
depth. Propagation by seeding was successful in deeper water PEM parent ie 
soil was soft enough to allow penetration of the initial roots an en =e nough 
to furnish anchorage -- a rather critical requirement. At the oe a e ae 
the buoyant seedling leaves of watershield were observed tending Cae eas ee ants 
that had insufficient anchorage. Sago pondweed (Potamogeton pectinatus)was unsucs~ 
cessful on the Refuge and though it survived on the Kentucky Reservoir ee 
impoundment, did not grow thriftily. Of the marsh plants, Swamp ge igen 
readily propagated by live-stem planting and produced luxurious growth that fruited 
heavily. 
Protection of marsh and aquatic vegetation from depredations by rough fish 
needs immediate consideration in sub-impoundments that are subjected to overflow 
from the reservoir. Population studies in shallow areas on the Wheeler impound- 
ments have shown that fish totalled 188 to 831 pounds per acre of which rough . 
fish comprised 73% to 85% (Tarawell, 1941). Fish control necessitates the building 
of outlet structures enabling complete drainage. Dewatering should be done during 
the rainy season when there is prospect of early reflooding. Withdrawing water 
from *permanent® impoundments during the growing season may not only cause a set- 
back to marsh and aquatic growths but, if protracted enough may also do harm by 
enabling the establishment of coppice, such as buttonbush. If dewatering is not 
possible, commercial fishing may help reduce rough fish populations. The benefi- 
cial role of commercial fishing on marsh and aquatic habitat is illustrated in 
nearby Reelfoot Lake where it has given practical protection to waterfowl habitat 
for years. 
Seasonal Dewatered Units 
In diked-off pool units operated by TVA, water is drawn off during the summer 
for malaria control and allowed to return during fall and winter. Under conditions 
such as these, the Tennessee Division of Fish and Game (Smith, 1948), the Tennessee 
National Wildlife Refuge, and cooperative farmers associations working with TVA 
have planted agricultural crops, part of which have been left in the field for 
waterfowl. Such units, when reflooded, attract a greater variety of ducks than 
do unflooded crop lands. Corn, soybeans, dwarfed grain sorghums, and buckwheat 
are readily taken by waterfowl when flooded. 
Besides cultivated crops, native vegetation can be of considerable waterfowl 
value in these seasonally drained units. Particularly useful are water=-tolerant 
oaks (Quercus spp.), and herbaceous plants, such as wild millet, rice cutgrass, 
squarestem spikerush, and the smartweeds. 
Unfortunately, weed species also thrive in dewatered units and, unless curbed, 
crowd out the useful plants. Therefore, for success in such areas, control of 
undesirable species is a primary need. In scattered growth, spraying willow foliage 
with .5% 2,4-D during the time of maximum foliage yields over 95% control and does 
not harm rice cutgrass or wild millet. To prevent willow stumps from sprouting, 
painting or spraying with a 30% 2,l-~D during the growing season has given over 
95% control. These operations often allow desirable vegetation, such as wild 
millet and smartweeds, to spread and replace the willows. Rosemallow (Hibiscus 
militaris) also can be controlled by a July and August spraying of 2,4=D.  Button= 
bush can be eliminated or severely curtailed by a late August to September spraying 
