We would like to thank the DLWID Board for their attempts to preserve our water right by raising the lake to the full impoundment level of 9.53’ during the month of July. Mother Nature did not however cooperate and the lake never exceeded 9.4’ during the month. Now that we have reached August the lake has been lowered to 9.0’ as per the most recent DLWID resolution on the matter. Discussion by the Board in the July meeting indicated that the drop to 9.0’ satisfies the draw down requirement for August and therefore can remain until September 1st when we will need to drop another 2 inches.
The current policy has been a great success as it has virtually eliminated the access problems that existed in the previous two seasons. Residents report unfettered access to their docks and visitors have had no difficulty at area boat launches. Water quality is greatly improved over the past two seasons as in 2013 we had large patches of algal scum covering the lake as early as Fathers Day; this year scum has yet to surface. Interestingly water contact advisories were posted in the same week each year based on Microcystin levels. With the drop in level the algae has concentrated in number as the same number of cells now is suspended in a smaller volume of water.
So today the lake is far from pristine; we have a great deal of algae in the water column but we are light years ahead of the past two seasons. Unfortunately the algae has begun to surface; but we all have enjoyed July and hope for an August primarily free of scum. We have reasonable access to shallower areas and the canals still are covering the lake bottom. These conditions are greatly appreciated so thanks again DLWID Board.
Recent History of Lake Level Decisions
Around 140 interested parties attended the Devils Lake Water Improvement Association Board meeting in April. Included in the mix was Mayor Dick Anderson and most of the Lincoln City Council members. Lake condition and lake level dominated the discussion with nearly 40 testifying during the night. In the end there were no decisions made by the DLWID board other than to begin the water quality testing for the year as requested by the Devils Lake Neighborhood Association in the March meeting.