Carter Lake in Jeopardy?

[mcarch]

I say leave it alone and let nature take control. If its meant to dry up, no matter how much money we pump into it, its meant to be.

[Brad]

I say leave it alone and let nature take control. If its meant to dry up, no matter how much money we pump into it, its meant to be.

It never dried up until they build all the Canals.

[icejammer]

I say the state of Iowa needs to be 90% responsible for funding this fixer-upper lake...

Why? The vast majority of the lake lies within Nebraska, ya know.

[thenewguy]

I say the state of Iowa needs to be 90% responsible for funding this fixer-upper lake...

Why? The vast majority of the lake lies within Nebraska, ya know.

and the jet run-off is from a Nebraska airport

[yelley]

you will also find dead people

I came here to say exactly that :P

[Brad]

Advocates find a way to maintain Carter Lake

http://www.omaha.com/index.php?u_page=2 ... d=10383177

By thinking outside the box, supporters of Carter Lake will be able to keep the lake full.

Frustrated that Nebraska wouldn't put up the money needed to match $1 million pledged by Iowa, supporters have found another way to get at some of the Iowa money.

Unused piping that runs from near the river to near the lake will constitute Nebraska's match for part — $400,000 — of the Iowa money. The Iowa money then will pay for a well and pump to tap groundwater that can be sent through the piping to the lake.

Keeping a constant, full level is one of the keys to the lake's health. The lake has been damaged by pollutants, low water levels and harmful algae.

Just two months ago, the lake's average depth was 6 feet, about 1½ feet lower than it should be.

Recent heavy rains, however, have allowed the lake to be at its highest level in years. It currently averages 8 feet. Indeed, since June an outflow pump has been used at times to keep the lake from getting too full.

Hopes are that the well will be built early next year, said Jeanne Eibes, president of the Carter Lake Preservation Society.

The lake could be replenished by the new well during times of drought.

[icejammer]

Public welcome at Carter Lake project meeting

There’s something stirring in the waters of Carter Lake.

A large, interagency and intercity project is under way and, of course, rumors are flying. Brad Richardson, lake project manager for the city of Carter Lake, said information and updates will be available at the Dec. 8 meeting between officials and engineers involved in the project.

The Carter Lake Water Quality Management Project is a joint effort between the city of Carter Lake, the city of Omaha, the Metropolitan Area Planning Agency, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. . . .

The public meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at Carter Lake City Hall.

[Bob from Omaha]

Public welcome at Carter Lake project meeting

There’s something stirring in the waters of Carter Lake.

A large, interagency and intercity project is under way and, of course, rumors are flying. Brad Richardson, lake project manager for the city of Carter Lake, said information and updates will be available at the Dec. 8 meeting between officials and engineers involved in the project.

The Carter Lake Water Quality Management Project is a joint effort between the city of Carter Lake, the city of Omaha, the Metropolitan Area Planning Agency, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. . . .

The public meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at Carter Lake City Hall.

You want out of the box? Fill the thing in and expand Eppley already

[icejammer]

CLEAR meeting canceled

. . . The meeting, according to lake project coordinator Brad Richardson, has been canceled because of the weather and will be rescheduled in January. . . .

[mrdwhsr]

CLEAR meeting canceled

. . . The meeting, according to lake project coordinator Brad Richardson, has been canceled because of the weather and will be rescheduled in January. . . .

When warm and sunny days are expected?

[Brad]

Its inside at Carter Lake City Hall.

[icejammer]

C.L. residents hear details for lake at Tuesday meeting

The cost is $6 million, but the benefit is a better lake.

Consultants from Tetra Tech, an environmental firm, informed residents of Carter Lake about its analysis and an implementation plan for improving the water quality of the lake at a public meeting that filled City Hall Tuesday evening.

The CLEAR project is an interagency and intercity project between Carter Lake, Omaha, the Metropolitan Area Planning Agency, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. . . .

As of now, the CLEAR project is $400,000 shy of funds secured for its $6 million project. Funding resources included the agencies and grants. Richardson’s own position is funded through grants.

According to consultants Sara Hanson and John Holz, the primary concern with the lake is phosphorous, the main culprit resulting in the lake’s algae problem. Thirty percent of the lake’s phosphorous comes from the watershed and 70 percent from internal load, or what the lake creates itself. . . .

Construction could begin in the fall, along with the fish renovation. Restocking will include bluegill, large mouth bass and channel catfish.

A separate lake project is under way to address water depth. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is constructing a well that will pump fresh water into the lake when needed, according to Kevin Seevers of the West Pottawattamie Soil and Water Conservation Office.

Richardson will work with Carter Lake residents to address watershed quality, including rain gardens, rain barrels, lawn fertilizer and pet waste.

More information will be available soon on the project Web site http://www.carterlakewaterquality.com. . . .

[Brad]

So the well is already a done deal? I am glad they are cleaning up the lake. Since it sits at the airports front door, its vital to making a first impression.

[almighty_tuna]

So the well is already a done deal? I am glad they are cleaning up the lake. Since it sits at the airports front door, its vital to making a first impression.

It would be nice if this were completed in time for the Omaha Triathlon. It's kind of a hard sell when swimmers have to swim 1500M in a dirty, phosphorus-laden lake...

[Brad]

So the well is already a done deal? I am glad they are cleaning up the lake. Since it sits at the airports front door, its vital to making a first impression.

It would be nice if this were completed in time for the Omaha Triathlon. It's kind of a hard sell when swimmers have to swim 1500M in a dirty, phosphorus-laden lake...

Its OK. We use to ski in there all the time. Probably still would if anyone of us still had a boat.

[icejammer]

Lake restoration continues with construction, education

The restoration of Carter Lake continues, as plans for new construction are in place; and those involved in the project ask that citizens do their part.

Brad Richardson, lake project coordinator, said this summer’s restoration work includes the installation of offshore breakwaters, shoreline armoring and dredging of the lake, along with the renovation of a stormwater pond in Levi Carter Park. . . .

In addition to those improvements, a campaign to encourage citizens to do their part also is under way.

A “Plant Management from Lawn to Lake” seminar is scheduled for Saturday, March 26, with two key elements on how to keep lake water quality high to be discussed: Aquatic plant management and lawn care for lake residents. . .

The “Plant Management from Lawn to Lake” seminar is scheduled for 9 to 11 a.m. on March 26 at Carter Lake City Hall, 950 Locust St. The event is free and open to the public.

For more information or to reserve a spot call Richardson at (712) 847-0542. . . .

For more information on the project, go online to the website at carterlakewaterquality.com.

[Coyote]

Carter Lake clarity improving

At one of his measuring spots, Richardson said clarity was 7 feet, up from 3 feet from just weeks before. A lake resident reported seeing a boat anchor 18 feet down, Richardson said. “You can see golf balls ... at the bottom of the lake. The work that they’ve done is just unbelievable,” he said. “I’ve lived here so long and never seen it this good.”

[Brad]

Third time is a Charm...

I have noticed the last three times I have been to the airport that there appears to be a dredging machine in carter lake.

[Brad]

There's a large machine driving around in Carter Lake right now harvesting seaweed

[skinzfan23]

There's a large machine driving around in Carter Lake right now harvesting seaweed

They need to do that in the Leahy mall downtown.....it looks good right now trash-wise but the seaweed is getting out of control.

[Coyote]

There's a large machine driving around in Carter Lake right now harvesting seaweed

They need to do that in the Leahy mall downtown.....it looks good right now trash-wise but the seaweed is getting out of control.

I was going to mention that the other day. I was in the mall and found it fithly disgusting.

[Brad]

I don't think this machine would fit in the GLM....

Carter Lake they said its because the water is so clean now. There was an article about it in the OWH the other day. Did they ever stock fish in the GLM? Wonder if that would help?

[skinzfan23]

I am not sure they stocked fish in GLM (I remember reading an article stating that they weren't going to) but there are definitely quite a few fish in the the lagoon. Most of them are small, but there are a ton.

[RNcyanide]

It could be from people getting rid of unwanted pets.

[Linkin5]

I am not sure they stocked fish in GLM (I remember reading an article stating that they weren't going to) but there are definitely quite a few fish in the the lagoon. Most of them are small, but there are a ton.

I had responded this question I think about a year ago, but lakes can have fish in them without being stocked. A lot of the time it is from birds eating fish and still having eggs on them, then traveling to another lake and dispersing those eggs.

[skinzfan23]

Yeah I am pretty sure that happened in this case. After they drained it and refilled it, there were not any fish in there but there are now. I know that the city did not stock the lake. The geese and other birds that frequent the area, no doubt carried the eggs.