Dam Repairs Continue
Repairs to the Lake Panorama Dam are continuing at a slow but steady pace. The hydraulic line replacement has been completed. New stainless steel hydraulic lines replaced old lines and new attachments to the dam structure should provide safer and more reliable performance. The hydraulic lines operate the bascule gate which is used to control water level.
        A new dam gauge was placed in the dam gate by local contractors. The gauge gives precise measurements on the angle of dam for more efficient control of water flow by the dam operator. Very small changes in the angle of the bascule gate result in large changes in flow in the river below.
        Other contractors are sealing the floor of the concrete spillway. Old caulking has worn away in some areas exposing the concrete to possible water penetration and undermining. Some small areas of broken surface concrete are also being repaired. New caulking is being done on the outside and inside the main spillway. The emergency spillway has also been repaired. A few cracks in the superstructure of the dam are also being repaired by injecting repair material directly into the cracks.
       

2003 Personal Watercraft Changes in rules
The LPA Board has voted to require ALL Personal Watercraft operators under age 18 to take the Iowa DNR boating test and have the certificate on their person while operating. The LPA does permit those aged 16 and older to operate jet skis on the lake.
       The requirement will include those riding solo AND those operating the craft with an adult. If the youth is actually operating the craft, even with an adult, the certificate will be required.
        The ruling was in conjunction to the new Iowa State rules, modified by the LPA limits on operator age. Operators with the background of studying and passing the boating test should be much safer operators and have familiarity, not only with personal watercraft, but all of the basic “rules of the road” for boating. This is especially important for safety at Lake Panorama, due to the long and narrow nature of the lake.
        Study and test materials (it’s a mail in test) are presently available at the Lake office. They can also be obtained from the DNR in Des Moines. Youth are encouraged to get the materials early. A local training course will be organized in the spring.
       
       

2003 Budget Approved
The 2003 budget was approved by the LPA Board at their November meeting.
       Both expenditures and revenue are forecasted to be lower than 2002, mostly due to changes in dredging time and income. The dredge will be completing the main portion of the clean-up started in 1998. Dredging will continue, but on a lesser scale, with “maintenance” dredging to keep up with inflow starting sometime in 2004.
       Capital expenditures are mostly routine equipment upgrades. Some major improvements budgeted are a new restroom at Boulder Beach, back-up power supply for the dam operations and engineering for a new water storage structure for 2004. Additions to the maintenance budget for roads will be used to improve and seal coat rocked streets with homes.
       

35th Anniversary Date Set
Celebration of the 35th Anniversary of the Lake Panorama Association will be held Saturday July 19th, at Boulder Beach. Watch for details.

Informational Meeting Date Set.
February 1 will be the date for an informational meeting for the LPA Board to field questions on proposed changes in the governing documents of the Association.
       The Restrictive Covenants expire in 2007, and need revisions to update the information and bring it into the 21st century. Revisions to the By-Laws will also be presented at that time. The restrictive covenants are the documents that are recorded in Guthrie County. All LPA development property is subject to the restrictions placed on the property at the beginning. These restrictions need some wording changes due to the changes that have taken place since the early days.
        By-laws govern how the Association operates and have been revised a number of times. Proposals are being hammered out at the LPA board meetings and will be discussed at the informational meeting.