Refuge staff and Illinois Department of Natural Resources fisheries biologists have been taking advantage of the drawdown on Little Grassy Lake.
A social media post by the Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge reports over the past several weeks 1,800 trees were planted in the lake. Fisheries biologists hope that these trees will grow during the drawdown period and provide additional fish structure when the lake is refilled.
Approximately 1,200 Pin Oak, 100 Overcup Oak, and 500 Cypress trees were planted within various bays of the lake.
Last September, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service began a safety study on the spillway at Little Grassy Lake. After they lowered the lake they announced they were draining it due to safety concerns.
