Continuing their long-standing collaboration to enhance the overall health of Henderson Lake, and based on the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries recommendations, the St. Martin Parish Government has scheduled a drawdown for Henderson Lake in St. Martin Parish to help manage invasive aquatic vegetation and improve fisheries habitat.
Due to the recent record-setting rainfalls in St. Landry and Avoyelles Parishes, and the resulting floodwater that was diverted into Henderson Lake through the Bayou Courtableau Drainage structure, water levels in the lake are still high. Because of these high water levels, the start date for the drawdown will not occur at the beginning of August as it has in the past, but will begin once the lake has reached pool stage, or 9.0 feet above mean sea level (MSL) at the US Geologic Survey (USGS) Lake Pelba gauge (https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/USGS-302020091435700).
Once the southern control structure gates are open, the lake will dewater at a rate of 2 to 4 inches per day until it reaches 3.0 feet below pool stage, or 6.0 feet MSL at the USGS Lake Pelba gauge. The drawdown will conclude on Monday, November 2, 2026, at which time the lake will be allowed to refill…