Water Tower Bids Received
Two bids were received for the 330,000 gallon water standpipe project. Brown-Minneapolis Tank, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, had the low bid of $240,595.
       
       Eight bids were received for the half mile of 8-inch water main extension that will hook up the new standpipe to the water system. Gator Excavating of Clive, Iowa, had the low bid of $63,026.
       
       Work will start this summer, with projected standpipe completion by December. Bids were under the Engineer’s estimates.
       

Upper Basin Rip Rap Continues
Much of the eastern shore of the upper basin has been graded and rip-rapped by the contractor this winter. Finish work will still need to be completed. At the beginning of March, work has been suspended due to soft roads, but should continue as roads firm up later in the spring. The west shoreline has a little less than half of the total project. The project is a joint effort of property owners, the Lake Panorama Rural Improvement Zone and the LPA.
       

Seal Coat Bids Received
Approximately 15 miles of chip seal work will be done on lake streets in 2004. Sta-Bilt Construction of Harlan, had the low bid of $163,024.20 for the work, which is billed on the basis of actual pea rock and asphalt oil that is applied.
       
       Work this year will be only on areas showing deterioration, as the base has been built up by successive applications of rock and asphalt. Most likely, seal coat work will not be done until June or later.
       

Road Embargo In Place on March 1
The 5 ton limit for vehicle weight on lake streets and roads was placed in effect on February 25. The limit is intended to reduce the damage to seal coat roads during the spring thaw period when the road base is very unstable and soft. Members needing to bring contractors or large vehicles onto the development will have to change their plans or contact the office regarding scheduling. The LPA office number is 641 755 2301.
       

New Water Testing Program Adopted
The LPA Board of Directors has approved a new program for water quality monitoring for lake water. The newly adopted staff proposal will duplicate the methods by which the Iowa Department of Natural Resources reports beach water quality.
        Testing will be done weekly beginning in mid April and ending in October. The lake samples will be tested for E. Coli bacteria, a reliable indicator of the presence of animal or human waste in the sample. If levels of the bacterial exceed the limits established, Lake Panorama beaches will be posted with a “Swimming not Recommended” sign with explanatory material. This notice will be visible from the water and will also be present at the marina boat ramp. In addition, signs advising swimmers how to reduce their risk of infection will be provided.
        As all natural and artificial lakes have organisms that can cause health problems in susceptible individuals, this should be an aid in members recognizing those risks.
        It is important to note that conditions vary considerably around the lake. If one beach is posted, others may not be posted. Sample testing is only good for the times and places it is done
       

Digital Pix Wanted
Digital photographs of scenery and activities at Lake Panorama are desired for use on the website and other information.
       
       Contributions can be emailed to info@lakepanorama.org or to lpa@netins.net.
       
       Picture credits will be used, if contributors desire, for pix on the home page or in the panorama pix section.
       
       Many of the website images are contributions from members and former members. Thanks to all!

2003 Lake Statistics
1379 boats and 280 personal watercraft were registered at the Lake in 2003. This compares to 1353 boats and 274 personal watercraft in 2002. For reference, five years ago the number was 1148 boats and 196 personal watercraft.
       
        Of the 1379 boats, 1004 were over 10 horsepower.
       
        54 single memberships, 87 couples, 23 families and 23 students had memberships at the Par 3 course in 1993. 87 is the highest number of couple memberships ever.
       
        36 annual camping permits were issued, the highest since 1990