December 18, 2012
Lake Delhi Public Access Plan Amendment to the June 2012 Public Access Plan presented to the Iowa Legislature.
The Lake Delhi Public Access Update:
In June of 2012 the Lake Delhi Combined Recreational Facility and Water Quality District (District) submitted to the Iowa Legislature a plan to improve Public access to Lake Delhi. In the plan submitted it identified an overview of all of the current public recreational facilities in and around Lake Delhi.
This update is intended to be a continuation from the original plan and to reinforce the commitment made by the Lake Taxing District to continue to improve public access and to enhance the public recreational opportunities within the Lake Delhi area. As with the original plan, the implementation of many of the initiatives will depend on the availability of funds.
Key Stakeholders involved in updated plan:
It is important to acknowledge that the District has been working with multiple key Stakeholders who have partnered together to work on providing even further public recreational amenities and access to Lake Delhi.
A partial listing of the parties involved:
- The Lake Delhi Combined Recreational Facility and Water Quality District
- Local Businesses
- Community members and associations
- Local Lake Delhi property owners
- Delaware County departments and officials
- Iowa DNR
- House and Senate members of the Legislature
The Lake District’s focus in the amendment is to better clarify the intentions to provide additional public access in the following five areas:
1) Additional boat ramp made available to the public
Boat ramp development
A. Identification of location – Turtle Creek Recreational area – east county gravel road converted to access
B. Available to the public free of charge
C. Provides access to main channel – Lake Delhi
D. Under jurisdiction of county government which could provide future maintenance and upkeep
E. Access road to boat ramp under jurisdiction of county
F. Description – – – size and cost estimates
40 ft. W x 100 ft. L x 10 in. D – Double lane cement ramp
- concrete 125cy $ 8,125
- installation 8,000
- rebar 4,000
- road rock 3,000
- grading on ramp 3,000
Total $26,125
2) Additional public parking
Boat trailer and vehicle parking lot
A. Identification of location – Turtle Creek Recreational area – east side
B. Available to the public free of charge
C. Under jurisdiction of county government which could provide future maintenance and upkeep
D. Description – – – size and cost estimates
150 ft. W x 200 ft. L x 8 in. D – Sized to accommodate a minimum of 30 boat and trailer rigs.
Grading and rock
Total $16,500
3) Additional recreational facilities/services
Two public pit restroom buildings – ADA compliant
A. Identification of location – Turtle Creek Recreational area –
- one on the east side
- one on the west side
B. Under jurisdiction of county government
C. Description – – – size and cost estimates
- Pre-cast cement above ground structure with underground pit
- Two compartments – separate areas for men and women
$18,000 each
x 2 buildings
Total $36,000
4) Additional portage for portable watercraft (canoe, kayaks etc.)
Canoe, kayak and portable water craft access
A. Develop an access for this purpose
B. Identification of location – Turtle Creek Recreational area – west side
C. Under jurisdiction of county government which will provide future maintenance and upkeep
D. Access provided through park road under jurisdiction of county
E. Provides access to main channel – Lake Delhi
F. Cost estimate – paid by County Conservation
5) Additional public beach and shoreline access for recreational angling and observation
Public beach areas
A. Identification of location – Turtle Creek Recreational area –
- one on the east side
- one on the west side
B. Under jurisdiction of county government – access available by park road
C. Available to the public free of charge
D. Description size – to be determined
Cost estimate: $ 6,000 each
x 2 beaches
Total $12,000
Shoreline fishing access
A. Identification of location – Turtle Creek Recreational area – west side – county gravel converted to access
B. Under jurisdiction of county government which could provide future maintenance and upkeep
C. Access road to shoreline under jurisdiction of county
D. Provides access to main channel – Lake Delhi
E. Description – – – size and cost estimates
Development of a minimum of two u-shaped fishing platforms, along with a minimum of three pre-cast concrete benches
Cost estimates:
Concert benches – $500. Each x 3 = $1,500
U-shaped platforms – $2,000. Each x 2 = $4,000
Grade work $3,000
Total $8,500
Additional Initiatives
Silt catch basin
A. Identification of location – Turtle Creek Recreational area on the outlet of Turtle Creek, before entering the backwater area
B. Under jurisdiction of county government which could provide future maintenance, upkeep and access
C. Size to be determined in consultation with the NRCS
Cost estimates – $18,000 each
x 2
Total $36,000
To accomplish many of the items listed above, it will be necessary to move the bridge across Turtle Creek at an approximate cost of $500,000. It is expected that these initiatives will be cost effective if accomplished while there is no water in the existing impoundment and accomplished during the 2013 calendar year based on the availability of funding.
Canoe/Kayak portage at the dam
The Department of Natural Resources has requested that the Lake Taxing District investigate the possibility of installing a portage facility that would provide access around the dam structure. This would require a point upstream and downstream from the dam structure for paddle sport craft to exit and reenter the river, as well as a trail between the two points. The Lake Taxing District engineers and the Dam Safety department of the DNR are working to determine a location that would be cost effective for such a structure.
Summary:
- The District is working very closely with all Stakeholders and specifically multiple Delaware County Departments to combine Lake Delhi owned property and County owned property into a new recreational facility for the public to enjoy. The Location of this new facility is near what is currently called the Turtle Creek Recreational area. This new facility will be accessible by county road and have an additional Boat ramp (two lane) with unrestricted access to the lake, additional 50+ parking spaces, and a new beach, additional shoreline access for observation and angling, and restroom public services… The project is in the planning stages with the appropriate teams and cost estimates should be available by January 31, 2013.
- The District is pursuing additional land acquisition and/or easements with private property owners to increase the amount of shoreline access for observation and angling. This process is ongoing and continues to evolve. As options become available we will work with all stakeholders to put plans and cost estimates in place to have further discussions on places and time of year appropriate for various public uses (shoreline fishing, observation, walking trails, ice fishing access, etc.).
- The Island property on the northern most part of the Lake will be owned by the Lake District and is intended to be made available to the public by water and will be appropriately signed by the return of the Lake.
- The District continues to be committed to provide public amenities to other beach area’s already in the Lake District and will remain available to the public.
- Marketing of the new and improved Public Lake Delhi: The Taxing District will work with Delaware County and the local economic development authority beginning in 2013 to better market the variety of recreational opportunities available at Lake Delhi.
The Lake Delhi Combined Recreational Facility and Water Quality District continues to be committed to continue its pursuit for greater public access now and in the future. Our commitment is to continue to make Lake Delhi a premier Eastern Iowa attraction for all to enjoy.
Should you have any questions on this plan, please contact the Lake Delhi Combined Recreational Facility and Water Quality Taxing District Trustee’s at trustees@lakedelhi.org.
Steve Leonard: President
Larry Burger: Vice President
Mary Kray: Clerk
Laurie Kramer: Treasurer
Bruce Schneider: Trustee
Larry Peter: Trustee
Lamont Davidson: Trustee