Posted on July 28, 2016
Potential dredging projects were on the books at the Big Bear Municipal Water District special meeting July 20.
The district is being considered for a 10-year dredging permit that would expedite many of those projects if approved, said Mike Stephenson, MWD general manager.
“I think I’m going to get it. I’m nervous about not, because it’s a big permit, it’s huge for the district, but I feel confident,” Stephenson said about the permit.
The low lake levels would allow for the MWD to do dry dredging as opposed to hydraulic dredging, which is significantly more expensive.
“We would have the ability under this permit to do hydraulic work, but it’s certainly not as cost-effective as doing dry work,” Stephenson said. “Dry dredging is simple. It’s tractor, scoop, and drive away.”
These dredging projects would improve water quality, navigation for recreation and the status of weeds in the lake, Stephenson said.
“We want dredging, we want the lake to be in better shape,” Stephenson said. “When you dredge, I don’t have to harvest that area or treat weeds in that area for 10 years. It has value, it has water quality value, so if the district can put something together that helps people, then that’s what we’re going to do.”
Source: Big Bear Grizzly
