Written by Jill Temples
SMT Writer
Wappapello Lake - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Wappapello Lake has announced the annual duck blind drawing. Registration will be on August 17th at 1 p.m. in the multi-purpose room of the Bill Emerson Memorial Visitor Center. Anyone wishing to place a floating blind on the lake needs to be signed up before 1 p.m. Those not signed up by then will be required to wait until the drawing and placement process has concluded.
Upon conclusion of the placement process, late arrivals will be allowed to register and choose a location for their blind. Blinds will be provided by the applicant and must meet the "Minimum Standards for Floating Duck Blinds.” The registration fee for a duck blind is $15 and applicants must bring cash, in the exact amount, or a personal check or money order made payable to "FAO, USACE, St. Louis District."
Hunters may obtain an application form and a copy of the "Minimum Standards for Floating Duck Blinds” at the Wappapello Lake Project Office. Permitted duck blinds may be placed on the lake after Labor Day. Anyone interested in registering a duck blind and cannot attend the drawing, may contact the Natural Resources Management Department after the drawing at (573) 222-8562, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A gradual lake draw-down begins on December 15, 2013, and continues until the lake reaches conservation pool in accordance with the Wappapello Lake Water Control Plan. Remember that all blinds affected by low water levels must be relocated to areas that will not become dry during the draw-down.
For applications or further information on the event, stop by or contact the Wappapello Lake Project Office at (573) 222-8562. E-mail inquiries may be directed to Jeremy.W.Jackson@usace.army.mil.
