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What's Next ?
We were very hopeful the City would be able to assist with funding an analysis of the lake sediment before winter. Many of you may remember, in 2007 the ILWA characterized the sediment at four inlets: Huntington Avenue, Nelson Place, Shore Drive and Sherburne Avenue. Just these four inlets alone had over 10,000 cubic yards of sediment built up ... a huge amount! But that number pales in comparison to what's in the entire lake from years and years of accumulation.
There is little argument that much of the sediment build up has attributed to our issues at Indian Lake. However the cost of permitting and removal is enormous.
During our first meeting with the City's Indian Lake Task Force, there was much discussion about amount and cost for a dredging project. The ILWA approached ESS Group, an environmental company we have worked with in the past, asking for a proposal to update our 2007 sediment report and incorporate the entire lake. This work is not only instrumental to determine how much sediment there is but also what's in the sediment (important when determining where it will go when removed) and identify phosphorus 'hot spots', in other words, areas that are the most problematic as far as undesirable nutrients. If nothing else, we need to make sure any plan incorporates those key problem areas.
Due to the very short window to get this in before winter, we approached the City for help but they were not able to help us move this forward at this time.
We will need to look at grants and other fundraising options over the winter in hopes that we can move this forward as soon as the weather breaks in the spring.
Discussions will continue with the City on potential improvements to the Shore Drive inlet to reduce the sediment and nutrients entering at that point and ways to improve water flow.
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