Game and Fish: pumps and water control largely functional; one agency pump offline and vandalized pumps repaired

Doug Schoenrock, director of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, briefed the committee on the agency’s water infrastructure across wildlife management areas (WMAs). He said the commission manages 108 moist soil units — 63 that rely on rainfall and 45 that are flooded by pumps — and 39 Green Tree Reservoirs (GTRs, flooded timber areas used for waterfowl hunting). Schoenrock reported that most units are currently flooded and that the agency’s operational schedules and acreage are posted on its website.

Schoenrock said only one commission‑operated pump is currently nonfunctional; that unit is on a new moist soil area and remains offline because a gas connection and permit have not yet been completed. He separately described vandalism at Ed Gordon Point—parts were stolen from electrically driven pumps and later returned by the manufacturer, and the agency returned those pumps to service in early December, while some adjacent private pumps remain offline.

Members asked about Hurricane Lake and Lake Conway. Schoenrock said Hurricane Lake’s flooding depends on White River flow and that a water control structure completed in early 2025 corrected previous elevation problems. He said construction on Lake Conway’s dam is underway and that a public meeting to discuss the project will be held at Mayflower High School later this month.

Lawmakers also asked about maintenance and valve operation at smaller lakes (for example, Lake Frierson); Schoenrock offered to provide specific maintenance records to members. The commission said it will follow up with meeting materials and operation lists online and work with the Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training or other agencies as needed to provide local training and enrollment lists.