SPENCER, Iowa. February 26, 2007 – After a year of collaboration, work is moving forward on efforts to enhance the wildlife habitat and improve the aquatic ecology of 490-acre Dan Green Slough in northeastern Clay County. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Ducks Unlimited (DU) are finalizing an outlet design that more closely approximates the historic run-out channel of the lake.
“Restoring the historic outlet of the Dan Green Slough and controlling rough fish will result in sustained improvements in water quality and waterfowl habitat,” said Roger Pederson, DU conservation manager.
Although Dan Green Slough averages only about three feet deep and has a maximum depth of four feet, lake water levels have remained too high and winters too mild to winterkill carp and other invasive fish in recent years. This has limited the lake’s ability to provide quality wetland habitat for migrating ducks. The new outlet will allow the slough to dewater as it did in historic times. Normal or dry weather in the future should allow the lake to naturally winterkill more frequently and improve water quality and aquatic ecology for waterfowl and other wildlife.
Due to its very shallow nature, Dan Green Slough historically experienced periodic draw-downs and winter fish kill events. Low numbers of fish in shallow lakes and wetlands are correlated with clear water, which allows aquatic plants and invertebrates to flourish.
“This project will significantly improve wildlife habitat conditions in Dan Green Slough,” said Neil Heiser, the Iowa DNR’s district supervisor. “We are pleased to have the help and cooperation of DU and landowners to make this important shallow lake improvement. It will help meet the habitat goals of the state’s Duck Plan.”
Pederson says the project is a real team effort. “We depend on cooperation from both the DNR and private landowners to implement shallow lake improvement projects. Enhancing Dan Green Slough is one more accomplishment in DU’s Living Lakes Initiative,” he said. “With the continued cooperation and funding of partners like the Iowa DNR, The North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA), and private landowners, we hope to enhance, protect and restore a series of shallow lakes complexes throughout Iowa.”
"Ducks Unlimited is the world’s largest wetlands, waterfowl, and wildlife conservation organization," said Scott Mercant, Area Chairman of the Clay County Ducks Unlimited Chapter "Our organization has conserved over 12 million acres of wetlands and related waterfowl habitat since 1937. The majority of DU’s revenues are generated by one million supporters and members through fund-raising events like the one scheduled on March 10. The night will be filled with opportunities to participate in exciting games, live and silent auctions, raffles, and prizes including fine quality artwork, guns, decoys and many other special items all while you help support wetland conservation." Merchant went on to say, “The funds from our banquet go to support our science-based wetland restoration projects such as restoring outlet of the Dan Green Slough here in Clay County.”
With more than a million supporters, Ducks Unlimited is the world’s largest and most effective wetland and waterfowl conservation organization. The United States alone has lost more than half of its original wetlands - nature’s most productive ecosystem - and continues to lose more than 80,000 wetland acres each year.