{"id":6685,"date":"2020-06-21t11:47:36","date_gmt":"2020-06-21t16:47:36","guid":{"rendered":"\/\/www.dicovercards.com\/?post_type=snyder-projects&p=6685"},"modified":"2022-04-18t10:12:26","modified_gmt":"2022-04-18t15:12:26","slug":"watershed-restoration-water-quality-improvements-easter-lake-park","status":"publish","type":"snyder-projects","link":"\/\/www.dicovercards.com\/projects\/watershed-restoration-water-quality-improvements-easter-lake-park\/","title":{"rendered":"watershed restoration & water quality improvements: easter lake park"},"content":{"rendered":"

popular recreation destination offers a variety of outdoor activities<\/span><\/h2>\n

since its creation in 1967, the 464-acre easter lake park on the south side of des moines<\/a> has been a popular outdoor recreation destination \u2013 often hosting over 400,000 visitors a year. managed by the polk county conservation board (pccb), the park offers a range of amenities<\/a>, including five picnic shelters, three playgrounds, volleyball courts, and multi-use trails<\/a>. additionally, the park supports a number of outdoor activities like geocaching, hiking, and bicycling<\/a>.<\/p>\n

but perhaps the highlight of the park is the 178-acre lake. stocked yearly by the pccb, the lake draws anglers from around the region looking to catch bass, walleye, and catfish. a boat ramp provides access to the lake for fishermen and recreational boaters alike. easter lake is also the perfect location for canoeing and kayaking on its calm, no-wake waters. during the summer, a swimming beach is open on the lake\u2019s north side to round out the entertainment options.<\/p>\n

lake receives \u201cimpaired waters\u201d designation due to poor water quality & heavy sedimentation<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

unfortunately, throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, the lake struggled with diminishing water quality<\/a> as residential development<\/a> in the lake\u2019s watershed<\/a> increased. issues such as poor water clarity, algal blooms, high phosphorus rates, and low oxygen concentrations led to easter lake being added to the state of iowa\u2019s \u201cimpaired waters\u201d list. the sedimentation issues, along with increased shoreline erosion, decreased the lake\u2019s size (both in area and volume).<\/p>\n

in addition, an increase of invasive fish populations resulted in a poor fishery, while the water clarity and quality issues led to health alerts being issued to swimmers on many occasions over the years. all of these issues resulted in easter lake not reaching its full potential as an outdoor enthusiast\u2019s destination of choice.<\/p>\n

the birth of the easter lake water quality management plan<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

in response to these water quality problems, numerous stakeholders came together to develop the easter lake water quality management plan in 2012. co-sponsored by the iowa department of natural resources (idnr), the city of des moines, and the pccb, this 10-year plan resulted from the compilation of existing studies (performed by iowa state university scientists and the natural resources conservation service) and consultant\u2019s recommendations for structural and non-structural best management practices (bmps). the goal of these studies was to advance methods to reduce the delivery of pollutants to the watershed, reduce stormwater <\/a>runoff, and create a path for the renovation and restoration of easter lake as a vibrant recreation hub for des moines and the surrounding area.<\/p>\n

the easter lake water quality management plan would serve as the baseline for the design work performed by snyder & associates. since the restoration project recommendations outlined in the plan were wide-ranging and involved numerous types of construction<\/a> and expertise, our firm was hired to provide 2022世界杯美洲杯预选赛 services<\/a>. projects were divided into several phases that allowed for better contractor specialization to guide the project\u2019s success. core projects designed and planned by snyder & associates included:<\/p>\n

\"rendering<\/a>

this concept rendering shows proposed structural improvements to be completed for the easter lake restoration project.<\/p><\/div>\n