JACKSON ROTARY LAKE RENOVATION PLANNED

JACKSON -- Renovation of the heavily-silted and algae-covered Jackson Rotary Lake will begin next spring if the Missouri Department of Conservation funds a project being prepared by the city.

The project also would make the lake more accessible to the handicapped and improve fish habitat, said Ward 2 Alderman David Reiminger, chairman of the Rotary Lake Improvement Committee.

Reiminger said the work would include draining and deepening of the lake, restocking with young fish, and construction of an access ramp and fishing dock to make the lake accessible to the handicapped.

The Rotary Lake was constructed in Jackson's main city park in the mid-1970s. During the past seven years a combination of sediment entering the lake from the north side of West Independence, bank erosion along the edge of the lake, and a large population of ducks and Canada geese have decreased its depth and accelerated the growth of filamentous algae. That has caused unpleasant odors and fish kills during warm weather.

The lake is not easily accessible by the handicapped as required by the Americans With Disabilities Act.

To resolve both problems, the city will work jointly with the Missouri Department of Conservation to renovate the lake and construct the handicapped facilities.

Funding for the project would come from a Missouri Department of Conservation Community Assistance Program Grant and the city of Jackson. Reiminger said the city plans to submit the grant application to the Conservation Department later this month or in early December.

"We need to get the application in as soon as possible so they can include it in their 1994 construction budget," he explained. "We should know by the first of the year if the project is in their budget."

If the application is approved, Reiminger said work will begin in May or June with draining of the lake. Said Reiminger: "All of the fish now in the Rotary Lake will be moved to Litz Park or other lakes in the area. We want to keep the fish loss at a minimum."

Brad Pobst, fisheries management specialist with the Conservation Department's regional office at Cape Girardeau, said the lake would be and all the fish removed, and the lake bed would be allowed to dry during the summer months.

The nutrient-rich sediments that are contributing to the growth of the algae would be removed, which would increase the depth of the lake to its original depth. The lake was originally 8-10 feet deep. It's still that deep near the dam, but because of the buildup of sediment, soundings taken last month show the lake is now only 4-5 feet deep in the middle. At its upper end, near West Independence, the sonar sounding indicates the lake is only 2-3 feet deep.

Pobst said the shallow depth allows more sunlight to reach the nutrient-rich sediment, which causes the growth of the algae. After the sediment is removed down to the clay floor of the lake bed, Reiminger said the depth of the middle of the lake would increase to 7-8 feet. That would decrease the amount of sunlight reaching the lake bed.

While the lake is drained structures would be placed on the bottom that would serve as fish habitat when it is filled.

While the lake bed work progresses, a winding, asphalt access ramp would be built from the lake parking lot to a wooden fishing dock that would extend into the lake.

Reiminger said the dock would be built on the southwest corner of the lake, near the dam. "The dock would be in the shape of a "T." The top of the "T" would be 20 feet long and 8 feet wide," he said.

Work would also be done along the edge of the lake to stop the bank erosion that is contributing to the increase of sediment.

After the work is completed, the lake would be allowed to refill. "If it refills fast enough, it could be restocked with fish sometime next fall," (1994) said Reminger. "The lake will be closed to all fishing for two to three years to allow the young fish to grow to maturity. We're going to place signs around the lake asking that people not put large fish in the lake while it is closed because it would upset the food chain. The larger fish would just eat the smaller fish."

Pobst has suggested that all of the ducks be removed from the lake since their droppings contribute significantly to the growth of the algae. But Reiminger said there may be a compromise on that point since many people enjoy feeding and watching the ducks.

Reiminger pointed out the Giant Canada geese that have made their home in the park may be difficult to evict since they migrated to the city from the county.

Other committee members are Steve Wilson, a member of the Jackson Park Board and an employee of the Missouri Department of Conservation, and Ward 1 Alderman David Hitt, a former member of the Jackson Park Board.