North Carolina’s Lake Norman Announces Deployment of Osprey Platforms and Artificial Rock Reefs
OutdoorHub 04.13.12
Local and state media are invited to join the North Carolina Wildlife Federation staff and volunteers Tuesday on Lake Norman as we erect osprey platforms and deploy artificial rock reeks for fish habitat. There will be opportunities to interview project leaders, film live ospreys, and witness the creation of artificial reefs for fish habitat.
Tuesday, April 17th at 10am – Contact Chris North with questions at 704-332-5696 (704-453-4053 cell on site number) or chris@ncwf.org. Meet at the Stutt’s Marina 571 Stutts Road, Mooresville, NC 28117. Please rsvp so we can make sure we have enough boats for reporters.
Will we be viewing the rock fish habitat deployment, erection of an osprey nesting platform in the water via a barge and viewing of nesting ospreys on existing platforms already erected.
Osprey poles and platforms provide a safe place for young to be raised and help prevent the raptors from nesting near power lines and lake markers. Seven new locations have been chosen for 2012 deployment adding to the dozens of already established poles and platforms.
The addition of structure on the bottom of the lake is widely used and supported by fisheries managers and is an effective means of habitat enhancement in reservoir systems, ecological systems created for the purpose of hydroelectric power with fish and wildlife and user benefits. Structure enhancement increases the ecological viability of these systems: the project to deploy structure increases food, cover and spawning opportunities thereby providing a win-win situation for members of the public that have a vested interest in improving lake habitat and fishing opportunities.
This project will entail a barge with track and hoe system to deploy hundreds of tons of rock at sites chosen to create deep underwater fish habitat.
