Lake Owasso Chain Carp Management

The Owasso Chain of Lakes: Reducing the carp population to improve water quality.

In all of the main lakes, carp numbers have significantly declined due to the management activities. In 2018, carp biomass in Owasso, Wabasso, and Bennett was at or below the 100 pound/acre threshold. Through continued control efforts in 2019-21, we could further reduce carp biomass levels well below the threshold (see graphs below). In addition, we have not detected any young carp in the main lakes, suggesting that the barrier installation has limited carp spawning in connected ponds and wetlands.
In 2022, we plan to conduct intensive netting around the barriers. In the next few years, we will be assessing water quality trends to determine if there is improvement related to the reduction in the carp population.