Bulrush bed-fellows

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This article first appeared in INHF's Winter 2006 magazine.

           

Steve Anderson

The huge bulrush bed that INHF is helping to protect is a haven for numerous species. No one can predict the exact impact if these bulrushes were destroyed, but we can make educated guesses based on the effects of their presence here and absence elsewhere:

• According to Iowa DNR fisheries staff, this bulrush bed provides essential breeding grounds for muskie, northern pike and other sport fish—helping sustain fishing’s annual $2.3 million impact on this lake alone.

• According to a 1989 study by Michael Bryan, six fish species were found only along undeveloped shorelines like this, never along developed shorelines. He also found more juveniles of numerous fish species along undeveloped shorelines, indicating the critical nursery role of sites like this.

• Gary Phillips conducted a 1996 aquatic plant study of the Iowa Great Lakes, comparing his data to a 1900 study. Though all lakes had lost aquatic plant species, Gary found that Big Spirit Lake had the smallest loss (13%) compared to West Lake Okoboji with the largest loss (62%).  Other researchers believe this bulrush bed contains the most diverse aquatic plant community in the lake system.

• These aquatic plants provide a feast for waterfowl and songbirds. In a recent survey of the Hale’s Slough and Yarnes properties, Ed Thelen and Lee A. Schoenewe spotted 12 of the 37 bird species used to evaluate potential Important Bird Areas.

In sum, losing this bulrush bed threatens the ecology of Big Spirit Lake as it is known today. As Neil Heiser of Iowa DNR’s northwest regional office says, “Once it’s developed, it’s gone forever—but we’ve been given a one-time opportunity to protect it for the public good.”

Learn more about INHF's involvement with protecting the bulrush bed in the article Big Spirit, Big Project or at the Anglers Bay homepage.

For more information, e-mail Cathy Engstrom, Director of Communications, or call (515) 288-1846.