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Snakes in ski lake
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by Wally on May 24, 2002
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I am a member of a co-op about to build a water ski lake about 75 miles North of Houston, Texas. We are building within 300 feet and about 60 feet above Lake Livingston in a heavily wooded area. Several of our members have expressed an almost irrational fear that the confined ski lake will become a "snake haven". Can someone help me provide arguments to counter this fear?
So far, I have argued that since the lake will be treated with food coloring to prevent the growth of algae, we interrupt the natural food chain that might otherwise attract reptiles. Also, although we have plenty of brown water snakes in Lake Livingston, they are unlikely to make the climb up a 60 foot bank just to get to our little ski lake. Finally, there is nothing about a small (13 acre) ski lake that would give rise to a concentration of snakes per square foot greater than we already deal with in Lake Livingston.
Are my arguments sound? Does anyone know of any facts or studies that would help allay these fears?
Many thanks!
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RE: Snakes in ski lake
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by Naja_oxiana on May 24, 2002
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Hi Wally,
While I can't speak too much on your arguments one way or the other, I will say that if you keep the debris to a minimum--I mean keep bits of wod, tin and whatever wlse picked up, you should be fine in keeping the snake populatin minimal.
Cheers
Roger
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RE: Snakes in ski lake
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by Charper on May 24, 2002
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"Snake haven" is a bit strong. Any ecosystem can only hold as many animals as the food source will sustain. The area you describe is definitely in the range of the Western cottonmouth, however don't expect for water skiers to fall into "nests of cottonmouths" and other such hogwash. That story is just pure bunk and belongs in the category of folklore. Cottonmouths DON'T clump together like the movie "Lonesome Dove" says they do.
No doubt you will ultimately see snakes alongs the edges of the waterway, mainly non-venomous water snake species and yes, the occasional cottonmouth - maybe. But if the lake is used frequently for water skiing, fishing etc., the human population tends to have a much more detrimental effect on the wildlife than vice versa. If you got one snakebite in 10 years off of that lake, I'd be surprised. And deaths from cottonmouths? I'd say you could look forward to zero. Ever.
Chris Harper
Webmaster & EMS Snakebite Instructor
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