Lake Drawdown Set

— The annual drawdown of lakes Hamilton and Catherine in Hot Springs starts Nov. 3.

Lake Hamilton will be drawn down five feet. Lake Catherine will be drawn down three feet this year.

Lake levels will be reduced about six inches per day on Lake Hamilton and about four inches per day on Lake Catherine. The drawdown will be complete on both lakes by Nov. 11.

The water released at the dams will be used to generate hydroelectric power.Both lakes will return to their normal summertime levels in March 2013.

In addition to facilitating shoreline maintenance and inspection, the annual drawdown is part of a plan to help control nuisance aquatic vegetation.

Fisheries, vegetation, facility management and downstream water needs are the key factors considered in deciding the drawdown’s depth and timing. The reason for the additional drawdown on Lake Hamilton is to combat an excessive growth of two common types of algae.

Outdoor, Pages 6 on 09/20/2012

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