Lake Conway Renovation Update Planned for Nov. 2

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will host a special public meeting at the Mayflower High School cafeteria from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 2 to make a major announcement concerning the progress of the Lake Conway renovation project.

The planned five-year renovation project recently passed its three-year mark, and construction of the new spillway and auxiliary gates began last October. Although many aspects of the renovation are not yet complete, major construction details are wrapping up, and AGFC staff want to ensure landowners are prepared for the final stages of the project.

Nick Feltz, AGFC fisheries supervisor at the Mayflower field office, will be on hand to outline plans moving forward and answer questions regarding the timeline and remaining tasks.

“We’re well past the original deadline for landowners to complete repairs on their boathouses and shorelines, but we want to advise landowners to wrap up any remaining work soon,” Feltz said.

Feltz noted that the AGFC is aware of the brush and trees that have grown in the lakebed during the renovation, adding that most of that vegetation will help boost the lake’s productivity when the water returns.

“We’ve bush-hogged the boat lanes and sprayed some of the willow that’s popped up,” Feltz said. “All the smaller vegetation will die and decompose, which will give baitfish and other forage a place to grow before stocking of game fish begins. Really, the only trees we expect to survive will be some of the cypress that have sprouted, and we want to keep those around.”

Registration is not required to attend the upcoming public meeting, and anyone interested in hearing more details about the lake renovation is encouraged to participate. Visit www.agfc.com/lakeconway for a full project timeline and details on each component of the renovation to date.

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CUTLINES:

FISHING PIER
AGFC Fisheries Supervisor Nick Feltz urges landowners at Lake Conway to complete any repairs to their docks and boathouses soon. AGFC photo by Mike Wintroath.

CONSTRUCTION
Construction at Lake Conway’s dam has revolved around a new passive spillway and auxiliary gates to be used for management drawdowns and repairs. AGFC photo by Mike Wintroath.