Posted on April 7, 2019
The interior areas of Hickory Grove Park near Colo has been closed because of a project to restore the lake’s park, officials with Story County Conservation announced Wednesday.
The east game area is also closed. The closures affect the beach and swimming area, concessions, the open shelter houses on the north side of the lake, Oriole Ridge Lodge, and all trails. Visitors are asked to obey all signs and barricades during the construction.
The $3.4 million restoration project will address issues that have put the lake on the Iowa Department of Natural Resource’s imparied waters list in recent years.
The project was the result of an assessment of the watershed that began in 2008. That assessment showed several problems, including high bacteria levels and soil sedimentation in the lake.
Mike Cox, director of Story County Conservation, said in an earlier story that soil erosion from the watershed was being deposited in the lake, which was having a negative effect on water quality.
The project will include draining and dredging the lake. Once that is done, shoreline work will happen, along with creating additional fishing jetties, improving boat launches and creating a new parking area near the main fishing dock on the lake’s north side.
Barring any significant delays, the plan is to have the lake filled back up by spring 2020.
More improvements, such as upgrades to the parke’s road, building cabins and expanding campgrounds, are planned for the future.
During this year’s work, camping will be allowed at both Breezy Bay (main campground) and the primitive campground from Thursday, May 23 through Tuesday, Sept. 3. Campers are restricted to the immediate campground areas. Snow Bunting Lodge will also be available for rent during thsoe dates with cctivities being restricted to the immediate area around the lodge, according to a news release from Story County Conservation.
Source: amestrib.com
