Fighting aquatic invasives on Lake Seminole has been a multi-member team approach. Currently under the Handshake Program, 125 acres of lost ecosystem is being restored in Saunders Slough off the Chattahoochee River. This project was one of only 5 selected nationally by the USACE and is reflective of the strong relationship/partnership between the USACE (Mobile District), the Stewards of Lake Seminole and the Georgia DNR. This is a $127,000 project funded by USACE ($75,000), the Stewards of Lake Seminole ($28,000) and Georgia DNR ($24,000).
This ortho-mosaic shows the 125 acres that is being addressed. First, mechanical harvesting is removing thousands of tons of biomass created by Cuban bulrush and Giant Cut Grass to restore areas that have been so crucial to spawning fish.
The success of this project will help set the stage for the restoration of the other ~1000 acres in this area.
The following two pictures show the aquatic invasives infesting Saunders Slough and the biomass removal
Saunders Slough boat ramp was also cleared and made more accessible for anglers and hunters as can be seen from these before and after photographs.
The need to Save Lake Seminole is great to not only protect this tremendous resource, but to protect the financial impact it has on all the stakeholders which includes the State of Georgia and the Federal Government. Visitor spending of over $70,000,000 per year for Decatur and Seminole Counties was declining because of declining recreational access. This is starting to improve. The importance to the residents and communities is reflected in the nearly $400,000 contributed by them to help save the lake.
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