Gov. Reynolds visits Lake Geode

Gov. Kim Reynolds visited Lake Geode last week to see the new upgrades made to the lake after its restoration process.

Park rangers took Reynolds around the park, a trip on the lake to see all renovation projects.

Chad Dolan, a fisheries biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), said that Reynolds was pleased with everything she saw at the park.

The restoration process included watershed improvement, lake restoration, and numerous campground renovation projects.

Watershed improvements included 98 best management practices (BMP) to reduce pollution. Over $1 million in EPA Section 319 funds were invested.

The goal of the watershed project was to reduce sediment delivery to the lake by 2,499 tons per year and reduce phosphorus delivery by 6,531 pounds per year.

A local watershed coordinator led the efforts on public and private land to improve the water quality.

The park exceeded both phosphorous and sediment reduction goals, reducing sediment delivery by 5,337 tons per year and phosphorus delivery by 7,083 pounds per year. Nitrogen delivery was reduced by 8,956 pounds per year.

Local landowners contributed more than $383,000 in private funds while installing BMPs on their land.

Lake and fishery improvements included investments in lake infrastructure. Repairs were made to the spillway, and a new gate valve structure was put in place within the outlet tower.

Fish habitat was added throughout the lake to promote a healthy aquatic ecosystem. During Gov. Reynolds' visit, they began adding fish back into the lake, including bluegill and redear sunfish.

With these lake restoration practices, the hope is to improve water clarity, decrease algae blooms, improve ecosystems for wildlife, reduce shoreline erosion, and create recreational opportunities for visitors to the park.

Lake Geodes park and campgrounds also saw an upgrade.

Ninety percent of the $1.12 million costs went to park infrastructure. Upgrades included the construction of a booster pump building, electrical improvements, and total renovation. In 2015, the wastewater system at the park was upgraded.

Parks Bureau made renovations to the campground in the summer of 2018, updating the bathrooms, shower houses, and electric sites to allow more RVs and campers.

There are now 90 total sites at the campground; 14 full hookup sites were added, the bathhouse and shower house were both upgraded, and the wastewater treatment system was upgraded.

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