Lake Manawa Improvements

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icejammer
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Lake Manawa Improvements

Post by icejammer »

Water quality study to examine Manawa
This summer will see the beginning of improvements made in the water quality of Lake Manawa.

First, the United States Geological Service will conduct a study to determine why some lake water is seeping into Indian Creek, and on to the Missouri River, and how that seepage can be reduced. . . .

Reducing seepage into Indian Creek would improve water levels and reduce the lake's reliance on receiving water from Mosquito Creek, officials said at a public meeting Wednesday evening. . . .

When the study is completed later in the summer, it will be included in a much larger study to determine feasible improvements. . . .

A main focus of that study will be to determine dredging potential in the lake. . . .

The ability to dredge the lake is something the Iowa Department of Transportation wants to know. The IDOT has expressed interest in dredging the lake for the sand on the bottom to be used in future highway projects. However, the sand is covered by other materials, not usable for the DOT, which could make dredging tricky.

If dredging were feasible it would reduce the DOT's cost of purchasing needed sand, while helping to deepen the lake. Currently, the average depth of Lake Manawa is just six feet.

"We would like to deepen it three or four feet," McGhee said.

A deeper lake also means more water clarity.

"We want to triple our water clarity," McGhee said.
"Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved."

--William Jennings Bryan
icejammer
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Post by icejammer »

Tetra Tech will sponsor a public meeting on the proposed Lake Manawa dredge project at the Western Historic Trails Center beginning at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Tetra Tech was contracted by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to perform a diagnostic and feasibility study with the overall objective to determine the most effective methods of improving the water quality of the lake.
"Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved."

--William Jennings Bryan
icejammer
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Post by icejammer »

High hopes for Manawa
Environmental officials and Lake Manawa area residents are working to get the lake off an unflattering list.

“Lake Manawa is on Iowa’s impaired waters list, and the reason is that it is not fully supporting its intended use, which is for recreation,” said Danelle Schmielau, project coordinator for the West Pottawattamie Soil and Water Conservation District. . . .

A major reason for Lake Manawa being under-utilized, Schmielau said, is the large amount of sediment and nutrients that flows into the lake with stormwater runoff. That results in growth of unwanted algae which discourages many from boating or fishing. . . .
"Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved."

--William Jennings Bryan
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skinzfan23
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Re: Lake Manawa Improvements

Post by skinzfan23 »

The campground at Lake Manawa is now closed (sounds like it is closed for good with plans for a day-use facility replacing it), dredging for the lake has begun.

Manawa camp project hits snag; lake dredging effort underway
A second phase of the plan, renovating the parks’ campsites, has been under discussion by officials of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources parks division for more than 15 years. Most recently, those discussions centered around creating 51 full-hookup campsites on the park’s north side to replace the 73 campsites – about half of which offered electricity – on the south side of the lake.
The park’s website notes that the existing camping area was closed on Nov. 1, 2015, “until further notice.” Those calling the park currently are greeted by a message stating, “Lake Manawa no longer offers camping facilities.”
Lake Manawa State Park’s park manager, Dan Jacobs, said early plans had called for closing the campground on the south side of the park and building a new campground on the park’s north side that could be reached using the South 11th Street entrance. At one point, the plan called for as many as 100 campsites and up to four cabins in the relocated site, with work to be completed in 2012.
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skinzfan23
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Re: Lake Manawa Improvements

Post by skinzfan23 »

New Lake Manawa playground might be a dream come true
A good portion of the original playground will remain, allowing for a “mix of old and new” in the overall design, Sehn said.

The new section will be placed on the playground’s left side with the Gold Rush Trail leading kids into the play area. Off to one side will be an elephant sitting on a “lake” with little ones able to sit inside and even slide on its trunk.

Nearby, a train structure will be installed to honor the starting point of the Union Pacific Railroad. A short distance away, the Lewis & Clark Trail will take kids on a historic journey with the replica of a boat used by those explorers, located near a bridge to structures from the early days of downtown Council Bluffs.

There will also be plenty of monkey bars, swings, seesaws, rock and rope climbing features and even a tightrope walking feature.

Play By Design staff will now compile a list of needed materials, followed by committee efforts in seeking donated items and funds. The plan is to build it in just six days and be ready for fun next spring, Shields said.
Glad to see the original Dream Playground being updated.
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skinzfan23
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Re: Lake Manawa Improvements

Post by skinzfan23 »

Brought this rendering over from Coyote's post in another CB thread.

Image

Latest is that they anticipate starting construction on May 11th, 2018 and opening it a week or two later.
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Brad
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Re: Lake Manawa Improvements

Post by Brad »

Reynolds signs bill for park fee at Manawa, Waubonsie

https://www.nonpareilonline.com/news/po ... bc57b.html
Jon Leu - Nonpareil wrote:Beginning July 1, non-Iowa residents will pay a $5 entrance fee at Lake Manawa State Park in Council Bluffs and at Waubonsie State Park north of Hamburg.

On Thursday, Gov. Kim Reynolds signed the legislation, which was introduced by Iowa Sen. Dan Dawson, R-Council Bluffs. The three-year trial will end July 1, 2022, unless reauthorized.
Jon Leu - Nonpareil wrote:A nonresident may pay a fee of $40 for an annual pass that grants daily entrance into either Lake Manawa State Park through one year after the date of purchase. Non-Iowa residents can also purchase a second annual pass for use for a different vehicle for $15.
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GrandpaaSmucker
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Re: Lake Manawa Improvements

Post by GrandpaaSmucker »

If the fee does as good a job of helping keep out the riff raff as the fees do in State Parks around Omaha then it might work out pretty nice. If you have one of those houses at lake Manawa this is a godsend. I kind of remember way back in the 70s or 80s when they had a entrance fee at Manawa and the park was deserted for a couple of years until they dropped the entrance fee. I will not be buying a entrance pass for a year or two or maybe never!
EastCB
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Re: Lake Manawa Improvements

Post by EastCB »

GrandpaaSmucker wrote: Thu Jun 27, 2019 3:21 pm If the fee does as good a job of helping keep out the riff raff as the fees do in State Parks around Omaha then it might work out pretty nice. If you have one of those houses at lake Manawa this is a godsend. I kind of remember way back in the 70s or 80s when they had a entrance fee at Manawa and the park was deserted for a couple of years until they dropped the entrance fee. I will not be buying a entrance pass for a year or two or maybe never!
Since you will not be buying a pass, then it will have worked to keep riff raff out. :lol:
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GrandpaaSmucker
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Re: Lake Manawa Improvements

Post by GrandpaaSmucker »

EastCB wrote: Fri Jun 28, 2019 3:55 pm
GrandpaaSmucker wrote: Thu Jun 27, 2019 3:21 pm If the fee does as good a job of helping keep out the riff raff as the fees do in State Parks around Omaha then it might work out pretty nice. If you have one of those houses at lake Manawa this is a godsend. I kind of remember way back in the 70s or 80s when they had a entrance fee at Manawa and the park was deserted for a couple of years until they dropped the entrance fee. I will not be buying a entrance pass for a year or two or maybe never!
Since you will not be buying a pass, then it will have worked to keep riff raff out. :lol:
I'll give you that. They won't miss me one bit :roll: As the owner of Jimmys All American does this lock down of lake Manawa cause you to be concerned that traffic will go down :lafcry:
EastCB
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Re: Lake Manawa Improvements

Post by EastCB »

GrandpaaSmucker wrote: Fri Jun 28, 2019 4:54 pm
EastCB wrote: Fri Jun 28, 2019 3:55 pm
GrandpaaSmucker wrote: Thu Jun 27, 2019 3:21 pm If the fee does as good a job of helping keep out the riff raff as the fees do in State Parks around Omaha then it might work out pretty nice. If you have one of those houses at lake Manawa this is a godsend. I kind of remember way back in the 70s or 80s when they had a entrance fee at Manawa and the park was deserted for a couple of years until they dropped the entrance fee. I will not be buying a entrance pass for a year or two or maybe never!
Since you will not be buying a pass, then it will have worked to keep riff raff out. :lol:
I'll give you that. They won't miss me one bit :roll: As the owner of Jimmys All American does this lock down of lake Manawa cause you to be concerned that traffic will go down :lafcry:
I've already said that I am not the owner. It was a joke. :lol:
ita
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Re: Lake Manawa Improvements

Post by ita »

skinzfan23 wrote: Mon Sep 18, 2017 2:17 pm Brought this rendering over from Coyote's post in another CB thread.

Image

Latest is that they anticipate starting construction on May 11th, 2018 and opening it a week or two later.
It's been a while since this rendering was released, but the project is complete. I have young kids and we were downtown as a took a day off since school is starting soon. Anyway, after lunch, the kids wanted to play at a playground somewhere. We decided to go this playground. It turned out really nice! We were impressed by the size and variety of play areas. A couple day cares were there with a dozen kids each, but it was not crowded at all. I am hoping that the kid's play areas that will be incorporated into the GLM/Riverfront project resembles this project, if not in scope, in the quality and cohesive design of the play area.
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skinzfan23
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Re: Lake Manawa Improvements

Post by skinzfan23 »

State plans to install campground at Lake Manawa
Camping will soon return to Lake Manawa State Park.

Preliminary work has started on a roughly $3.3 million, 41 full-service site campground west of the beach at the park in Council Bluffs, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

“In our busy campgrounds, we’ll have a six-to-eight stall shower complex. In this one we’ll have two, it’ll be a minimal feature because we’re focusing on the experienced camper. We’re looking for 100% reservations,” Coffelt said.

While the amenities are there for visitors with campers, the site will be able to accommodate tents as well. The campground will also feature electronic gates at the entrance for security, Coffelt said.

The campgrounds will be located west of the beach. Construction work will include the removal of existing roadways, parking lots, two shelters and a restroom, according to the DNR. Coffelt said preliminary work, including the removal of some trees and surveys, have been completed. The state has hired Carley Construction LLC of Council Bluffs to undertake the project after its low bid of $3,356,572.75.

The old campground at the 1,529-acre state park was closed in November of 2015 and was reconstructed as a picnic area with a pavilion in 2017, according to the DNR. The 73-site grounds were closed because of the age of the amenities, the layout of the campground, closeness of sites, lack of appropriately sized campsites, cramped roadways which restricted modern vehicle and camper configurations, and age of infrastructure.
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nebugeater
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Re: Lake Manawa Improvements

Post by nebugeater »

skinzfan23 wrote: Mon Aug 31, 2020 9:10 am State plans to install campground at Lake Manawa
Camping will soon return to Lake Manawa State Park.

Preliminary work has started on a roughly $3.3 million, 41 full-service site campground west of the beach at the park in Council Bluffs, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

“In our busy campgrounds, we’ll have a six-to-eight stall shower complex. In this one we’ll have two, it’ll be a minimal feature because we’re focusing on the experienced camper. We’re looking for 100% reservations,” Coffelt said.

While the amenities are there for visitors with campers, the site will be able to accommodate tents as well. The campground will also feature electronic gates at the entrance for security, Coffelt said.

The campgrounds will be located west of the beach. Construction work will include the removal of existing roadways, parking lots, two shelters and a restroom, according to the DNR. Coffelt said preliminary work, including the removal of some trees and surveys, have been completed. The state has hired Carley Construction LLC of Council Bluffs to undertake the project after its low bid of $3,356,572.75.

The old campground at the 1,529-acre state park was closed in November of 2015 and was reconstructed as a picnic area with a pavilion in 2017, according to the DNR. The 73-site grounds were closed because of the age of the amenities, the layout of the campground, closeness of sites, lack of appropriately sized campsites, cramped roadways which restricted modern vehicle and camper configurations, and age of infrastructure.
So does $81,867 per camping spot seem high to anyone else?
For the record  NEBUGEATER does not equal BUGEATER    !!!!!!!
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skinzfan23
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Re: Lake Manawa Improvements

Post by skinzfan23 »

Yes, maybe, but that does include running water and power lines and also demolishing the current shelter and bathroom and constructing the new shower house.
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