By Michael Homer Jr., Special to the Reporter-News

Increases in water levels are essential for restoring fish habitat and bringing local fisheries back to thriving after a period of prolonged drought. During droughts, fish can lose important habitat, which can render them unable to escape predators, find food or locate nursery habitat.

Ultimately, prolonged droughts and loss of habitat can lead to declines in fish populations and reduce availability of fish for fishermen to catch.

Proctor Lake in Comanche County is no stranger to the drought-flood cycles that influence its water level like other Big Country reservoirs. The reservoir has a history of severe water level fluctuations that have resulted in poor fish habitat quality and have influenced the fish populations there.

Full story here: