Big Creek State Lake was developed as part of the
Saylorville Project to protect Polk City, Iowa, from floods. While primarily a
flood control project, the resulting lake and surrounding areas provide
recreation for visitors of all ages and interests. The focal point of the
3,550-acre complex is the lake.
Currently the numbers of game fish and pan fish are
decreasing in Big Creek due to the overpopulation of the gizzard shad, a fish
which was accidentally introduced into the lake several years ago. The gizzard
shad reproduces very quickly in small bodies of water and out-competes game fish
for food. It is not uncommon for adult gizzard eight inches long and larger to
compromise 60-80 percent of the total fish in fertile bodies of water (Weather).
The DNR announced in April 2001, that they planned to drain
the reservoir beginning August 1, 2001, netting and transporting as many pan and
game fish as possible. The remaining fish were to be poisoned. After local
outcry, the DNR postponed this process for five years in an attempt to find an
alternative solution. They're stocking the reservoir with predatory fish in
hopes for success in removing the gizzard shad.
Big Creek is a primary recreational area for many students at North Polk High
School. If the DNR follows through with their plan to drain the lake, the
students will be unable to fish, swim, boat, enjoy the bike trails, etc. Many of
the students currently have jobs which are dependent on the revenue brought in
by lake activities. It would be in the best interest of the community and our
students to find an alternate solution to draining the lake.
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