Cheyenne Bottoms Field Manager Karl Grover says for the second straight year it has been a frustrating summer for the staff at the wetlands northeast of Great Bend. The staff has a list of things they would like to be doing but the rains in April and May have kept the workers from doing most of the list items.
The rains are keeping the staff from killing cattail weeds and looking for Phragmites reeds because they can’t get around the marsh with all the water.
Karl Grover Audio
The Phragmites and cattail worry stems from the fact that if you are unable to contain and limit these weeds, the plants can take over the wetlands.
Grover says they already have the herbicide chemical to kill the cattail and manage the Phragmites but they are still working on finding a certified aerial applicator that is licensed to apply herbicide over water.
Karl Grover Audio
Grover says the reason for such a high amount of Phragmites in Pool 2 at Cheyenne Bottoms is because of the water runoff that is coming from Blood Creek and Deception Creek.
Last fall, wetlands staff mowed and burned five patches of weeds in the area of Pool 4 to clear 250 acres of hunting land.
The hot and windy weather helps dry the land out making it easier for the staff to take care of the weeds.