04-09-08 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL APRIL 9, 2008 Waite provided some history on previous levels of Savage Lake indicating that the lake was deeper and has been filling up with sediment in recent years. He indicated that in the 34 years that he has lived on Lakeshore Avenue, there have never been lily pads on Savage Lake to the extent that there has been in the past couple of years. Waite also noted that the wetland area at Demont and Jackson Street is filled with sediment. Waite questioned how Savage Lake has gotten to be only 3 feet deep. He noted that in past years property owners along the lake had docks and were able to use the lake. Waite asked what has happened to the lake. The Public Works Superintendent reported that the streets in this area were reconstructed in the mid-1990's. At that time ditches were filled in and storm pipe installed. The Superintendent reported that there is some sediment that is getting into Savage Lake from the storm pipe and there is delta formation at the ends of the pipe. He noted that water quality standards have come a long way since the 1990's. The Superintendent reported that the Watershed has looked at the situation and feels that there is not near enough sedimentation discharging into Savage Lake that would result in raising the entire lake floor. If that were true, there would be much more severe problems at each of the inlets. The Superintendent reported that it was determined that there is sediment approximately 60 feet out from one of the inlets, but no sediment further than that. The Administrator provided history relative to the previous lake level controls and the replacement that was done based on the DNR's determination of the ordinary high water mark for Savage Lake. The Administrator outlined the process that was involved in getting permission to raise Savage Lake one foot above that level, and indicated that given the last couple of dry years, the lake has not risen by that one foot. The Administrator acknowledged that Savage Lake is low, and lily pads have taken over. In a meeting with adjacent property owners, the Watershed informed those property owners that the DNR will allow harvesting of lily pads adjacent to the shoreline. The property owners were informed of the permit process they would need to follow. The Administrator reported that both the City and the Watershed has contacted the Middle School about the possible pollution problem. With regard to water quality into Savage Lake, the Administrator indicated that the City could treat the water, but this may result in less water going into the lake. The City will be working with the Watershed to determine what can be done. The Administrator also pointed out that previous to the freeway project, there was a lot of drainage going directly into Savage Lake. New treatment ponds have been added as part of the freeway project.