NEVADA –The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Story County Conservation Board (SCCB) will host a public meeting at 6:30 p.m., Sept. 12th, at the Oriole Shelter in Hickory Grove Park, to discuss plans for improving water quality and recreational opportunities at Hickory Grove Lake in Story County.
Restoration activities planned for the park will be presented at the meeting, along with an opportunity for the public to express their comments and ask questions about the long term management and improvement plan.
Construction planned for the lake includes in-park watershed improvements to stabilize areas that are actively eroding within the park and rehabilitate existing sediment catch basins to prevent nutrient and sediment pollution from entering the lake.
Planned in-lake restoration work includes removing excess sediment from arms of the lake, shoreline stabilization fish habitat improvements, and updating the lake’s outlet infrastructure. Work is slated to begin this fall and will likely be completed in the next 2-4 years.
Hickory Grove Lake is currently listed on the State’s list of Impaired Waters due to high levels of indicator bacteria (E.coli) and algae. The overall goal of this restoration project is to improve water quality and recreational opportunities at the lake and remove the lake from the Impaired Waters List.
Any person attending the public meeting and has special requirements such as those related to mobility or hearing impairments should contact the DNR or ADA Coordinator at 515-725-8200, Relay Iowa TTY Service 800-735-7942, or Webmaster@dnr.iowa.gov, and advise of specific needs.