Study Concludes Lake Level Has Little Influence
The Devils Lake Water Improvement District recently had an erosion study done to determine if and how the lake level affects erosion on properties surrounding Devils Lake. The District specifically requested that the study consider how wave energy, both natural and man made, impact the shoreline as a result of having the lake held at 9.53’ (full exercise of water right), at 9.0’ (partial exercise of water right), and if the lake was to be allowed a natural hydrology without impoundment.
The text of the study, photographs, maps and presentation are available online by following the links at the end of this post. In general, the study concludes, “whether waves are generated by boats or wind, the highly erodible nature of the soils, the presence or absence of sufficient bank stabilization, and the bathymetric slope are likely more influential on shoreline conditions than relatively small changes in lake elevations.” Continue reading
Citing the importance of Devils Lake to the Lincoln City area, city councilors have decided to pursue the idea of a new tax to pay for the installation of sewers throughout the watershed.
