John Redmond

[drifter106]

Has anybody heard anything about what (if anything) will be done with the lake level? They have raised the conservation level up since it was built but I have heard talk about dredging. That doesn't seem feasible and where would they put the material????? All started when they tried to change the course of the river. Maybe the power plant will have a say in it. Don't they have to have certain amounts of water available in order for them to keep going? Lake has saved countless amounts of money and personal possessions from flooding over the years and I really think its taken for granted now days.

[zummy]

They are going to pump the sediment onto neighboring land owners that consent. USFWS wanted some in the goose bend area but they don't want to put it back upstream. The power plant gets make up water to keep the lake topped off from a pump house just below the dam.

I know I will be glad when they dredge it. Might keep some of the water off of my place.

[drifter106]

Found out some info...KANSAS WATER SYSTEM (google

This will be a state project with state $$$$$ or lack therof. Heard the same thing Zummy mentioned, suck it out. Long story short....suppose to start rather soon and will take a long time (20 to 25yrs).

[Blackdog40]

Yes they have a plan in place the goop will be stored on selected plots down stream of the dam. I think they are still working on funding. The lake level was increase by around 2ft higher

[zummy]

You want to see the problem go look at the crop fields in SE Lyon county after a rain. Black slurry coming off the fields from all the top soil washing away. Waterways and riparian areas that used to exist are now farmed.

[Blackdog40]

Yep when the prices of row crops went up every acre was turned over and planted. A lot of CRP was taken out and planted. Not good. Then on the good land some rich outfit leases so no one else can hunt by deal all the way around/

[zummy]

You mean like all the stuff south of Lebo on Fauna? I heard a rumor of what they gave an acre to lease it. If its true its incredible.

The road from Hartford to Fauna RD just opened last week. Reason it was closed so long after the water receeded you ask...had to bring in backhoes to get the silt off of it.

[drifter106]

You would think these farmers would know the effect of farming "fence row to fence row". Just trying to seize the opportunity to make more money but sacrificing what nature took thousands of years to make.

[drakewoodie]

Fence to fence is taking over, grass land pulled to plant crops, and what I've been seeing a lot of recently is hedge rows getting cut down so the farmer can plant all the way to the edge of the field. I know it seems the newer generations are lacking knowledge on the history of the United States but I figured most farmers are old enough to have learned it. I guess I am wrong. I see Milford lake every summer when the blue green algae takes hold and then I think about all the nitrogen that must the farmers put on the corn fields year after year because they would rather pay for the fertilizer than rotate their crops. Really not interested in seeing where we are at in 20 years. The Milford community is working on a solution to the problem; but until they can get farmers to plant conservation buffer and not use as much fertilizer were gonna keep having this issue.

[drifter106]

Drakewoodie...do I see you over at USCA?