There are more encouraging developments regarding restoration of Bayou St. John. You may recall that in May of 2014, LPBF had the final vegetation planting of our wetland creation project at the mouth of the bayou on the lake side of the floodgate structure. LPBF initiated monitoring of the vegetation and the plant cover has expanded quickly. Also over the summer, other nice indicators were that baitfish were present and there were often herons and egrets preying on them. This fall we began to observe regular fishers both from the bank and from kayaks. Many folks were making multiple trips. Anecdotal reports were that some fishers were regularly limiting out on speckled trout in October, and that it was evident shrimp were also in the bayou. We even had reports of some redfish hook-ups. The pictures of caught fish here that I’ve seen are trout 12 to 16 inches, which are respectable eating-size. I’ve not heard of any monster trout. On November 5, 2014, the Orleans Levee Board conducted a test opening of the floodgate to allow water to flow from the lake and into the otherwise landlocked bayou. The opening was for one hour, and went smoothly. We had observers from LPBF, LSU Seagrant, La Wildlife and Fisheries, Orleans Levee Board, and Burke- Kleinpeter. Visually, the opening seemed encouraging. The water flow was vigorous, but not to any extent that might seem to threaten the wetland integrity or other project elements. A video of the opening can be seen on YouTube: https://youtube/ watch?v=fe5bvkbYa6w&feature=youtu.be. The flow through the floodgate allowed a slight rise in the bayou water level of about 6 inches, but within the pre-established target water elevation range. Biological monitoring was conducted after theopening, but this data has not yet been analyzed. It is hoped that openings will enhance recruitment into the bayou. The new wetland should help promote this since the marsh should concentrate organisms, which then can be flushed into the bayou during an opening. However, the marsh is still subject to the seasonality of species common to Lake Pontchartrain. During October and November, the trout caught at Bayou St. John was during the fall run of speckled trout. As lake temperatures fall, there will be less activity and less potential for recruitment with floodgate openings. It is still desirable to have openings even during low recruitment periods. The new channel that was dredged at the mouth of the bayou will tend to silt-up from lake wave action. Occasional openings help hydrologically maintain the channel. In addition, a slight elevation in salinity is desirable for the bayou and the connecting City Park Lagoon system. LPBF, UNO and the levee board have established environmental protocols for the opening of the flood gate. The fall run of speckled trout and shrimp at the Bayou St. John wetlands are very encouraging for the lakefront also. The Orleans lakefront shore line is the historic stepped seawall, which has a great tradition of fishing, but in reality represents relatively low quality habitat for many miles. The Bayou St. John wetland is the only bit of marsh habitat along the otherwise concrete shoreline. The concentration of fish and other species at the bayou is important for habitats, refuge, and food sources, but it is also a destination that fish must travel. In other words, it is hoped that the Bayou St. John wetland improves fishing in general along the south shore. LPBF has identified other potential wetland creation projects along the south shore. Each one of these projects will incrementally improve lake habitat, fishing recreation, etc. If you wish to support the Bayou St. John project or other similar projects, please contact us at (504) 836- 2215.
Posted on: Wed, 07 Jan 2015 21:16:28 +0000
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