Chronicle Editorial

Community effort needed to ensure lake’s future

     Last Thursday’s meeting with DNR officials regarding potential improvements to Beeds Lake provided few answers to an issue that’s become rather troublesome in recent years.

     Our local lake is a beautiful community destination. It provides picturesque scenery to the citizens of Franklin County and others throughout the region. It’s spillway is unlike anything else in north Iowa, and it’s definitely a point of pride for everyone who calls this area home.

     However, Beeds Lake has been plagued by many issues over the years. Watershed runoff has brought pollutants into the lake, algae blooms have exploded and e. coli outbreaks have become all too common. Swim warnings are frequent, and the beach was closed for upwards of 50 percent of weekends this summer, according to information provided at the meeting.

     It’s extremely unfortunate this great attraction has slipped. The issue is multifaceted and there doesn’t seem to be one cure-all solution. The information provided by DNR officials painted a rather bleak future for Beeds Lake, and the solutions seem very costly and out of reach. Officials stressed continuing agriculture best management practices, dredging the lake and updating rural septic tanks. Carp and geese populations also contribute to pollution, and officials also suggested completely moving the beach east of the causeway.

     It seems a concerted community effort is needed if the improvements have an outside shot at becoming a reality. The lake’s reputation throughout the area is rather two-faced – people utilize the park as a great campsite, but many snicker at the thought of actually getting in the lake. It’s common knowledge amongst locals to never swim there, and that’s an unfortunate truism that should be changed. More communication between the state officials and local entities should be ramped up in the coming months to ensure progress and stimulate ideas that could help.

     The lake’s watershed seems to be its biggest enemy. Agriculture practices have evolved tremendously since the body of water was first constructed, and this has been a great detriment to the lake’s health. Chemicals, manure and other farm runoff has led to overwhelming phosphorus levels, in turn leading to the massive algal growth. DNR officials stated that utilizing the best agricultural practices around the lake’s watershed would aid the water quality, and that’s certainly a great spot to start.

     Prioritizing the issues afflicting Beeds Lake is of the utmost importance if the community wishes to move forward with the improvements. The DNR said they wouldn’t even consider funding a dredging project without seeing a 50-year benefit from the investment. Right now, officials say that’s not possible. The Franklin County community must work together in this endeavor if it wants the DNR to give it an outside shot at assistance.

     Beeds Lake State Park is beautiful, but it can be better. Local volunteer groups like Friends of Beeds Lake have donated a lot of time and effort towards making it Franklin’s County’s prime camping and recreational destination. However, more community involvement is needed from everyone if we hope to see improvement. Better communication, more organization and a willingness to change will aid in boosting its reputation, image and quality. If we fail to do so, the future of Beeds Lake will become as murky as its waters.

Hampton Chronicle

9 Second Street NW
Hampton, IA 50441
Phone: 641-456-2585
Fax: 1-800-340-0805
Email: news@midamericapub.com

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