Macrophyte distribution was evaluated using a point intercept survey method using a 300
m grid in June of 2005 (Madsen 1999). Points were surveyed throughout the main body of the
reservoir and along the main channel of the Pearl River as far north as Low Head Dam. Figure 1
shows the original boundary of the reservoir and the portion of the Pearl River that was sampled,
but there are areas of the original lake that were not accessible by boat in June 2005. These are
areas that have silted in since the reservoir opened in 1966, and were not sampled. Also, for the
purposes of recording sampling data, the reservoir was divided into four main sections: Upper
Reservoir, Middle Reservoir, Lower Reservoir, and Pelahatchie Bay.