City leadership and the AGFC held an informative Q & A town hall for residents to hear the project plan, ask questions, and offer input. The high school cafeteria was left with standing room only with so many in attendance. A timeline was given at the event; in which several key milestones were provided: July 20th - all fishing limits/restrictions lifted. You catch it, you keep it. September 1st - drawdown begins. Spring '24 - Construction begins. Here is AGFC's New Lake Conway website with more exciting details.
As with any large public works project, these dates are projections and are subject to change. A big factor is Mother Nature. Hot, dry summers will speed compaction. Excessively rainy events or seasons could slow the draining and, therefore, the project as a whole. The project is projected to take up to 5 years, but could be shorter. As milestone dates approach, date estimates will be refined by the state.
No. The lake acts in partnership with Palarm Creek and the Arkansas River. Some rain events drop too much water for Palarm Creek to move quickly to the river, which can cause flooding. In addition, if the river is flooded, it can both slow the creek's ability to discharge water as well as back up into Palarm Creek and, in turn, into the lake. Homes in the flood plane will still be at risk.
Please reach out to Matt Schroeder, District 10 Fisheries Supervisor 501-604-0484, about specific permitting questions. For Land Use Policy regulations and permits, click this web link https://www.agfc.com/en/resources/regulations/land-use-policy/.
AGFC is moving the floating fishing dock from the Hwy 89 Access to another public access to avoid damage from stumps below the structure during the renovation. Many floating dock manufacturers recommend putting support structures in during lake drawdowns or, at the very least, ensuring the debris is removed under them so they can lay as flat as possible on smooth ground.
Permits have always been required to own a pier or boathouse on the AGFC buffer strip adjacent to private property, including during the renovation. However, no fee will be assessed during the renovation. Please reach out to Matt Schroeder, District 10 Fisheries Supervisor 501-604-0484, about specific permitting questions. For Land Use Policy regulations and permits, click this web link https://www.agfc.com/en/resources/regulations/land-use-policy/.
AGFC and its partners will create community volunteer days for a number of different improvement projects throughout this process. As these are scheduled we will promote the opportunities through our website, social media and Lake Conway text groups.
Public meetings were held in Mayflower and Conway to provide an opportunity for the public to hear our plans for Lake Conway and ask questions related to the project. There will be more public events thoughout the process.
The capacity of Palarm Creek and the level of the Arkansas River are the limiting factors for the rate at which water can be released from the lake. Very large precipitation events will still flood similar areas as in the past.
AGFC does not have regulatory authority over point source pollution, including sewage. We will be working with the Arkansas Department of Health and the Arkansas Division of Environmental Quality to monitor these and similar issues during the drawdown.
AGFC is encouraging boat owners to remove their boats by September 1 to ensure adjacent landowners are able to get their boats off of the lake, as the rate of drawdown will vary based on weather conditions. It is up to the boat owner what to do with the boat once it is removed from the lake. If you do not plan on using the boat on another lake during the renovation period and you would like to keep the boat, it is best to store the boat on the trailer and undercover.
We are actively working to determine hunting regulations in this area.
Just as we expect many of the fish to follow the natural flow of water into Palarm Creek and the Arkansas River, we expect alligators to do the same. We will not be capturing any alligators and prefer to let them follow their natural instincts. Alligators should not be fed. If you do see strange behavior, please contact the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
Where applicable, very limited excavation may occur, but the sediment consolidation resulting from an extended drawdown will add up to 40% of water volume to the lake.
The Grassy Lake Water Trail is not within Lake Conway. This trail will be maintained following normal maintenance schedules.
This is currently unknown.
Swimming is technically allowed in Lake Conway. However, we do not encourage swimming as a primary recreational activity in Lake Conway. Primary activities in Lake Conway are fishing and hunting. Beaverfork Lake is a local swimming destination.
There are no current plans to add additional boat launches to Lake Conway, but that is subject to change. The plan is to repair and upgrade existing access points across the lake.
The bid process will open later this year and be advertised through appropriate channels.
AGFC does not have regulatory authority over point source pollution, including sewage. We will be working with the Arkansas Department of Health and the Arkansas Division of Environmental Quality to monitor these and similar issues during the drawdown.
AGFC does not have regulatory authority over point source pollution, including sewage. We will be working with the Arkansas Department of Health and the Arkansas Division of Environmental Quality to monitor these and similar issues during the drawdown.
The drawdown will begin on September 1, 2023. The time in takes the lake to fully drain will largely depend on the weather. However, work is planned to begin in the spring of 2024.
The project is expected to last up to 5 years.
The lake is fed by a quite large watershed and should fill within a year of project completion. However, this also depends on the weather and rainfall.
Standard fishing tackle and passive gear such as jugs, trotlines, and yo-yos will be allowed. Commercial fishing gear will not be allowed.
Yes. However, all work must be approved and permitted before construction begins.
Yes. However, the permit fee will be waived when the lake is drained.
Forage fish, coppernose bluegill, redear sunfish, black crappie, white crappie, largemouth bass (Florida strain), channel catfish, and flathead catfish.
