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.