[dmtfish]

Originally Posted by MathGeek

You need to realize that the weirs are never completely closed. Even when all of the mechanical gates and flaps are closed, over 10% of the total area coupling the marsh and lake remain open. And the operating procedures for opening the mechanical gates are such that, over most 90 day operating periods, the average coupling between the marsh and lake is at least 40% of the possible total.

So, you may be right that extended closures (90+ days) of all the gates so that only 10% remained open might negatively impact the fish. However, the historical operating data shows that the gates are never all closed for more than a couple weeks at a stretch, and that this only occurs during high salinity periods.

You cannot judge the openings from the boat bay or from the surface gates. There are numerous gates and flaps and slats below water level that allow bait to move back and forth even when the boat bay and surface gates are closed.

Which is why I believe the oyster dredging has more of a detrimental effect on the health and quality of the lake than wier management.