spot is picked to ensure fish can lay eggs where they won’t have to worry about being suffocated by silt. The plant life grown by drying out the lake will also help fish hide until they are great fishing size which AFGC said will be worth the wait.

“We’re just trying to keep the needle moving forward on this project, doing the type of activities we’re allowed to do while we’re waiting for our other permits to come through…The comforting thing I can tell people. We all know how this story ends…an explosion of fish populations” Feltz said.

This is the first of many habitat advancement efforts at Lake Conway. Feltz stated some may require a helicopter again or something else.

“These guys have been great,” Mann said. “Everyone is out here to help the community…I can’t wait to see the finished product.”

Recent conditions, planned renovations causing dead fish to appear in Lake Conway

When asked how the totality of renovation work on Lake Conway is progressing, Feltz said there is still some work in the process of getting permitted by the Army Corps of Engineers.

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