PALO – A drawdown has begun at the Pleasant Creek Recreation Area located five miles north of Palo in Linn County.
The 401-acre lake is scheduled to be lowered 15 feet for the planned restoration project to start later this fall or early winter. The lake is currently about one foot down and slowly falling.
Two of the three gate valves are open, but the third and largest valve is stuck which is not uncommon for a valve that is almost 40 years old. A contractor has been hired to repair the valve and more aggressive efforts to lower the lake will take place after Labor Day. It will take approximately 4-6 weeks to lower the lake 15 feet, depending on how much rain occurs during that time.
The lake remains open for all recreation, but boaters should be aware that falling water levels may expose new hazards.