Okoboji Protective Association

Fall 2008

From the OPA President

Dear Membership,

This summer got off to a slow start with a rainy and cold June. By July we returned to the more normal Okoboji summer. October is bringing more rain that might bring the lake level back within a few inches of the Lower Gar dam level. Heavy rains during the spring and early summer in Eastern Iowa have awakened us to thinking how well are we prepared for a "heavy rain event".

Many of us thought that the US Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Natural Resources, and Dickinson County had implemented all of the corps' recommendations for preventing a reoccurrence of the damage caused by the 1993 flood. We have now discovered the 230th Avenue county road has not received the total fix recommended by the Corps of Engineers. The OPA is working with the Dickinson County Board of Supervisors to be sure the natural flow of water is returned to the roadway just above the Lower Gar dam. (See separate article for details.)

West Okoboji water appeared to be clearer this summer than I can recall in recent years. Maybe it is due to the increased use of Low Impact Development practices or reduced use of phosphorus by lawn care companies, or less rain; whatever the cause, it is a good sign. We need to keep working on improving our water quality so our lakes represent the kind of natural resource we can all appreciate.

John Wills, Clean Water Alliance Coordinator, has provided his top three recommendations for actions we can take to improve our water quality:

1. Use Low Impact Development and erosion control practices on new and old construction.
2. Use ecology friendly locations for new construction.
3. Do not use fertilizers when they are not required.

The Clean Water Alliance has recently updated their website www.cleanwateralliance.net

In late June, the Iowa Great Lakes Association announced they had reached a major agreement with major pork producers to provide a four-mile buffer around the Iowa Great Lakes. The purpose is to protect the lakes from large livestock feeding operations. Although the agreement is with major producers, it is expected smaller livestock producers will honor the agreement. The IGLA website is www.iagreatlakes.com

This summer the OPA purchased three lighted hazard buoys to supplement the lighted hazard buoys purchased by the DNR last summer. The three new buoys were installed at Pillsbury and Gull Point (2) to increase the lighting reliability. The OPA also had twelve "see-through" literature boxes installed at the major boat ramps on the Iowa Great Lakes. The new boxes not only hold the water safety brochure, but also now have room for the Aquatic Invasive Species brochure. A major benefit of the new literature boxes is that they keep the brochures drier resulting in fewer brochures being damaged during rainstorms.

The Okoboji Protective Association has 430 dues paying members. There are many more residents and visitors around our lakes who care deeply about water quality and safety and have not joined the OPA. Please encourage your friends and neighbors to become OPA members. An OPA membership would be a great Christmas gift.

The days are becoming cooler and the lake water temperature has fallen from 80 to 55 degrees since early July. Sometime in mid-December is the average date for the lakes to freeze. The average date for the ice to disappear is in early April. Now is the time to take care of those projects you put off during the summer. There are many changes made in the lakes area over the winter. The OPA is monitoring those activities that affect our concerns.

Phil Petersen
President