Sebelius – Webster – Kirwin – Glen Elder –Lovewell Reservoirs Sebelius Reservoir 2015-2017

2310

2305 Cons. level

2300

2295 Elevation

2290

2285

2280

2275

Jul Jul Jul

Jun Jun Jun

Oct Oct Oct

Feb Apr Feb Apr Feb Apr

Sep Sep Sep

Dec Dec Dec

Aug Aug Aug

Nov Nov Nov

Mar Mar Mar

May May May

Jan-15 Jan-16 Jan-17 Sebelius Highlights…

 New MOA in May 2017 configured to further allow for an on-going temporary minimum pool level.

 The Almena irrigation district agrees to cease the withdrawal of water from the reservoir when the level declines to 2288.5’ above MSL.

 If the District’s point of diversion for releases is changed to the Prairie Dog Creek, releases will stop at 2289.5’ above MSL.

 Payments were to be made Jan. 1st, haven’t heard about transactions… Sebelius Fisheries… Tops in the State (based on DENSITY rating) for the following sportfish: Wipers (> 12”) Spotted Bass (> 11”)

2nd across all Reservoirs for : Saugeyes (> 14”) Black Crappies (> 8”) (> 12”)

Bluegills (> 6”) ranked 3rd among KS Reservoirs Webster Reservoir 2015-2017

1900

1895 Cons. level

1890

1885

1880

1875 Elevation

1870

1865

1860

1855

Mar Jul Jan-15 Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan-16 Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan-17 Feb Apr May Jun Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Webster Highlights…

 Longevity of the reservoir at or near full pool

 High water levels provide acres of beneficial fisheries habitat in the form of inundated terrestrial vegetation and timber

 Clause in the water level management plan with the BOR, allowing storage 2’ over conservation pool has been beneficial towards this longevity

 Strong year classes of both forage and sport fish cohorts produced

 If the elevated water level stays around long enough, the quality of angling success and opportunities will be prolonged

 Fisheries benefits are only part of the value of these elevated levels; wildlife, waterfowl, and park use benefits are realized as well

Webster Fisheries…

Webster Bluegill density rating is no. 1 in the State among Kansas Reservoirs

While Black Crappies occupy the 3rd highest density rating

Walleye (7th), White Bass (6th), and Wipers (12th) are species whose dynamics are all on the upswing, these sportfish will be providing excellent angling success in a couple of years 2015-2017

1735

1730 Cons. level

1725

1720 Elevation

1715

1710

1705

1700

Aug Jan-17 Jun Jan-15 Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan-16 Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Sep Oct Nov Dec Feb Mar Apr May Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Kirwin Highlights…

 As with Webster, water levels near conservation level at Kirwin the past two years have resulted in numerous fish and wildlife benefits that should last well into the future

 Tremendous littoral habitat exists at Kirwin providing the best possible conditions for forage and sport fish populations, and aiding in water quality improvement

 Again, excellent sportfish year classes have resulted from the desired conditions

 To compliment the fisheries upswing at Kirwin, a new fish cleaning facility project was completed in 2017, a cooperative effort between the USFWS- Kirwin NWR, the BOR, KDOC, and the KDWPT

 Rated the top Black Crappie Reservoir in Kansas for 2018 (density rating)

Glen Elder Reservoir 2015-2017

1460

1459

1458

1457

1456

Cons. level

1455 Elevation

1454

1453

1452

1451

1450

Mar Jul Nov Jan-15 Feb Apr May Jun Aug Sep Oct Dec Jan-16 Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan-17 Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Glen Elder Highlights…

 Reservoir levels of the past three years depict precipitation pattern we’ve experienced, the effects have been both good and not-so-good

 Water level rises are welcomed, however, quick drawdowns back to normal induce a degree of flushing of forage and sport fish species, particularly if occurring during spring months

 Nonetheless, the Glen Elder fishery is in good shape and water quality parameters continue to be healthy for all forms of aquatic recreation

 Glen Elder is the top-rated (density rating) reservoir in Kansas for both walleye and white bass, and 2nd and 5th respectively, for smallmouth and largemouth bass

 The smallmouth fishery is of trophy status, a new regulation (21” MLL) went into affect Jan. 1, 2018

Annual Glen Elder Youth Fishing Derby Trout introductions in the outflow area below the dam

Glen Elder Park Pond Renovation

Glen Elder is the only lake of the five discussed here that is an ‘ANS’ water having zebra mussels

Return of J.D. Bell, commercial fisherman to Glen to net buffalo from the west end, under the ice Glen Elder is the “Georgia Cube” capitol of artificial fish habitat 2015-2017 1586

1584

Cons. level 1582

1580

1578 Elevation

1576

1574

1572

1570

Feb Dec Jul Jan-15 Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Jan-16 Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan-17 Feb Mar Apr May Jun Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Lovewell Highlights…

 Two of the past three years exhibited near normal reservoir water levels and recharge as it relates to the irrigation function

 In 2017 with precipitation limited over the latter half of the year, a more significant decline was observed

 After four years of service, the fish barrier mechanism was removed from the entrance to the irrigation canal this past September

Busted!

 The verdict is still out as to whether it was in fact a positive influence to the sportfish populations of the reservoir

 The overall fishery at Lovewell sits ‘in the middle of the pack’ relative to ratings against other Kansas lakes and their sportfish welfare.

 A couple of bright spots…Lovewell sits 3rd in the State with its white crappie… look for some very good crappie fishing in a year or two at Lovewell!

 Lovewell’s blue catfish population is doing very well and will be attracting trophy catfish anglers in the years ahead.