Low water levels at Smith Lake have not only impacted the lifestyles of people who find recreation on its waters, but have affected the wildlife which rely on the lake for shelter and sustenance.
Monica McCravy of the Alabama Forestry Commission in Cullman County said trees around the lake are suffering from this summer’s minimal rainfall as much as trees in other areas of the county.
“You’d think right there by the lake they’d be okay,” she said. “But a lot of them are not...The lake bed is pretty solid so a lot of [water] doesn’t seep out.”
McCravy said she has received numerous calls from area residents concerned about trees that have changed colors and are losing leaves.
“That’s a tree survival thing because [trees] have to feed those leaves,” she said. “If they let them go they don’t have to feed them...I’m not looking for a pretty fall at all.”
McCravy said although she expects many trees will not survive the drought, she is recommending that trees suspected to be dead be left alone for now since they may recover this spring, depending on how much rain the area receives throughout the winter.
Wildlife in and around Smith Lake is also suffering from this year’s drought and spring freeze. The extreme conditions have caused a lack of vegetation which many animals need for food.
“The drought in and of itself has hurt a lot of forage,” said Ron Eakes, a wildlife biologist for District 1 of the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. “A lot of early fall foods are limited.”
Eakes said animals with a small home range have been particularly impacted.
“They’re going to have a tougher year to get through,” he said. “Depending on what the prey numbers are doing, then the predator numbers kind of follow along behind.”
Phil Edema, a fisheries biologist for the Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, said the drought has had almost no affect on fish at Smith Lake because of their adaptability.
“Mother Nature has played into their hands pretty well,” he said. “As long as they have adequate water they’re going to be fine.”
Top News
Habitat takes hit
Lake wildlife suffers in drought
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Smith Farms Music Fest picks up in second night (WITH PHOTO GALLERY)
The opening night of the first ever Smith Farms Music Festival may have attracted a slightly smaller than anticipated crowd Thursday, but event organizer Rodger Turner said those who came out definitely got their money’s worth.
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Chamber President Kirk Mancer resigns
Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce President Kirk Mancer has resigned to take a similar position with the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce.
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Look for a hot Memorial Day weekend
Hot.
That's the only word needed to describe the weather for the Memorial Day weekend. -
Arrests, incident reports for Thursday, May 24
Here is a look at the incidents that were reported to the Cullman Police Department for Thursday:
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County commission move to clean up storm-damaged waterways
The Cullman County Commission will go forward in a partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to rehabilitate several streams throughout the county clogged by vegetative debris created by last April’s storms.
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Case of Baileyton man accused of stabbing wife to death sent to grand jury
A grand jury will now hear the case of a Baileyton man accused of murdering his wife in March.
- Arrests, incident reports for Wednesday, May 23
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Authorities investigating counterfeit money
Local authorities and the U.S. Secret Service are on the lookout for two people who passed a $100 counterfeit bill at Steele Orchard Wednesday.
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Cullman Christian School celebrates inaugural graduation ceremony (WITH PHOTO GALLERIES)
To call the past year a hard one for Cullman Christian School would be an understatement. The school’s original facility at East Side Baptist Church was destroyed in the April 27, 2011 tornadoes, and plans to build a new campus are stalled due to a zoning dispute with the City of Cullman.
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The Times' Morning Update for Friday, May 25
Good morning, readers, this is what's happening in your county today with events for the coming holiday weekend:
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