The San Jacinto River
Authority (SJRA) has recently partnered
with Seven Coves Bass Club, Texas Parks and
Wildlife, and Lewisville Aquatic Ecosystem
Research Facility (LAERF) in an attempt to
restore native plant habitats to Lake Conroe.
Seven Coves Bass Club constructed the aquatic
plant culture boxes at the Lake Conroe Dam based
on specifications and propagules provide by
LAERF. The cultures include floating leaf,
emergent, and submersed species of aquatic
plants. The goal of this eco-friendly
project is to provide a sustainable nursery for
use in Lake Conroe.
In the video, Lynde Dodd,
a research scientist with LAERF, explains the
importance of installing native plants in Lake
Conroe. Dodd states, "The plants will provide a
habitat that helps to reduce erosion problems
that occur with the absence of vegetation." The
native plants also "provide a nitch that
otherwise might be open for plants such as
hydrilla, which is an invasive plant that we
don't want in Lake Conroe." In addition, the
vegetation creates a nursery habitat or a haven
for small fish to hide away from larger
predators.
“Veg out” with us for a
couple of minutes as Dodd walks us through the
nursery and explains the importance of each
aquatic plant.
Located at the Lake Conroe Dam, seven
miles west of the City of Conroe, the Lake Conroe Division’s
primary function is the operation and maintenance of the dam,
spillway structure, and service outlet at Lake Conroe. In
addition, this division handles inspection and enforcement
functions related to on-site sewage systems around Lake Conroe.
To maintain the safety of Lake Conroe for navigation and
recreation, and to manage the construction of permanent
structures on the lake, the Lake Conroe Division also
administers a permit program for residential docks, piers,
marinas, commercial operations, and marine sanitation
facilities. Lake Conroe was completed by the SJRA in 1973
as a water supply reservoir through a joint venture with the
City of Houston, which owns two-thirds of the water rights in
the reservoir.
If you have questions or need assistance
with an application, please call us at 936-588-1111
Meagan Hannah works in the SJRA’s Lake Conroe Division
office maintaining the licensing database and working
with customers who need to apply for new licenses or
renew old ones.
