Lake Darling Set For Summer-Long Construction Work

Construction at Lake Darling State Park is expected to begin as soon as the ground is dry. This major renovation includes the construction of a new dam and spillway as well as sediment ponds, shoreline armament and fish habitat.

Dredging and beach work will also be completed at this time. Currently, The University of Iowa is conducting archeological investigations at the proposed dam and spillway site to ensure proper cultural resource management.

The design of the new dam and spillway by French-Reneker-Associates includes dam realignment, a concrete pipe principal spillway and two earthen auxiliary spillways. Also, to avoid the poor soil conditions directly under the existing spillway, a portion of the dam will be moved downstream.

“We expect to be ready for dam project bidding this July and for construction to begin this August,” French-Reneker engineer Kent Rice said. Summer construction also includes dredging an expected 300,000 cubic yards of sediment from the southeast and southwest ends of the lake.

“Because the majority of material targeted to be removed is vegetated, hydraulic dredging is not an option and the lake bottom must be dry to begin this part of construction,” DNR engineer Heath Delzell said. “Also, using scrapers and bulldozers is generally much more economical than hydraulic dredging.”

Also at this time, 21 sediment ponds will be built and eight road culverts will have extensions installed. Shoreline riprap will also be installed and rubble and other recycled waste from the old spillway will be used to create fish habitat within the lake as well as the beach area will be seeded and the sand portion will be relocated to a higher elevation.

“The dam construction and lake restoration is a big and exciting project,” Delzell said. “We just hope for a dry year that will let us accomplish much of the construction this summer and fall.”

The projected completion date of the entire project is fall 2010.

Very interesting. Sounds like there are a few changes in the works.

Good info Shannon. Thanks for sharing.

I can't wait for that place to be done and full of new dumb bass too.

This is great news, so the whole lake is gonna be like 30' deep now right?? So when I build a house on Amy's dad's land across the road, I can catch the walleye they are going to stock n there...

Hope they get it right this time! Be great to have BVD, Darling, Big Hollow, Wapello and others again!