Marble and West Hottes Lake Open House

By Kerri on May 16, 2014 in Blog

The Spirit Lake Protective Association, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and members of the Dickinson County Clean Water Alliance are inviting the public to a short presentation and open house on Tuesday, May 20th from 6 – 8 pm at Mini-Wakan State Park Shelter House located on the north shore of Big Spirit Lake. The open house will be a chance for anyone interested to discuss the upcoming restoration project on Marble and West Hottes Lakes.

INHF has had a hand in protecting several properties in the area to ensure that these shallow lakes are protected. Water quality and habitat in these two lakes has degraded over time providing reduced benefit to fish and wildlife. Marble and West Hottes lakes are extremely important to the health of Big Spirit Lake and the entire Iowa Great Lakes chain. When healthy, they are an important nursery area for fish, provide wildlife habitat, and filter nearly 20% of the water entering Big Spirit Lake.

Survey and design phases of the project are complete, with construction scheduled to begin this summer. The meeting will provide an opportunity to view progress and specifics of the plan and to learn more about shallow lake and wetland management, its benefits for water quality, plants, fish, animals, and public use. The renovation plan includes a drawdown which will stimulate plant growth, eliminate common carp, and compact bottom sediments.