Willard winter kill?

[PBH]

Lundman, I'm not trying to get into an arguement. I'm sure that plants and algae contribute to the oxygen levels in lakes. But the most significant source for oxygen is from fresh water entering lakes. The lakes on the Boulder Mtn, and Uintahs are covered with snow and ice for 5 months, sometimes more. Of those lakes, the ones that winterkill are those that do not have a good supply of water entering the lakes in those winter months. Yes, many of those lakes are shallow, and have much less stored oxygen than a deeper lake. But, there are many lakes that are extremely shallow, but have good springs feeding the lake year round that do not winterkill. Either way, Willard should not have these problems. It is at a low enough elevation that it will not stay covered with ice for very long, and it also has plenty of water flowing into it.


A good example is shown by the managment plan on Boulder Mountain. Most lakes on the Boulder are closed to fishing during the winter months. Why? Because Brook trout are extremely vulnerable to fishermen during the winter months. Why? Because of low oxygen levels. Brook trout will find springs, which carry oxygen into the lakes, and pack themselves into these areas. McGath has a nice underwater spring, which the Brook trout congregate by the thousands on. Talk about easy fishing for monster Brook trout! What you don't find, is fish in the weeds. The weeds, like you already mentioned, don't produce enough oxygen to do the fish any good.
[signature]