Gravel is being dumped on a popular Arkansas lake

An Arkansas lake is about to be hit with a ton of gravel from the sky from Veteran’s Day through Wednesday of next week.

AGFC Helicopter Gravel Drop

According to KARK-TV and that Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, helicopters plan to drop over 60,000 pounds of gravel into parts of Lake Conway for spawning habitats. This coincides with the lake bed restoration project that has been going on since the huge drop in September 2023.

If the conditions are right, this could mean an even bigger drop for spawn improvements. AGFC officials say 300 bags filled with 3,000 pounds of gravel have already been loaded and ready to drop to the lakebed.

Placing gravel on the lake bottom will help fish spawn better in the silty soft bottom that has subsided over time, affecting the habitat where the fish spawn and lay their eggs. Once the gravel is lost in the habitat, workers will return to spread the gravel by hand and create a natural spawning bed.

AGCF officials dropped by helicopter was the fastest way to get the gravel to the different parts of the lake without having to build a temporary road to deliver more loads by truck.

The helicopter pad is part of the redevelopment project on Lake Conway, which was originally built in 1948. The renovation project is expected to take four more years to complete the upgrades and restoration.

For more on the latest habitat projects, please visit AFGC website.