Post by andy on Jan 4, 2010 20:29:45 GMT -6
Thank you to Mr. Antoniou for the timely response. If anyone would like to add to this please do. There will be no bad remarks from anyone.
Andy
Dear Mr. Schachtner,
Thank you for your e-mail regarding the timeline for the proposed Lizard Lake restoration efforts and associated facility upgrades in and around Lizard Lake .
As you most likely are aware, Iowa State University Limnology Laboratory conducted a Diagnostic Feasibility study for Lizard Lake . As part of potential restoration alternatives, ISU presented "shallow lakes management" as an option for improving the lake's water quality, fish population structure and wildlife potential. During 2008 and 2009, IADNR staff has met several times with local partners and stakeholders to discuss shallow lake management options for Lizard Lake . Many stakeholders recognized the benefits of shallow lake management and expressed a preference for that type of management. Other stakeholders, while preferring dredging, realize that high dredging costs and limits of dredging as an effective tool to improve water quality at Lizard Lake make shallow lake management an acceptable alternative. Other stakeholders preferred to continue supporting dredging as the only alternative. Due to relatively strong support from most local constituents, the DNR still plans to pursue a shallow lake management approach at Lizard Lake . At this point we are working under the assumption that continued funding of the Lake Restoration Program will be available to us continue work at our priority lakes. However, any significant decrease in funding could result in the need to adjust our schedule for all our active projects (the picture for this will become clearer over the next few months).
The current timeline for the Lizard Lake Restoration project is as follows: The first phase would involve survey and the design engineering. Before we initiate this aspect of the project, we will need to confirm that we have adequate access downstream for construction and long-term management (ditch cleaning, fish barrier maintenance, etc.).
The goal would be to initiate construction of a water control and fish barrier structure as early fall 2010. This is best-case scenario and is dependant on factors such as contractor availability, funding, and landowner cooperation. A typical drawdown (needed for fish renovation, construction and establishment of vegetation) lasts two growing seasons. Therefore, if we were to initiate construction in fall 2010, Lizard Lake would be dry during all of 2011 and we would slowly start to bring water back mid-summer 2012. Pending adequate rainfall during late summer/fall 2012, the lake could be at full pool. However, if we get an exceptionally wet year during this process and we are unable to renovate the fishery or get an adequate vegetation response, we may have to add another year to the drawdown process.
If you have any further questions, please let me know.
Thank you,
George Antoniou
IDNR, Lake Restoration Program
W: 515-281-8042
C: 515-988-8330
Email Address:
george.antoniou@dnr.iowa.gov
Andy
Dear Mr. Schachtner,
Thank you for your e-mail regarding the timeline for the proposed Lizard Lake restoration efforts and associated facility upgrades in and around Lizard Lake .
As you most likely are aware, Iowa State University Limnology Laboratory conducted a Diagnostic Feasibility study for Lizard Lake . As part of potential restoration alternatives, ISU presented "shallow lakes management" as an option for improving the lake's water quality, fish population structure and wildlife potential. During 2008 and 2009, IADNR staff has met several times with local partners and stakeholders to discuss shallow lake management options for Lizard Lake . Many stakeholders recognized the benefits of shallow lake management and expressed a preference for that type of management. Other stakeholders, while preferring dredging, realize that high dredging costs and limits of dredging as an effective tool to improve water quality at Lizard Lake make shallow lake management an acceptable alternative. Other stakeholders preferred to continue supporting dredging as the only alternative. Due to relatively strong support from most local constituents, the DNR still plans to pursue a shallow lake management approach at Lizard Lake . At this point we are working under the assumption that continued funding of the Lake Restoration Program will be available to us continue work at our priority lakes. However, any significant decrease in funding could result in the need to adjust our schedule for all our active projects (the picture for this will become clearer over the next few months).
The current timeline for the Lizard Lake Restoration project is as follows: The first phase would involve survey and the design engineering. Before we initiate this aspect of the project, we will need to confirm that we have adequate access downstream for construction and long-term management (ditch cleaning, fish barrier maintenance, etc.).
The goal would be to initiate construction of a water control and fish barrier structure as early fall 2010. This is best-case scenario and is dependant on factors such as contractor availability, funding, and landowner cooperation. A typical drawdown (needed for fish renovation, construction and establishment of vegetation) lasts two growing seasons. Therefore, if we were to initiate construction in fall 2010, Lizard Lake would be dry during all of 2011 and we would slowly start to bring water back mid-summer 2012. Pending adequate rainfall during late summer/fall 2012, the lake could be at full pool. However, if we get an exceptionally wet year during this process and we are unable to renovate the fishery or get an adequate vegetation response, we may have to add another year to the drawdown process.
If you have any further questions, please let me know.
Thank you,
George Antoniou
IDNR, Lake Restoration Program
W: 515-281-8042
C: 515-988-8330
Email Address:
george.antoniou@dnr.iowa.gov