June 2009 Updates page 5
9 June
Linn County Duck Update
We're draining the north half of the west marsh and hope to plant some milo or millet if we don't get too much rain in the near future. Regardless, we will have a good stand of smart weed and volunteer millet. The holding lake is full, so we will have water to move this fall.
The south half (picture below) is completely full, so we're going to keep it as is for reserve water in case of drought.
North marsh and south marsh.
We had plans to drain the north marsh, but it was done by an act of nature this spring. Flood water washed a hole in the levee, which is another project that will have to be completed by the fall season.
The east marsh looks real good in terms of the conditions of the levees and water. The north half was designed for holding water to fill the south half, but the birds don't seem to use the south half, so we're not draining the south marsh and letting it grow up in natural vegetation and trees, which should enhance the hunting in the future.
Several years ago the levee on the south side of the #4 wade-in area washed out and it was too wet to repair. Last fall we repaired it. It's holding a lot of water and it looks real good. It's a sleeper spot.
Holt County
Last week the duck marsh was planted to beans, but it's surrounded by over 1,000 acres of corn. The pump and blinds are in good shape and ready for the fall season.
Late season mallards using the flooded beans in Holt Co.
Henry County
Henry A is full of water. We're not planning to drain anything, but if the slough on Winkler's Lake dries up in July, we're planning to plant the mud flats in millet like we've done in the past.
Mallards feeding on millet that was planted the summer prior to the season of 07-08.
Henry B
The south half of the wade-in area was drained to plant milo and millet for the ducks, weather permitting.
A view from the NE corner of the south wade-in area facing south.
Henry C
We've had so much rain it's been impossible to drain the lake, but we plan to do so soon and plant a combination of milo and millet.
Henry D
We are keeping the water in case of drought.
All of the irrigation lakes in Cass and Vernon County are completely full and surrounded with a lot of corn.
