The community showcase held at the Shores on September 8 was put together by the city to inform the public about various local organizations and businesses. The Five Island Lake Association was a participant. An information sheet let viewers know what has been achieved within the last two years by the protective lake organization. For anyone who missed the event, the following is a summary of FILA’s work.
· FILA was a partner in the Shallow Water Grant for Palo Alto County. When awarded FILA provided input for hiring a watershed coordinator and made a monetary contribution to the project. The coordinator attended FILA meetings and asked the group to provide a list of projects they could accomplish within the scope of the Environmental Protection Agency grant request.
· FILA sponsored the watershed coordinator’s presentation about rain gardens to The Shores Five Island Lake Association’s workshop for shoreline landowners.
· In order to make people aware of FILA, the group agreed to design and sell logo t-shirts and sweatshirts to the public.
· In mid-2020, FILA began submitting a bi-weekly column focused on Five Island Lake that is published in the Emmetsburg Reporter.
· In 2020 FILA began providing firewood for sale at both the east and west campsites.
· Since August, 2020 FILA has had a social media presence. It features Facebook, blogs and information about what the association is doing. Here are the addresses:
Website – https://fiveislandlake.wixsite.com/fila
Facebook – Five Island Lake Association FILA
· Reached out to the Blackhawk Lake Protective Association to ask about their success with lake restoration. The Association initiated a water quality project in 2007. The result of the work is a 30-Year Watershed Management Plan that they are now using to restore the lake’s health. In December, 2020 Blackhawk Lake received Iowa’s Outstanding Watershed Award. Their advice is very helpful to FILA.
· Submitted a 12-project plan to the Watershed Coordinator for inclusion in the EPA grant.
· Developed a plan in the spring of this year to identify hazards in the lake’s north bay. Due to the low water levels boulders needed to be identified for boaters to be safe.
· In June FILA invited the public to the first Clean Water Festival. Held in Soper Park it attracted over 100 people despite the downpour of rain. Festival goers were happy about the rain and they were curious about what FILA was doing.
FILA’S Mission: FILA is dedicated to lake improvements through conservation and preservation of its natural resource. This will be achieved through education, water quality projects, membership solicitation and building public awareness.
Previous question’s answer: The width of Five Island Lake is one-half mile
Question: When was the dredging completed for the South Bay of the lake?
Submitted by Diane Weiland
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