MOULTRIE — The big boulders below the dam at Reed Bingham State Park resemble large piles of brown bread baking in the May sun. There is no water cascading over the dam and through their crevices.
The drought that plagues South Georgia has the lake at very low levels, incredibly low for this time of year. Below the dam, Little River is not flowing. Wading birds, such as the blue heron, traipse through the pools spearing small fish.
Typically at this time of year, fisherman are found below the dam catching redbreast and bluegill in the eddies between the rocks and the dam. Not so on Friday. It was dry boulders and dry dirt.
“And I’m afraid we’re going to have a tremendous grass problem in the lake with these conditions,” said Park Superintendent Chet Powell.
Powell said the low water combined with the warm temperatures is causing the grass to grow. In the shallows, the light can get down into the depths to create the photosynthesis necessary to make the grass much more prolific.
Except in the channel, Reed Bingham is a shallow lake. It’s long had a grass problem.
“And we don’t have the money here now to fight it. I’ve ordered a new chemical that we want to try on it. It should be here next week,” said Powell.
Powell said the grass problem could be bad enough to make the lake almost non-navigable this summer.
Irrigation upstream of the park may contribute to the low water levels in the lake as farmers battle the worst drought in 50 years. In some areas, farmers are irrigating their land so they can get seed into the ground and others are trying to save those plants that are up.
Also upstream, logs and stumps are being revealed that boaters must be wary of.
“Some of this happens every year but generally it’s at the end of the summer,” said Powell.
Still the park is a popular place as visitors take advantage of the camping and nature trails as well as the lake. The park is home to a bald eagle, numerous deer and alligators. Also, gopher tortoises have been quite a feature at the park as volunteers have helped protect their eggs from predators such as fox, armadillos and opossums.
“And we’ve just had a couple drive in from South Carolina to view a limkin,” said Powell.
A limkin is a rare wading bird for these parts. It’s smaller than the blue heron, which is very common in this area. The limkin is common to Florida and Southeast Georgia along the Okefenokee Swamp. It feeds in the shallows off frogs, tadpoles, water bugs and small fish.
Local News
Drought may spur grass in lake
- Local News
-
-
Judge denies motions
The judge in the trial of five alleged gang members slapped down various defense attorneys’ requests Tuesday, including one to declare mistrials for some of the defendants.
-
Reed Bingham to open new pier, bridge in time for summer
A new fishing pier, bridge and trails are just some of the improved amenities that Reed Bingham State Park is offering its visitors this summer. During the past year, park staff and volunteers have been hard at work to make sure that south Georgians have a great place to spend their weekends and staycations, according to park officials.
-
Tax refund scheme busted in prison
Five South Geogia men, including two who were operating within a prison, have been variously sentenced from 2 1/2 to 8 1/2 years for filing fraudulent federal tax refunds.
- Your agenda 5/23/12
-
Gang trial under way
The prosecution in the trial of five alleged gang members began making its case Monday as it introduced into evidence a pistol linked to the shooting of two men.
-
Local committee launches effort to establish mental/drug court
Colquitt County is one of nine areas of the state that will receive some of the $10 million which Gov. Nathan Deal has targeted for justice system reform. And here, it will likely go to help establish a mental/drug court.
-
Stabbing victim in good condition
A Colquitt County man was injured in a Saturday night stabbing at his residence, county sheriff’s deputies reported.
-
DAR bestows top honor on Holland
-
Teen says gunmen took $500 from him
A teenager at the Colquitt County Jail told Moultrie police he was robbed at gunpoint in the early hours of Saturday morning.
-
Doerun students visit Washington, D.C.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Judge denies motions
Serial Stabbings Suspect Guilty of Murder
Facebook Shares Continue Negative Slide
8 Hurt in Oklahoma Shooting After NBA Playoff
US Airways: Diverted Flight Has 'Landed Safely'
A Few Odd Business Sparks but Europe Gloomy
Revived Focus on Regulation After JPMorgan Loss
Gerard Butler: the Good, the Bad and the Cannes
At Least 25 Dead in India Train Collision
Raw Video: Private Rocket Blasts Off
Boy to Rescuers: 'Do You Have a Plan?'
Doctors and Devotees Debate Barefoot Running
Blacks Seek to Find Their Own Missing
Houston Museum Unveils $85 Million Dinosaur Hall
Chicago Police: 90 Arrested in NATO Protests
Ex-Rutgers Student Gets 30 Days in Webcam Case
Obama Sees Inspiration in Joplin Graduates
Raw Video: Man Saved After Niagara Falls Plunge
NATO: Afghan Exit 'Irreversible'
Catholic Groups Sue Over Contraception Mandate
4 Arrested After Man's Beating at Dodger Stadium
