Vegetation

[hunter]

I was wondering about getting some duck vegetation. I am currently working for the DU chapter in my hometown and we are working on getting some vegetation in some of the water in the area. The only problem is we need to have vegetation that we can grow in about 3 feet of water. Is there anything we can get that will grow in this situation? I brought it up at a meeting and they said it was going to be impossible but I thought that I have heard of something on the message boards once before that it was possible. Any information would be a great help.

Thanks

[Rick Frisch]

I don't know of any, but I am waiting anybodies input on the subject. I am thinking terms of a food source. Does wild rice or celery grow in sloughs? I have always heard that you need moving water. I would like to find out for sure.

Thanks,

[Eric Larsgaard]

This is a great subject. I am interested to. Anyone with strong knowledge on this subject?

[Thall101]

Some things that I can think off the bat is sago pond weed and Deep water duck potato. Wildlife Nurseries out of Wisconsion is your best bet. They have catalog with some great information about all kind of natural food resources that can legally and easily be planted for attracting waterfowl there number is 920-231-3780 and I would highly recommend them to anybody that want to create a better feeding situation for migrating waterfowl to call them and request a catalog.

[Stephen Schwartz]

we have some duck potatoes and celery in our slough. the water will get from just a few inches to around 3-4 ' deep. Of course all the good stuff grows best in the more shallow areas. if you can drain it, it would open up a lot of opportunity for a wide range of veg.

A lot of veg does good, if you can keep water off of it at the right time, too much too soon will damage it. (i.e. jap. millet)

We have 12+ different types of 'sunken veg' in our slough that mallards and teal love!!! There's a certain type that grows down there, and there may be different variations of it, but it has a seed that is in a green casing with a mucus membrane around it. You take the whole thing, and squeeze it out and there is a seed inside the size of a peanut. Not sure what it is but the mallards eat it up!

Good luck

[Ryan Kleinschmidt]

Does wild rice or celery grow in sloughs? I have always heard that you need moving water.


Yes they do. We have wild rice, sago pond weed and fresh water shrimp in our 25 acre slough. No moving water what so ever. Water level varries from 1' to 6' in depth. The dryer years are the best on our pond. The vegitation is more accessable and the ducks can't get enough. Now if we could just get the fathead minnows out of the pond we would be set. My father made a huge mistake 10 years ago and let the bait shop in their and the last 3-5 years we have paid the price for it. Water quality is done and breeding waterfowl are down due to what I believe is a low scud count. Those little invertebrates are critical to waterfowl production and water quality.

[Stubble_Hunter]

commander,
sent you a PM

[Michael Weiss]

Wild Celery, Vallisneria americana, is an excellent aquatic that is found mostly in riverine ecosystems. Yes, it will grow in 3' of water. Canvasbacks will change their migratory routes to find it...it is that important to them.

Coontail is another aquatic that will establish in much greater depths. A lake here in my hometown has coontail blooms 25' in depth!! Other species to consider that would meet your needs: American water weed (Elodea canadensis), long-leaf pondweed (Potamogeton nodosus), the list goes on. If you want more info on any of the above or for more suggestions, pm me.

Each plant species has the ability to attract a certain species type of waterfowl as well. Wigeon LOVE water weed.........gadies LOVE coontail!!!

Hope this helps.