A Loon Lake Problem

 

In my previous article titled "The Anatomy of a Breaching", the presence of rocks inside the Gregory Lane culvert was identified as one of the causes of the Loon Lake flood of 2013. This picture shows those rocks plus other rocks that were added as construction progressed.

The rocks prevent the culvert from passing sufficient water to help reduce flooding. And by restricting, they also cause higher lake water levels.

This fall, Loon Lake's water levels are higher than they have been in over four decades.

Higher lake water can be responsible for increased shoreline erosion, a reduction in the flushing ability of the lake, and an increased risk in future years of severe flooding during Springtime freshets.

The risk of severe flooding going forward is even worse now because the Gregory Lane causeway was made higher during repairs in 2013. If there is a weather event such as a prolonged thaw combined with frozen ground and a rainfall event, flooding will be worse than 2013 since more waters will be forced to lowlands.

Work to remove the excess rocks has been scheduled for October 24, 2013.

And I truly hope the work is successful.