The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) announced that this year’s annual drawdown of Lake Bistineau is officially underway, a management practice aimed at helping control the spread of invasive giant salvinia.

But LDWF isn’t stopping there. Officials said several additional measures are being rolled out to protect and preserve the lake as a vital recreational and natural resource.

During the drawdown, LDWF staff will be conducting a water flow study by releasing tagged oranges near the Burges Camp area. Scientists have long used oranges as a low-cost, environmentally friendly way to track water movement. Residents who spot one of these oranges are encouraged to report the date and location to AquaticPlantControl@wlf.la.gov and then return it to the water.

In the coming weeks, LDWF will also release salvinia weevils into the lake to help reduce the invasive plant population. Officials say these weevils survived the past winter in central Louisiana, suggesting they may be more cold-tolerant than in previous years.

Other control efforts include continued herbicide applications, the strategic placement of floating booms to block plant movement, and the use of drone technology to detect problem areas more quickly and effectively.

LDWF expressed gratitude for the strong community support of its management efforts. “We’re working hard to keep Lake Bistineau the treasured resource it is,” officials said, noting that residents can learn more about salvinia and the state’s Aquatic Plant Control Program online.