Lake Darling Restoration Advisory Council |
At the February 27th public meeting parks and fisheries staff gave updates of what is going on at the lake and the spillway. There was also an overview of the Community Based Planning process to be used for the Lake Darling Restoration. Also, most importantly, Dr. John Downing from Iowa State University gave his Diagnostic Feasibility Study results.
ISU Study Findings: Water quality goals for Iowa lakes were defined in 2006 by State Legislation (HF2782) making it mandatory that the delivery of phosphorus and sediment from the watershed be controlled before lake restoration begins. Water quality problems at Lake Darling are largely related to watershed loading of sediments and nutrients. Two types of restoration alternatives were thus considered: watershed and in-lake. All alternatives were evaluated for their potential to provide the greatest long-term water quality improvement at the most reasonable cost. A comprehensive program including watershed and in-lake activities is recommended. The recommendation is based on goals identified in the Iowa DNR Lakes Restoration Program Water Quality.
Targets: to reduce in lake phosphorus to 34 ppb and increase water clarity to 1.4 m secchi depth. As an intermediate goal, TMDL Water Quality Targets (72ppb phosphorus and 0.7 m secchi depth) are also considered.
Because water quality problems at Lake Darling are largely watershed driven, as much as is practical, implementing watershed restoration activities prior to executing in-lake restoration activities is advised. The key watershed restoration activities are: permanent idling of cropland, installation of stream buffer strips, and the creation of upper watershed impoundments. Reductions in phosphorus by 66% are possible through implementing these watershed practices in varying arrangements or combinations.
Key in-lake restoration activities designed to restore biological functioning to Lake Darling are: sediment detention basin construction on the two main arms of the lake, dredging of 190 ac-ft (234,802 m3) of excess lake sediments from these arms, and fisheries restoration.
By reducing watershed inputs and restoring the biological functioning in the lake, the long-term success of in-lake restoration is greatly increased thereby satisfying legislation requiring restoration work be sustained at least 50 years. The total estimated cost of this restoration project is $7 million.
The second official Darling Lake Restoration public meeting was held May 1st at the Brighton Community Center. Approximately 30 community members and DNR staff were in attendance. Participants discussed and voted on priority concerns and issues dealing with in-lake restoration based on their goals and vision for the Lake. Community attendees were also encouraged to sign up for the Lake Restoration Advisory Council thus establishing the group that would move forward with their goals by addressing the aforementioned concerns with the help of a Technical Advisory Team (TAT).
May 29th was the first Lake Darling Lake Restoration Advisory Council Meeting. Fay Vittetoe was voted head of the Council and Harold Frakes was voted the secretary. This meeting established the purpose of the group- to lead the restoration planning process based on locally identified needs-and the goal of the group-to submit, along with extensive help from the TAT, the Lake Restoration Management Plan for DNR funding. The group also created a vision statement: “Lake Darling is a sustainable, diversified, outdoor experience accessible to all citizens.” The Council then pared down the previous meeting’s list of Lake concerns and issues to satisfy in-lake funding requirements. By the next meeting, the Council was assigned to have 3-4 main goals for Lake Darling.
The main goal of this second Council meeting was for each Council member and the TAT to present their main restoration goals to the group for discussion. Issues not covered by in-lake funding were also discussed and noted but were passed along to the appropriate group or person. The goals presented were then combined and condensed for further discussion at the next meeting.
This Council meeting took place in the new Lodge at Lake Darling. The Council reviewed the combined goals from the previous meeting; this was primarily led by the TAT to obtain more in-depth scientific and technical insight on each goal the Council provided and to change, add, or subtract any goals or parts of goals not relevant to restoration. The Council then approved the newly revised list of goals and objectives for the TAT to use for the composition of the first draft of the Management Plan. Also discussed in this meeting was the tentative media plan and possible outreach opportunities for the Council.
The tentative agenda for this meeting is to review the TAT’s first draft of the Management Plan and discuss the cost/benefits of and alternatives to the Management Plan with the guidance and approval of the Council. Before the next meeting, the TAT will revise any issues or desired changes to the Plan for a second draft.
August 27th is the Grand Opening of the Lake Darling geo-thermal four-seasons lodge and beach house. Representatives from the Des Moines office will be there and the public is encouraged to attend and enjoy light refreshments from 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
The TAT will present the second draft to the Council for possible revisions and approval.
This will be the Council’s final discussion and revision of the Plan.
The Council will present the final Management Plan to public and sends it to the DNR’s Lake Restoration head for final approval and acquisition of funds.
Lake Darling draining and promiscuous fishing.