Posted on December 17, 2018
Despite recent rainfall, the lowering of Lake Balboa is still on track for dredging to begin by Jan. 1. Lakes ecology and fisheries manager Brad Meredith shared that information at the Dec. 5, Hot Springs Village Property Owners’ Association lakes meeting, adding that water is being let out of the lake at a rate of approximately two inches per day.
As of the date of the meeting, Balboa was down 32 inches, well on its way to the planned 4-foot drawdown level.
Meredith said he plans to have three machines available to do mechanical dredging once the workers and machines can get into the lake bed. The requests for proposals (RFP) process for hydraulic dredging has begun. Meredith said there are some sites that will be under water during the drawdown, so, if available, the selected contractor may begin the work before the lake has refilled. He plans to close the valves on Feb. 28 so the lake can begin refilling.
The lakes department has also been working on clearing dam faces of small trees and other vegetation. Meredith said the public works department may also burn the faces of the dams, thus removing even more unwanted growth. Then, in spring the faces may be sprayed to help control further growth.
Gabions that lead into all Village lakes will be cleaned, as well. Clean gabions better trap material that would otherwise end up flowing into a lake. Overall, Meredith said all lakes are full and looking good.
Chair Bill Goodwin said he wants the fisheries subcommittee to meet again soon to plan work-party dates to gather and place more fish habitat. He added that approximately 1.5 million fry were added to lakes last year and he is hopefull for a good survival rate going forward.
Goodwin also wants to explore the possibility of using one or two golf course ponds to raise our own fry rather than having to buy them from a vendor. This is especially important, Goodwin said, seeing as Arkansas Game and Fish Commission no longer stocks Village lakes.
Other comments made at the meeting included a concern about the work previously done at the Lake Estrella spillway, the likelihood of HSV Anglers Club donating another $1,500 for fish habitat and workers, and a concern about doing a better job of getting lake information out to the public.
The committee will meet again at 8:30 a.m. Jan. 9 at Coronado Community Center.
Source: HSV Voice
