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"Weather slowed Lake Darling Restoration activities in 2009," DNR Fisheries Biologist Chad Dolan said. "Extended dry weather was rare in 2009 and is needed for the lake bottom to harden so that construction within the lake may happen."
The lake was first drained in November 2008, and subsequently, has refilled and drained numerous times since its initial draw down.
Weather has allowed the completed construction of five ponds and one terrace as well as six road culvert risers and one road culvert extension within park boundaries. In the watershed, final plans have been completed for an erosion control pond involving four landowners. The purpose of each is to slow the transport of water and trap sediment and nutrients before run-off water reaches the Lake Darling basin Dolan said.
Reduced sediment and nutrient inputs into Lake Darling will result in increased water clarity and decreased algal blooms. The growth and condition of fish such as largemouth bass inhabiting the lake may also improve as they'll be able to see and capture prey more successfully.
The ponds themselves provide fishing opportunities and are already stocked with bluegills. In spring 2010 the ponds will be stocked with channel catfish and largemouth bass. All of the ponds and riser structures are visible from the park roads and are easily accessible.
Dolan, along with the DNR Fisheries Bureau and Engineering Bureau, has also been working on plans for the construction of a new boat ramp and parking area. The ramp and parking lot will be constructed on the shoreline before the entrance of the existing campground and will replace the current campground boat ramp Dolan said.
Archaeological surveys are being conducted in areas anticipated to be impacted by project construction activities. All archaeological work has been completed with the exception of a single site which has valuable historical significance.
Archaeologists will be exploring this site further to insure they collect as much information as possible regarding past civilizations before restoration work moves forward. The last phase of archaeological work will be completed in November 2009 and lake restoration construction activities are expected to proceed in 2010.
