The Iowa Department of Natural Resources released its Lake Restoration Program 2021 Report and 2022 Plan this month. In the executive summary of the publication it states, “Iowans value water and desire safe healthy lakes that provide a full complement of aesthetic, ecological and recreational benefits. A recent 2019 water-based recreational use survey by Iowa State University found that 65% of Iowans visit our lakes multiple times each year and spend $1.1 billion annually in their pursuit of outdoor lake recreation.”
Additionally, the report states that “Visitations at lakes that have completed watershed and lake improvement efforts continue to exceed the state average and their own pre-restoration visitation levels. People are also willing to drive farther for lakes with better water quality and more amenities.”
There are 64 lakes that are currently part of the restoration project. Fourteen are in the planning stages. This includes Five Island Lake. An extensive planning grant was put together by the coordinated effort of the Iowa DNR and the Palo Alto County Watershed Coordinator who spent a year determining lake needs. This document has been submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency for approval. If granted, the goal for the lake is to start a watershed project in the near future.
Twenty-nine of the lakes that have been part of the restoration effort have completed projects that then removed them from the impaired lakes list. Another 21 are in the progress stage meaning that their plans were approved and are being implemented.
Funding for these projects come from the Lake Restoration Program. The report reported that “Funding of approximately $8.6 million per year from FY2007 through FY2022 has enabled the DNR to improve many Iowa lakes.”
According to the Report, lake restoration project goals consist of the following:
· Ensure significant improvement in water clarity, safety, and quality of Iowa lakes
· Provide for a sustainable, healthy, functioning lake system
· Ensure a cost effective, positive return on investment for the citizens of Iowa
· Ensure local community commitment to lake and watershed protection
Five Island Lake is still on Iowa’s impaired water list but with the help of the Iowa DNR and its restoration program it has made progress and is in the planning stage. The cooperative work of the DNR and local entities is promising in working toward achievable goals for the future health and clarity of the lake.
Previous question’s answer: According to a presentation by Dr. Coffey following the north portion of the lake dredging, “Tests of the physical properties that were run show sand, silt and clay levels that dictate a Silt Loam textural classification.”
Question: How tall was the glacier block of ice that melted and helped form Five Island Lake?
Written by Diane Weiland
コメント