07-22-09 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES CITY COUNCIL JULY 22, 2009 Watershed determined that there are a couple of homes on Fast Savage that would be in danger of flooding if the water level was raised. Waite referred to Council meeting minutes from May of 1963 that referenced the OHW level of Savage, and felt that information should have been taken into consideration in determining the OHW level. Blesener pointed out that there are a lot of regulations that have changed since 1963, and again noted that it is the DNR and the Watershed that have determined the OHW level for the lake. The City has no authority in determining lake levels. The City Administrator agreed that the DNK sets lake levels, and reported that the Watershed did a hydrological study of Savage Lake. He noted the iuformation outlined in the 10/20/08 meeting minutes relative to the determiuation that the 100-year flood elevation for the lake is 897.9 and that there are a number of homes close to or below the 100-year flood elevation. The Watershed indicated that raising the weir shructure would endanger two or three homes. Waite stated that he would like to see the West Savage Lake level raised to a point where life would return to the lake. "the City Administrator reviewed the history of the weir system on East Savage and the City's request of the Watershed to do something with the system when the old one became inoperable. The Watershed then installed a permanent weir structure that would require less maintenance than the old one. 'The City Attorney reported that a lot of lake regulations have changed since the 1960's and 1970's and noted that ownership of lake best was removed to the State in the late 1970's. 'fhe Attorney reported that the regulation of lake levels is unquestionably the responsibility of the DNR. The Attorney indicated that the City would only be able to lobby the DNR relative to changing the lake level. The DNR has final jurisdiction. Waite suggested that an L-pipe system be installed that would raise the lake level of West Savage without impacting the level of East Savage. Blesener felt that a dam system of the connection between East and West Savage would result in West Savage filling up and East Savage drying up. Waite felt the water levels would even out between the two lake segments. McGraw questioned how the L-pipe would cause West Savage water levels to increase when the lakes are not spring fed. McGraw pointed out that the lake levels are decreasing because there has been no moistm•e. Every lake in the metro area has been drying up. 11