Gravel is About to be Dumped on a Popular Arkansas Lake

One Arkansas lake is about to get hit with a ton of gravel from the sky beginning on Veteran's Day through Wednesday of next week.

AGFC Helicopter Gravel Drop

According to KARK-TV and the 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 ongoing since its enormous drawdown in September 2023.

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

Placing gravel into the lakebed will help fish spawn better in the silty soft bottom that has decreased over time affecting the habitat where fish spawn and lay their eggs. Once the gravel is dropped in the habitat workers will return to spread gravel by hand creating a natural spawning bed.

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

The helicopter gravel drop 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 the AFGC website.