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Okoboji Protective Association

Box 242Okoboji, Iowa 51355sadfbjh mjkm

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDOkoboji, IA 51355

Permit No. 242

O.P.A. NEWSLETTERVol. 30 No. 1 Spring/Summer 2016

“The OPA is dedicated to improving and enhancing the water quality and ecological health of Lake West Okoboji and the Iowa Great Lakes Watershed.”

Inside this Issue• President’s Message by John H. Wills• Boz Scaggs to Headline Lakes Festival by Greg Drees• Projects Improve Water Quality on West Lake Okoboji by John H. Wills • Water Level Fluctuations by Mike Hawkins• Iowa Lakeside Lab Report by Dr. Michael Lannoo and Dr. Rochelle Stiles• Lower Gar Lake Water Quality Project by Chris LaRue• Summer Programs Sponsored by Friends of Lakeside Lab by Jane Shuttleworth• Marble/Hottes Lake Watershed Improvement Update by Chris LaRue• Looking at Responsible Land Management by Steve Weisman• Iowa Great Lakes Sanitation District Update by Steve Anderson• Exploring Nature at the Dickinson County Nature Center by Kiley Roth• Lakeside Lab: Something for Everyone by Jane Shuttleworth• Native Landscaping on our Urban Lands by Derek Namanny• Let the Good Work Continue by Jim Sholly• Grab the Golf Clubs and Join the Fun By Steve Weisman• In Remembrance

OKOBOJI PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION

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President’s MessageBy John H. WillsOPA President

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Friends,

Welcome to spring and back to Okoboji. It seems that it has been a long winter, and we missed everyone who traveled away during the cold months. Today, as I look out the window, I see blue sky and white puffy clouds. The end of the week sounds like it will bring 80 degrees. I can almost feel the warmth of summer and the return of so many great friends. It is Okoboji coming back to life once again, as it does every season and it feels amazing. These lakes truly do make you want to come home don’t they?

The winter, as all winters seem to be, was marred by problems with such topics as curly leaf pondweed on East Okoboji, rafting in Millers Bay and zebra mussels in all our lakes. It was also a winter to be marked with something to look forward to in the Prairie Lakes Conference on August 11-12 followed by the Okoboji Blue Water Festival on August 13. Greg Drees, Vice-President of the OPA, stepped up and raised money, organized groups to man booths, and booked the legendary Boz Scaggs for a wonderful and educational event.

The entire day will be a festive one with families learning all about water and enjoying water-based activities. It will be capped off with what we hope to be a record attendance on Saturday night for the evening concert in Preservation Plaza.

The Okoboji Protective Association Annual Meeting will be held in Preservation Plaza prior to the concert on August 13, so mark your calendars now so you don’t miss this. I look at the annual meeting as the board of the OPA showing the members what we have showcased during the year. If every one of our members were to bring one guest to the Annual Meeting we would have a record attendance at the meeting as well.

On April 30th, the OPA Board of Directors decided that we should start thinking about Strategic Planning. We should start thinking about what is the purpose of the OPA. Please stay tuned for questions and thoughts on that in the future. This year will be a great year for the OPA, and I anticipate some exciting things to happen within our organization.

The OPA has been a leader for years in protecting our property, protecting water quality and educating citizens and visitors to these lakes that we love. I am certain our 108-year-old organization will continue to lead the way in protecting our lakes. Thank you for being a member in our association. You make the OPA stronger, and together we will continue the legacy of protecting Okoboji!

Please feel free to contact me anytime to discuss your concerns and thoughts in regards to the OPA, Okoboji or anything else you might want to discuss.

Sincerely,

John H. WillsPresident, OPA


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Boz Scaggs to Headline Lakes FestivalBy Greg Drees

A celebratory clean water event in the Iowa Great Lakes this summer will culminate with a prestigious musical act on stage. Boz Scaggs, the legendary singer/songwriter/guitarist with the soulful voice whose career has spanned more than four decades, will headline the Okoboji Blue Water Festival on August 13 in Preservation Plaza at the Arnolds Park Amusement Park.

The festival will be a daylong celebration to raise public awareness of water quality issues in the Iowa Great Lakes and across the state. Clean water is the theme of the gala. It’s all about protecting and enhancing the water quality of our lakes, rivers and wetlands.

The festival will feature a diversity of activities in the green space during the afternoon, concluding with the concert that evening.

Preservation Plaza will be a hub of activity in the afternoon with 30 water quality exhibitors, plenty of fun-filled and clean water-themed activities for kids, a distinguished panel of speakers under the big tent, fishing clinics put on by three area pro guides, all culminating with the great Boz Scaggs on stage that night.

Sponsors for the festival came from diverse sources. We owe deep gratitude to our three key Signature sponsors: the Iowa Great Lakes Association, Okoboji Realty and the Okoboji Protective Association.

In addition, Dickinson County, its municipalities, lake protective associations, businesses and individuals also came together to offer financial support for the event.

The festival is a partnership with Historic Arnolds Park, Inc. and is free to the public.


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Projects Improve Water Quality on West Lake OkobojiBy John H. WillsClean Water Alliance Coordinator

The Iowa Great Lakes Clean Water Project and the Dickinson Clean Water Alliance have been working hard to protect our lakes and the watersheds that feed them. In the last few years, a great deal of work has been done in two locations on West Okoboji. The two areas that have had a lot of work done are Okoboji View Golf Course and Center Lake.

First, the Okoboji View Golf Course project has protected a large area of the West side of West Okoboji. Since the project’s completion, it is easy to see the protections that have been accomplished, and the proof is in the water going into the lake. With the restoration of 21 acres of wetlands and native prairie grass surrounding the golf course and the improvement of a wetland on the golf course itself, rain events have produced less runoff that reaches Doc’s Cove and West Okoboji. If you remember, Docs Cove has flooded very badly in years past, but since the restoration of the wetlands and prairie, these flood events have not happened. In addition, over 300 tons of sediment have been prevented from reaching the lake because of these restorations.

On Center Lake, 14 Low Impact Development (LID) practices have been built in the City of Spirit Lake, near the hospital. Those LID practices have stopped 72 pounds of Phosphorous from reaching Center Lake each year. In addition, carp barriers have been built on the southern two wetlands of Center Lake, preventing carp from moving into those wetlands to spawn. If they cannot get into those wetlands, then they either do not spawn, or the young carp are quickly eaten by predator fish in the main lake. I have enclosed a picture (above right) of the fish barrier at work, keeping carp out of the wetland.

This summer, Phase III of the Center Lake Project will begin where shoreline erosion will be corrected on the north shore of the lake and a large fish barrier, similar to the one in the picture above right will be constructed closer to Haywards Bay of West Okoboji. This barrier will prevent carp from moving north into Center Lake and Jemmerson Slough and spawning there. The fewer the carp, the cleaner Center Lake’s water will be.

Finally, within the next few years it is hoped the Iowa Great Lakes Sanitary Sewer will connect the 42 homes on the south side of Center Lake to the sanitary sewer. We regard this as Phase IV of the Center Lake Project, and it has the potential to prevent 170 pounds of phosphorous from reaching Center Lake each year. The septic tanks located on the south side of the lake are often not fully functional because of high water tables around the lake, especially in the spring.

These two areas of emphasis are improving the water quality of West Okoboji and protecting the lake into the future. Alone these two projects will have a great impact on the water quality and protection of West Okoboji, but when combined with one another and with all the other projects around West Okoboji, we are well on the way to keeping this jewel of ours, West Okoboji, protected for our children’s, children.

Water Level Fluctuations-a Normal Part of the Cycle for Natural LakesBy Mike Hawkins

Iowa DNR Fisheries Management BiologistAfter a four-year dry spell the Iowa Great Lakes are full again. Well, maybe a little over full. I hear again and again from residents how nice it is to see the lakes full. Low, high, or just right lake levels are a constant concern and point of discussion with area residents and summer visitors. Working in the Iowa Great Lakes for over 17 years, I’ve learned just how passionate and sometimes divisive the discussions about lake levels can be.

While full lakes are nice to see, it is easy to forget how important low water levels are for the health of our lakes. Water level fluctuations in general are a normal part of the cycle for natural lakes. As an example, large stands of giant bulrush once were common along many of the shorelines of the Iowa Great Lakes. Although shoreline development has altered these areas, significant low water periods are vital to the life cycle of giant bulrush and other aquatic plants growing near the shoreline.

As a biologist and lake manager I also pay attention to where water is coming from. Some of the water in our lakes comes from groundwater, but much of it comes from the lake’s watershed. A lake watershed is defined as all the land that drains to it. In the case of West Okoboji Lake, 14,734 acres or 22 square miles of land drain to the lake. During wet periods, runoff from construction sites, streets and driveways, unprotected shorelines, and agricultural fields all flow towards the lake. This water concentrates in storm sewers, waterways, and streams. If protection and prevention methods aren’t undertaken, soil, nutrients, and other pollutants flow freely to the lake.

Common Carp unsuccessfully fighting to get to spawning area. Placement of this rock barrier blocks them from reaching the spawning area.


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(photo by Tim Kinnetz) Aerial view of runoff into Big Spirit Lake from Sandbar Slough. Note the mass of sediment coming with the runoff.

Storm events are especially damaging and can carry vast quantities of sediment and nutrients to the lake. One drainage area flowing to West Okoboji Lake, located west of the Okoboji View Golf Course, was estimated to carry 422 tons of sediment to the lake during each two-inch storm event. Watershed protection efforts by the community and conservation organizations now stop most of this soil from reaching the lake. Nearly 75 acres of wetlands on 350 acres of restored prairie are now uniquely situated to intercept the heaviest flows from this area.

Conservation efforts in urban and rural areas continue to grow, but these wet periods with heavy rains provide us stark reminders of the work left to do. The image below was taken this May at one of many watershed inlets to the lakes. Heavy rains the week before moved large amounts of soil downstream to Sandbar Slough on Big Spirit Lake. This photo shows dirty water flowing from the slough into the clear lake water. I’ve also visited too many construction sites this spring that have not been prepared for a heavy spring rain. Even construction sites located away from the lake may feed storm drains that are connected to the lake.

The beautiful lakes we all enjoy are highly sensitive to excess soil and nutrients. They lead to summertime algae blooms (mainly cyanobacteria), dirty water, and excessive plant growth. All of these things can lead to poor ecological health, problems with fish populations, greater pressures on sensitive species of aquatic plants and animals, and interfere with recreation.

As the rains fall, pay attention to where the water comes from that fills our lakes. What is it carrying and what could have been done to prevent the erosion? Preventing soil and excessive nutrient from reaching the lake is in everyone’s best interest and is one of the most important things we can do to preserve and protect these resources. Aldo Leopold spoke widely about a land ethic. That ethic remains so important today because nearly all conservation is voluntary. Without educating ourselves and our children about our connection to the landscape, that ethic will fade.

Iowa Lakeside Lab Report:A Measure of Environmental Health in the Iowa Great Lakes Watershed Looks GoodBy Dr. Michael Lannoo and Dr. Rochelle Stiles

Lake health begins and ends with watershed health. In historic Okoboji, pothole wetlands and mixed-grass prairies predominated, and our lakes were clear and full of fish and a diverse aquatic life. Beginning about a century ago, 90!98 percent of wetlands within the Great Lakes watersheds were drained, the land was plowed for corn and soybean production, and the lakes suffered severe sedimentation and nutrient (fertilizer) inputs due to runoff.

Then, in the past three decades, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IA DNR) and its many partners, including the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, OPA, and dozens of other private, public, and state organizations, including agricultural interests, implemented the Iowa Great Lakes Watershed Management Plan. The goals of this plan were to improve water quality in our lakes and create wildlife habitat in lake watersheds.

Towards this end, nearly 150 Okoboji wetlands ranging in size and hydroperiod from small ephemeral basins to large permanent wetlands were restored on recently purchased public lands. Basins targeted for wetland reconstruction were chosen based on watershed size, the potential to stop erosion, and the proximity of existing wetlands.

During the creation of these wetlands, faculty at the Iowa Lakeside Laboratory noticed an increase in amphibian numbers. Amphibians are known to be sensitive indicators of environmental health, and therefore many of the most notable losses in the world’s biodiversity have been among amphibians. Amphibian declines have been well documented, signaling the earth’s sixth mass extinction, what former Lakeside Lab professor Gene Stoermer called the Anthropocene.

Over the next few decades, scientists expect nearly one third of the currently recognized 6,638 amphibian species to become extinct. Amphibian conservation efforts recognize this problem, and have undertaken heroic efforts to rescue at-risk. Amphibians are good colonizers of new habitats, however, and once in a while, “you build it [habitat] and they will come.” This has been the case in Okoboji.

In 2012, with the support of the Iowa DNR’s Chris LaRue and Mike Hawkins, we surveyed 118 Okoboji wetlands for larval amphibians. Our data show that in the past 30 years, ~120 new populations of native Northern Leopard Frogs and Eastern Tiger Salamanders have been established in the Iowa Great Lakes watershed, reversing historic declines and making these common species more common. Our results offer hope, and may serve to re-engage a public constantly battered by bad environmental news. We provide a few details, below.


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Species surveyedThe amphibian species of Okoboji include native Northern Leopard Frogs (Lithobates pipiens), native Eastern Tiger Salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum), and non-native American Bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus). Northern Leopard Frogs were abundant and widespread in Okoboji—in fact there was a commercial frog legging industry here in the early 1900s—and remain the most numerous Okoboji amphibian species. Eastern Tiger Salamanders are also common. Unlike in most other populations across their range, Eastern Tiger Salamanders in Okoboji have an unusual life history option. In some wetlands during some years, Okoboji’s Eastern Tiger Salamander larvae develop into cannibal morphs, exhibiting unusually large heads and large teeth; these hyper-predators consume larger prey and grow faster than non-cannibal morph larvae. Non-native American Bullfrogs are the amphibian scourge of Okoboji. Introduced in the late 1960s to provide sport, adult American Bullfrogs will eat almost any animal smaller than themselves, including native frog and salamander species.

Amphibian responseThe amphibian response to the Iowa Great Lakes Watershed Management Plan has been remarkable. Of the 118 sampled wetlands, 98 supported amphibians. Within these occupied wetlands, 80 (68 percent of the total sampled) supported native Northern Leopard Frogs; 41 (35 percent) supported native Eastern Tiger Salamanders, and 19 (16 percent) supported introduced American Bullfrogs. Only 20 wetlands (17 percent) were unoccupied. As was expected, size of the wetland, age of the wetland, and distance between wetlands influenced our data.

Unexpectedly, none of the 118 wetlands sampled contained both Eastern Tiger Salamander and American Bullfrog larvae. This result suggests introduced American Bullfrogs have the capacity to displace native Eastern Tiger Salamanders in Okoboji. At least one wetland that historically supported Eastern Tiger Salamanders but not American Bullfrogs now supports American Bullfrogs but not Eastern Tiger Salamanders.

Take home messageThere is good news in these data. Amphibians are not declining everywhere, and in places such as the Iowa Great Lakes watersheds, amphibian losses are being reversed due to landscape-level restorations. Not only is this good news for amphibians, it is good news for our lakes.

Lower Gar Lake Water Quality Project Set for Later this YearBy Chris LaRueWildlife Management Biologist

For the past four years, the Iowa DNR, along with several Conservation Partners, has worked to develop a plan that would greatly benefit the water quality on Lower Gar Lake.In 2012, the Iowa DNR and Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation were presented a possible opportunity for a key parcel of land within the Spring Run Wetlands Complex and Lower Gar and Iowa Great Lakes Watershed. The possible project quickly became a high priority, as the location is within one of the EPA 319 targeted sub-watersheds for sediment delivery and water quality improvements. The significant Clemens Wetlands Project intercepts two major drainages and around 9,000 acres of watershed that enters Lower Gar and the Iowa Great Lakes.

During this time, the Iowa DNR and Conservation Partners worked diligently to secure the extensive funding needed for the large project, which will restore two critical wetlands for water quality and migratory bird habitat near Lower Gar. Some of the funding sources for the project include the Dickinson County Water Quality Commission, Iowa DNR Lakes Restoration, North American Wetland Conservation Act, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, Wildlife Habitat Stamp and more.

The Iowa DNR requested Ducks Unlimited evaluate the feasibility of the project and design the large structures needed to restore approximately 14.0 wetland acres within the large watersheds. Construction for the project is planned for the summer or fall of 2016.

When completed, the project will reduce sediment delivery, provide some filtration of nutrients for long term water quality benefits and will also provide habitat for wetland dependent species within the Spring Run Wetlands Complex / Bird Conservation Area. More importantly it will provide additional long-term watershed protection for Lower Gar and the Iowa Great Lakes as a premiere recreational and drinking water resource within Dickinson County.

Dr. Rochelle Stiles with an amphibian friend.


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Marble / Hottes Lake Watershed Improvement Update By Chris LaRueWildlife Management Biologist

In the fall of 2014 the Iowa DNR and its partners began construction on the Marble / Hottes Lake water quality project. The final phase of construction was completed in the late winter and spring of 2015. Both lakes were successfully pumped down in the fall and winter of 2014 with some additional pumping done in the spring of 2015 to remove rough fish and to establish new emergent and sub-emergent aquatic vegetation for critical water quality benefits.

With Mother Nature cooperating and continued hard work and monitoring both systems, the re-establishment of aquatic vegetation began in 2015. It can take typically two to even three years of working with a lake to complete the renovation process depending on many different circumstances.

However, this was a rare situation in which we were able to do both lakes at once in 2015 with the new water control structures and only one pump system. The rough fish free systems and new aquatic vegetation became very attractive to thousands of migratory waterfowl and, of course, a hot spot that was flooded with waterfowl hunters throughout the 2015 season. It was certainly great to see the intensive public use of these healthy lakes all because of the obvious water quality improvements.

The next phase of the project is to focus on just one of the lakes in 2016 and to remove only a portion of the water to not stress the newly established vegetation. However, as we are all seeing Mother Nature seems to have a differently plan for 2016 by providing us with some of the wettest conditions we’ve seen in years. Pumping on West Hottes Lake would have started possibly back the beginning of April, but high water levels have prevented that to this stage. Unless things change significantly in the future NO pumping may be done this spring or early summer to help maintain aquatic vegetation.

The Iowa DNR is closely monitoring both Marble and Hottes Lakes and will be working with them possibly this fall and into the coming years to provide the best water quality benefits possible.

By late July of 2015, the water quality was vastly improved on West Hottes, creating emergent vegetation that attracted these wood ducks.

Looking at Responsible Land ManagementBy Steve Weisman

A watershed is an area of land that drains all the streams and rainfall to a common outlet such as the outflow of a reservoir, mouth of a bay, or any point along a stream channel. It is further explained in this way. A watershed consists of surface water--lakes, streams, reservoirs, and wetlands--and all the underlying ground water.

Larger watersheds contain many smaller watersheds. It all depends on the outflow point; all of the land that drains water to the outflow point is the watershed for that outflow location. Watersheds are important because the stream flow and the water quality of a river are affected by things, human-induced or not, happening in the land area "above" the river-outflow point.

Here in the Lakes area the Iowa Great Lakes Watershed is huge: 90,631 acres. One way or another we all impact this watershed. Whatever runoff enters our lakes directly affects their water quality and their health! Here in the Iowa Great Lakes watershed, the outflow point is where the water leaves Lower Gar. Everything uphill (mostly north) of that point to almost I-90 in southern Minnesota drains through our chain of lakes and leaves the area headed towards the Little Sioux River from that point.

Although there are huge challenges facing all of us who live in the Iowa Great Lakes Watershed, there are so many opportunities to make water quality better. There are so many things individuals and groups can do with a wide range of water quality improvement practices for both rural and urban areas. No practice or change in behavior is too small to improve water quality in our lakes. These practices are important no matter if it is around the lake or miles from nearest shoreline. We all need to be part of the solution.


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As former Jim Sholly, the former watershed coordinator for the Iowa Great Lakes says, “It’s really all about responsible land stewardship.” In reality, it’s about taking care of the water on our property, not just getting it to run off and passing it on to someone or some place else! He notes that more and more people are taking the responsibility to do their part in helping improve our water quality.

Before he left his present position, he told me, “I’m really excited about a new practice being tried here in northwest Iowa It’s called an ‘Edge of Field’ prairie strip. In this practice, the landowner puts 10-15 percent of a field into a section of strategically placed prairie grasses. For instance, if you put the strip of grass on the downhill side of the field, the plan is to intercept and infiltrate the water into the prairie before it enters a drainage ditch, culvert, road ditch or stream that eventually drains into a river or lake.”Iowa State University has done several studies on this in southern and central Iowa, and data collected shows the Edge of Field practice works very well. “Dr. Helmers, who heads this study, is encouraged by what he has seen. The practice protects the tile intakes and helping to meet water quality goals, while at the same time meeting the needs of the farmer planting corn and soybeans.”

According to Dr. Helmers, data collected has been very encouraging. “Based on our water quality monitoring at other sites in Iowa, we see a drastic reduction in sediment and nutrient loss with runoff in areas where prairie strips have been incorporated.”

A local projectEric Hoien, who owns farmland on the east of Big Spirit, has establishing this practice on his land. Currently, the drainage leaves the land through culverts to the ditch across the road and also into the Reeds Run drainage area before entering Big Spirit. “I am really excited about the potential that the Edge of Field practice will do for us in the Iowa Great Lakes Watershed,” said Hoien. “Sometime in 2014, I saw an article in the Des Moines Register about the STRIPS program (Science-based Trials of Rowcrops Integrated with Prairie Strips), and it intrigued me. I then looked at videos on the Internet about these strips. The idea of Edge of Field practice is that you can put 10 percent of a field edge into prairie grasses and it will take care of approximately 90 percent of the runoff. That made sense to me.”

The initial step is to take a look at the topography and see where the low spots are and where the drainage is going. On the Hoien farm, some of those areas showed up along the road. These are areas where water might settle or run to after a large rainfall. Hoien worked with his tenant to make sure it would be in both of their interests to implement this practice without hampering the farmability of the land.

In November, Hoien had the 20+-acre tract seeded with a mix of tall grass prairie seed incorporating many wildflowers into the mix. In addition, two sites will be set up to collect data concerning runoff. According to Sholly, “Two autosamplers will be installed this spring, one at the leading edge of the prairie strip (as it comes off the cropped area) and the second at the exit of the prairie strip (after it leaves the prairie). This will help us determine the differences in water, sediment and nitrate/phosphorous levels before it enters the prairie and after it has gone through the prairie and then left the strip.” It will take two to three years before the prairie grasses have totally taken hold. There will also be a mid-contract prescribed burn to invigorate the grasses and forbs.

Based on the results from other Edge of Field plantings, Hoien hopes to see a significant decrease in run-off and nitrate/phosphorous levels. Once established, the native prairie grass deep root structure will act as a sponge, when the water begins to run off. The root structure is so massive that it will take care of a huge amount of water. As a result, much of it will never leave the field. Thus, the prairie will intercept and infiltrate the water – in this case before it ever reaches the culverts or Reeds Run.

Hoien says this is meant to be a long-term investment for at least 10 years. After the contract is up, there appears to be the opportunity to re-enroll the land. “For years, the typical thought process has been to get that extra water off of the property, never thinking about the consequences as it enters our lakes and streams or adjacent neighbors. It is really our responsibility to take care of the water on our property, not just pass it on to someone else!”

This is also going to act as a demonstration site where other landowners can come and witness the results. The landowner gets the benefit of still being able to farm the ground, while at the same time getting to protect his own land and also the watershed as it carries run-off to the lake.For more information about this program or other conservation programs, call (712) 336-3782 ext. 3.

Visual Examples (4 inch rain in June 2008)

100% Crop 100% Prairie 10% Prairie 90% Crop


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Iowa Great Lakes Sanitation District UpdateBy Steve AndersonSuperintendent of the IGLSD

Currently the Iowa Great Lakes Sanitary District is finishing up projects from last year and looking at future projects. The current projects include the Okoboji Harbor Sewer Rehabilitation Project and the radio and computer upgrades at the 64 lift stations around the lakes. Future items that are being discussed and investigated are sewer for the south end of Center Lake and options for the treated water discharged into Milford Creek.

Okoboji Harbor Sewer Rehabilitation ProjectThe rehabilitation of the public sewer in the Okoboji Harbor has been a huge project. There were three phases to the project in the Harbor area. The first was a process called pipe bursting which replaced the worst section of the sewer pipe. This process required limited digging to insert new pipes, replace manholes and reconnecting of private sewer services. The second phase was to line the sewer pipe that was still round. The lining process started in January and will finish up in May. The lining contractor also worked on the sewer pipes north of the Harbor and two areas on the south end of Big Spirit Lake. The last phase of the project is to line manholes in the Harbor. The contractor was allowed to start on this phase of the project as of April 25, 2016. When completed, the new sewer in the Harbor will have a minimum life of 50 years. Although it has been tough for the residents to watch their yards torn up by the project, we hope to have them all back in place and ready to use shortly. I appreciate the understanding of the residents in the Harbor area as we worked through this difficult project.

Radio UpgradesThe Sanitary District is continuing its work on the radio upgrades. There have been some issues since the radios were installed in December of 2015. We continue to work with the contractors, engineers and other experts to resolve problems with the communications system. Following the radio upgrade, new computer alarm systems will be installed at each site. When this project is completed it will ensure a better control and alarms systems when completed.

Annually I ask that if you hear or see an alarm at a lift station to call the Dickinson County Dispatch at 712-336-2525 immediately. With this radio project, we have had three issues where alarms were going off, the radio did not send an alarm to our staff and no one called the Dickinson County Dispatch office. The system works about 99 percent of the time; it is the 1 percent of the time we depend on the public’s assistance. The Sanitary District would rather have 50 people call about the same site verses no one calling and have sewage go into a basement or into one of the area lakes.

Center Lake StudyThe Iowa Great Lakes Sanitary District was established to protect and improve the water quality of the Iowa Great Lakes. The District has taken on large projects to get sewer around the lakes area and has sewer around most of the lakes. The south end of Center Lake is one area that is still on septic systems, and some of those systems are possibly contributing to water quality issues in Center Lake. In April 2016, the Sanitary District Trustees approved a study to get options and costs for extending the public sewer to the south end of Center Lake. The study will be done over the summer and is the first step for getting a project started for this area.

Waste Water Discharge DilemmaThe Sanitary District has a permit that regulates the discharge of treated waste water into Milford Creek. The District has not violated its discharge permit and consistently exceeds the minimal requirements. A new permit issued in July of 2015 places new limits on the discharge that need to be met within five years. These new limits are the strictest in the state and the District has been discussing options with DNR for several months. The Sanitary District is generally the majority of the flow when Lower Gar is not discharging into Milford Creek. At this time, the District has two options: spend money to meet the requirements or change the discharge location to the Little Sioux River. To meet the new limits, the District would look at spending an estimated $7 million dollars at the plant that was just updated in 2010 at a cost of $14 million dollars. DNR personnel in Des Moines have stated that if this does not fix the problems in the stream, that we will have to lower our limits again. That cost is not known, but at this time the District believes it would be more than $7 million. All these costs are structural and mechanical and do not consider the additional staff time, storage, utilities and other costs that will go up for the removal of nutrients. With all this money spent there is expected to be no noticeable improvements in Milford Creek because farm tiles, storm sewers and the lakes will continue to add nutrients to the stream system.

The other option is taking the discharge to the Little Sioux River. The cost for this is not known but the operational costs are lower. The issue with this is the loss of fish and wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities and fishing on the creek. The creek south of Milford going under Highway 71 would be dry most of the year if the Districts discharge were relocated to the Little Sioux River. The District Trustees are looking at getting studies completed to verify costs and impacts. The major impact this could have is holding up a south Center Lake Sewer project so funds can be spent on the creek to meet the requirements of our permit.For more information please check out our website atwww.iglsd.com.


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Exploring Nature at the Dickinson County Nature CenterBy Kiley RothDickinson County Community Relations Coordinator

It’s a Monday night in the Iowa Great Lakes area. Everything has calmed down after a picture-perfect weekend, and the town seems pretty quiet. What is there to do with the family?

Come down to the Dickinson County Nature Center for Family Nature Night, a brand new program for the 2016 season. The events will kick off 6-7 p.m. Monday, June 13, with a Gone Fishin’ theme. Settle down in the outdoor amphitheater with a picnic dinner and learn all about the fish that make their homes in our lakes, and then get ready for a whole lot of fun with games and even friendly competitions.

Family Nature Night will also be held 6-7 p.m. Monday, July 11, with the theme Bird Brains, and 6-7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 8, with an “Amazing Race”-type competition called The Nature Center Challenge.

Birding on the Green also kicked off its season in May, as all ages took golf carts through Brooks National Golf Club in Okoboji to document avian species seen and heard on the course. Join Dickinson County naturalists and avid local birders 7 a.m. June 6, July 11, Aug. 1 and Sept. 12 for the next installments of this birding extravaganza.

Encourage your children and grandchildren to spend time outside this summer by bringing them to Nature Explorers and Young Naturalists program at the nature center. During Nature Explorers, ages 6-9 will get Wet & Wild 10:30 a.m. June 9 and 23, July 7 and 21 and Aug. 4. Young Naturalists, ages 10-12, will learn all kinds of outdoor survival skills 1 p.m. Jun 16 and 30, July 14 and 28 and Aug. 11. Call 712-336-6352 to pre-register your child for these programs.

Plus, Dickinson County Nature Center has plenty of fun summer day camps in store for ages 4-18. Teens and pre-teens will get to learn the basics of kayaking during the Kayaking Adventures camp June 15-16 for ages 8-12 and June 22-23 for ages 13-18. During the Nature Kids camp July 18-20, children 4-7 will get to explore everything outside, from animals to flowers to mud! Camp registration is available online at www.dickinsoncountynaturecenter.com.

Summer activities come to the perfect head during the Bee & Butterfly Festival 4-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 2. The Dickinson County Conservation Board’s biggest event of the year focuses on our favorite pollinators --- butterflies and bees. Come learn about these fabulous creatures, tag a monarch, make crafts and watch some great entertainment. It’s fun for all ages.

In addition to summer programming, the Dickinson County Nature Center also has year-round offerings for all ages. Star Trekking, Nature Playtime for Tots, Hike the Wild, the eARTh exhibit area --- visit www.dickinsoncountynaturecenter.com for a full schedule or keep up on the latest happenings on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

The Dickinson County Nature Center has one-of-a-kind T-shirts now for sale in the Nature Store. Monarch and kayak designs are available in sizes 2T-XXXL for just $15 each, or $12 for members of the Conservation Foundation of Dickinson County. Stop by during open hours 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday (Labor Day to Memorial Day) or 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday (Memorial Day-Labor Day).

Part of the Animal Adventures camp at the Dickinson County Nature Center in 2015 included having free time to just enjoy playing outside in the nature playscape.

Karess Knudtson talks about native prairie plants to two-day campers during the 2015 Animal Adventures camp at the Dickinson County Nature Center.


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Iowa Lakeside Lab: Something for EveryoneBy Jane ShuttleworthOutreach Education Coordinator

Summer is a busy time at Lakeside Lab! Academic courses, research, faculty lectures, youth camps, volunteer opportunities, writers and artists in residence programs are in full swing. So are our public programs! Be sure to see the 2016 Summer Public Program page for details and dates, and follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LakesideLab/.

THE GLEON BUOY: West Okoboji’s “Facebook” PageAnd speaking of Facebook following, you can now follow Lake West Okoboji’s scientific equivalent of a Facebook page by following data from the Okoboji GLEON buoy. GLEON stands for Global Lake Ecological Observation Network. Installed in 2015, it is one of only about 100 such buoys worldwide. The buoy is equipped with weather and water quality sensors that collect and transmit data every ten minutes, allowing scientists world-wide to study the role of lakes in moderating global nutrient cycles, climate change and other topics. Locally, you can use buoy data to monitor the weather and water quality conditions for fishing, sailing, swimming or other recreational opportunities. Visit the Lakeside Lab web page for daily and weekly data (www.lakesidelab.org), or download the GLEON app on your smart phone. Go to your phone’s application store, and type in the app WQ Data LIVE and follow download instructions

The above graph records – for the first time in West Okoboji history! – a detailed view of the fall thermocline dissolution (popularly called ‘lake turnover’): the thermocline (represented by the horizontal line) gradually sinks and mixes with dense, cool water from above.

Follow the thermoclineThe thermocline is the transitional layer of water separating cool, deep water from warm surface water in lakes during summer months. Because it is so deep, West Okoboji is the only natural lake in Iowa that forms a stable thermocline during summer. Thanks to a string of surface to lake-bottom sensors, you can now follow the formation and dissolution of the thermocline in spring and fall.

The above graph records – for the first time in West Okoboji history! – a detailed view of last fall’s thermocline dissolution (popularly called ‘lake turnover’). The thermocline (represented by the horizontal line) gradually sinks and mixes with dense, cool water from above.

Lakeside thanks to the Okoboji Protective Association for being a sponsor of the West Okoboji GLEON project!

School Year ProgramsNearly 2500 K-12 students from fifteen northwest Iowa school districts engage in deep learning at Lakeside each year. Here is a sampling of programs from 2015 -2016: Spirit Lake First Graders kick off their fall, winter and spring science units by spending the day at Lakeside doing hands on investigations. Freshmen from Harris Lake Park and Spirit Lake High Schools study biological, physical and chemical parameters of water quality in both field and lab settings like they would do if taking a college course. Over 60 Talented and Gifted Middle School students from across Northwest Iowa learned about science careers and cutting edge research topics such as Zika virus by interacting with experts in a variety of scientific disciplines.

The Wonders of Algae Lakeside hosts the Phycological Research Consortium, a collaborative of researchers from Iowa State University and across the United States who study topics in algae research. “Lakeside Lab is one of the best places in the United States - and the world- to study algae,” says Mindy Morales, Lakeside alum and faculty member whose research focuses on what triggers noxious algae blooms. “Lakeside has a long history of scientific knowledge to draw on, there is easy access to diverse aquatic habitats to sample from, and we have access to research-grade microscopes.”


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CLAMP volunteers attend the annual data-crunching-thank you dinner at Lakeside.

Lakeside’s research-grade microscopes include high resolution imaging systems that also make the study of the micro-world accessible to families as shown here during the Algae Open House held by the Phycological Research Consortium this spring.

Volunteering for Water QualityThanks to The Okoboji Protective Association for supporting the Cooperative Lakes Area Monitoring Project (CLAMP), the longest running lake monitoring program in Iowa. Lakeside provides free training and equipment for volunteers who take field measurements and collect water samples for analysis at Lakeside’s State Hygienic Lab. Thanks to West Okoboji volunteers for donating their time in 2015: Ann Camozzi, Hank Miguel, Mary Jean O’Hair, Lou Hasenwinkel, Dana Norton, Gordon Drier, Kate Ebinger, Denny and Nancy Galloway, Dick Hawes, Stan Lemkuil, MaryAnn Montgomery, Perry Pearson, Steve Rose, Leroy Schoon, Heidi Toale, and Margie Wood.

Native Landscaping on our Urban LandsBy Derek Namanny

Prior to European settlement of Iowa, our landscape was dominated by tall grass prairie and interspersed oak trees that stretched across the state. The native vegetation was maintained by regular fires that would sweep across the land. While this fire would remove most unwanted vegetation, the native prairie and oak trees would thrive off the fire. The deep root system of the prairie plants along with the thick layer of bark around the oak trees protects the plants during the fires. These root systems also aided in absorbing the majority of the rainfall events.

Fast forwarding to today’s conditions after years of fire suppressant, urban development, and agriculture production the native vegetation of Iowa has been significantly altered. Turf grass in urban lands, row crop production on agriculture lands, and impervious surfaces like roads and rooftops now thrive where prairie and oak savanna once stood. Along with changing the dynamics of vegetation growth, we have altered the hydrology of the land by absorbing less rainfall and shedding more runoff, much to the detriment of our waterways.

While we will never completely restore the native vegetation of Iowa, there is something we can do on our own properties to mimic the landscapes of old by planting native prairie vegetation. Currently our urban lands are covered with turf grass that possess shallow root systems resulting in little water absorption capabilities and no benefit to our pollinator species. Plating natives in locations like our lawns provide numerous benefits to mitigate the effects of development. Deep root systems boost organic matter and break up the soils, allowing for more rainwater to be absorbed. The flowering native species provide a pollen source for pollinators like butterflies and bees, which are vital components of our food sources. The deep root systems also anchor soil in place better than shallow-rooted turf grass.

No two native species are alike with numerous different growth heights, colors, and appearances. Selecting the right native species for your property is vital towards a successful project. Numerous resources exist to research which plants work the best for you. Simply typing “Iowa native prairie plants” into your favorite search engine will pull up numerous websites with photos and descriptions of native prairie plants.

Growing native prairie in the right location is also important. Areas of your yard that receive heavy foot traffic and get used regularly might not be the best place to plant natives. Areas like the edges of yards, areas that are difficult to mow, and shoreline areas provide ideal growing conditions. Since our landscape didn’t have a lot of trees prior to settlement, the majority of native plants enjoy full sun conditions, so consider shade cover of the area before you plant.


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If you would like to learn more about planting native prairie in urban landscapes please attend the “Using Native Plants in Landscaping” presentation on Saturday July 23rd at 11 a.m. at the Dickinson County Nature Center. This program will focus on the benefits of native plants for water retention, pollinator source for native bees and butterflies, along with maintenance tips. Attendees will also go on a guided tour around the nature center grounds to identify native prairie plants.

Let the Good Work Continue…By Jim Sholly

Over the past two years, over 100 individuals living around the Iowa Great Lakes have reached out to the Iowa Great Lakes Watershed Project for conservation planning assistance. That level of enthusiasm is what will be needed to continue to see water quality gains across all of our local lakes.

As an active member of the Okoboji Protective Association, you can help reach out to new members and any resident who could be doing more to help our lakes. It is bittersweet that I am moving on to a new position in conservation, but I am excited to announce that two new faces will soon be gracing the Iowa Great Lakes region.

We will be welcoming a new Northwest Iowa Urban Conservationist in May and a new Watershed Coordinator later this summer. Both of those folks will continue the work started in the late 1990’s and propel water quality discussions ahead, and work towards a sustainable management system for the priceless natural resources of Dickinson County.

Two samples of the beauty of landscaping with native plants.

I encourage you to reach out to the friendly faces at the Dickinson Soil and Water Conservation District to find out how to be better stewards of our lakes. I truly believe that when we work together, each of us doing something small, we can achieve something big. Arrange for a one-on-one visit with a local conservationist by calling (712) 336-3782 Ext. 3.

It has been a pleasure working with the vibrant communities surrounding our Iowa Great Lakes, and I hope all the great work we have started will continue for many years to come.

Grab the Golf Clubs and Join the FunBy Steve Weisman

The Zito Family Memorial Charity Golf Tournament, which is held annually at Emerald Hills Golf Course, is set for Friday, August 12 and will coincide with all of the clean water activities during the week of August 8-13. Revenues from this year’s tournament will be donated to the Okoboji Protective Association.

The charity tournament was established several years ago by the Zito siblings in memory of their parents, Rick and Ellen. The children spent their childhood years on the southeast shore of West Lake Okoboji and gained their love and passion for the clean waters of West Lake from their parents.

According to Michael Zito, the Zito Memorial Charity Tournament this year is a four-person scramble (best shot), which is always a fun way to golf. However, if you can’t get a team of four together, just come and play.

Listed below are the times and details for the tournament: 12:00 pm - Lunch and Registration1:00 pm - Shotgun start4:30/5:00 pm - Awards Ceremony and ReceptionCost is $100 per golfer and includes golf, lunch, reception and two drink tickets.

Once again, a fun day with proceeds going to the Okoboji Protective Association. Call the Emerald Hills Clubhouse (712-332-7100) for more information and to pre-register you and your team.


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Board of DirectorsTerm Expires 2016 2017 2018Wahpeton Jim Keck Terri Rierson Tom Batcheller West Okoboji Orville Berg Aubrey LaFoy Joan Williams Arnolds Park Diana Jensen Paula Henry Tracy Evans Okoboji Paula Duncan Owen Primavera Mike Thoreson No Town Kate Ebinger Harley Whitfield Steve Rose At Large Steve Carlson Andrea Waitt Carlton Donna Buell At Large Tom Hart Lou Hasenwinkel Dick Coffey At Large Herman Richter John Wills Tom Dunscombe At Large Kate Mendenhall Margaret Lainson At Large Kirk Stauss Barry Sackett Bob DeKock

Officers 2015 President Barry Sackett John Wills Vice President John Wills Greg Drees Secretary Barbara Mendenhall Barbara Mendenhall Treasurer Joe Fitzgibbons Barry Sackett

Past Presidents Steve Avery Jim Cravens Greg Drees Joe Fitzgibbons Brad Jones Barbara Mendenhall Hank Miguel

Dick MontgomeryPhil PetersenJim RosendahlJane ShuttleworthPaul SiehNed StockdaleJohn SynhorstJudy Thoreson

2016

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In Remembrance…As an organization, the Okoboji Protective Association expresses its deepest sympathy and condolences to the family of Peggy McClintock Luhring. Peggy, who passed away on October 22, 2015, was a longtime educator and had a great love for the Iowa Great Lakes. She also served as a past director with the OPA. “As a member of OPA, Peggy expressed a great passion and love of Okoboji and her loss will be greatly felt,” notes OPA President, John H. Wills.


OPA NewsletterP.O. Box 242

Okoboji, IA 51355The OPA Newsletter welcomes submissions from its readers.

Editors: .......................................................... Barbara Mendenhall Steve Weisman

World Wide WebOPA

http://www.okobojiprotectiveassociation.org

OPA Mission and Goals“The OPA is dedicated to improving and enhancing the water quality and ecological

health of Lake West Okoboji and the Iowa Great Lakes Watershed."

Our Goals1. To protect and monitor water quality, including the threat of invasive species. 2. To preserve and protect the wetlands in the Iowa Great Lakes watershed. 3. To participate in the control of lake development where a threat to the aquatic and shoreline environment exists. 4. To promote sustainable urban and agricultural development to protect the ecological balance of the lake and its watershed. 5. To inform the community of ecological concerns of the OPA and courses of action to be taken.

OKOBOJI PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP FORM

Membership Levels

$35 – Regular

$50 – Contributing

$100 – Sustaining

$250 – Patron

Name: __________________________________________________________________

Summer Address: _________________________________________________________

City: _________________________________ State: _______ Zip: __________________

Winter Address: ___________________________________________________________

City: _________________________________ State: _______ Zip: __________________

Email address to keep you informed:___________________________________________

Clip and mail this form with your check to: OPA, PO Box 242, Okoboji, IA 51355 If you have already renewed your membership - thank you.

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