Heavy Rains bring 5th largest River Flow in 24 Years
Heavy rains in the Middle Raccoon basin on May 22 brought the 5th largest water flow into the lake in 24 years. Four to five inch reports were common, much of it coming in a severe thunderstorm on Saturday evening.
       
       The rains, on top of previous rainy weather, resulted in high amounts of floating debris that overwhelmed the debris boom at the upper end of the lake. The powerful flow of around 7000 cubic feet of water per second, also resulted in heavy siltation in the far upper reaches of the lake that have been recently dredged. Preliminary measurements showed at least a quarter of a million yards of material had been deposited in the immediate area below Fansler bridge.
       
       As of June 10, LPA crews had removed 280 loads of logs and floating material from the water as a result of the May 22 event. Previously, over 60 loads of material had been removed from a locally heavy rain in the Burchfield Cove area. The total loads of material removed almost double the previous record for an entire season.
       
       At one time eight LPA boats were in the water with personnel from the dredge, water, maintenance and security departments. The skimming boat, Enterprize, operated over 90 hours the week after the event.
       
       As of June 1, personnel were still removing floating material that had spread to all parts of the lake by strong variable winds and wave action. Several days of strong winds made skimmer boat operation difficult.
       
       The cooperation of the LPA staff—full-timers and summer help-- was essential in working the hours necessary to get the situation improved significantly by the holiday weekend.
       

What It Costs to Clean Up
A major flood and debris event doesn’t happen that often, fortunately. Even though many of the employees involved in the clean-up would be working anyway, their time value and other expenses spent logging, trucking, and cleaning (with overtime) amounted to a conservative estimate of $30,000 as of May 31. This includes the time spent by hourly and salaried personnel since the rain event of May 22 and estimates of incidental expenses.
       

Storm Changes Dredge Plans
The May 22nd flood flow event has forced a change in the dredging plans for 2004.
       The deposition of an estimated 250,000 cubic yards of material directly below the Fansler bridge has been verified. Additional siltation below that will probably raise the total deposited in the event much higher.
       
       The HORIZON dredge will stay in the area below Fansler bridge indefinitely to work on the fresh deposits. Plans had previously been to complete that area and then move to several coves in the rest of the lake for maintenance dredging.
       
       The advantage of remaining in the area is that silt is more likely to stay in this far upper portion of the lake if depth is maintained and the water can slow down to drop its load of silt, sand and gravel.
       
       Historic calculations have shown an average of almost half a million cubic yards of silt annually being deposited in Lake Panorama. The past several years have been ones of low stream flows and minor siltation. 2004 will probably keep the average up.
       

FAQs—Beach Water Quality
The LPA is monitoring beach water quality this season and using the same measuring and reporting techniques as the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
       
       Two types of signs are being used at the LPA beaches—Boulder, Shady and Sunset.
       An advisory sign tells members how to keep the risks of infection from lake water to a minimum at any time. It’s recommendations include not swimming after heavy rains, avoiding swallowing lake water, making sure infants swimming have clean diapers and avoiding swimming when ill or with unhealed wounds.
       
       The “Swimming Not Recommended” signs are only posted during the weeks that bacteria tests exceed the levels designated as safe by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Tests are taken every Tuesday and results are received by Friday morning. The testing is done using procedures approved by the Iowa Hygienic Laboratory.
       
       Can we swim when the “Swimming Not Recommended” sign is up?
        The LPA (as well as the State of Iowa) does not close beaches when bacteria indicators are high, however, the risk of infection is increased considerably.
       
       What will happen if we swallow lake water with high indicator bacteria levels?
        It is possible that healthy individuals may have little or no problem, however gastro-intestinal ailments are likely results of ingesting water. Small children, senior citizens, people with immune deficiencies of various kinds, and people with unhealed wounds are at high risk for infection and should not swim.
       
       Is the water quality worse now?
        No, conditions have always varied. We are now simply taking formal tests and reporting when results are over standard numbers.
       
       Is the water ever safe to drink?
        Actually, no matter what the appearance of the water, there is always a chance that lake water will have organisms that are harmful to people. The lake environment is naturally home to many beneficial, as well as, detrimental microorganisms.
       
       What numbers are used to determine safe swimming?
        The LPA policy adopts the same units as the Iowa DNR uses at State beaches. Two numbers are significant. Each test is for E-coli, a bacteria that indicates the presence of other harmful bacteria. The weekly result, if over 235 units of E-coli, will result in the beach being posted. A more general number—the cumulative results of 5 tests over a 30-day period is used, called the geometric mean. If that calculated number exceeds 135 units, it indicates poor overall conditions. LPA beaches will be posted using the most recent one-day test.
       
       How accurate are the numbers for swimming safety?
        Realistically, the numbers are only good for the time they are taken. Conditions can change rapidly. Several days of sunshine, for example, can reduce bacterial levels considerably. But conditions can change the other way also. The once per week test gives a good guideline and the 30-day calculation gives an overall quality score.
       
       Can you tell if its safe by looking?
        Generally, if the water looks murky, bacterial levels are probably high. Suspended silt harbors bacteria. Usually after a heavy rain, if the water is silty or lots of debris are present, levels are probably high.
       
       Do the numbers at one beach match the others?
        No. Conditions may allow a couple of beaches to test very well and a third to show high levels. If one beach has the signs up, it does not necessarily mean that the other beaches are unsafe for swimming. You may contact the office if you want to check.
        Historically, Sunset Beach tests slightly higher for bacteria, most likely because there is more silt suspended in the water there due to bottom conditions and wave action.
       
       When will you know if the water is clean again?
        We are currently taking tests weekly and will post or remove signs on Fridays before the weekend.
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       

Boating Rule Change Reminder
A new rule this year for boating is that towables should be kept out of the marina area. This only makes sense as far as safety for all involved is concerned.

REPORT PROBLEMS When They Happen
A frustration for the LPA staff is a report from a member that goes something like this—
        “A boat was speeding in our cove last Tuesday!”
       
        That doesn’t help much. It doesn’t help the member who had the complaint…and it doesn’t help the Association staff to take care of it several days after the fact. Information that is sketchy and complaints that are old are of no value to solving problems and only cause more frustration.
       
        If you see an obvious violation, please report it to the LPA immediately. Try to observe as much as possible about the violation—for example—a boat description, the time, any numbers off the boat, where it was headed, how many people were in it, etc. These observations—whether for land or water violations—can result in those responsible ending up paying fines or losing privileges.
       
        Then call security at 755 3101 and make your report. Cell phones and radio communications can make it possible for fairly quick response to all areas of the lake. The LPA staff understands that not every violation is going to be taken care of, but with the eyes and ears of the membership cooperating, many more serious violators can be dealt with, and that will improve our development for all concerned.
       
       

Reduce Those Skeeters
The mosquito season will soon be upon us. To help reduce the number of the pesky critters and reduce the chances (though already small) of spreading of the West Nile virus, the LPA is promoting a two-pronged approach to reducing mosquito numbers.
        Since the LPA has almost ten square miles of land, spraying to kill adult mosquitoes would be prohibitively expensive. There are limitations to using spray to kill adult mosquitoes, too, which include the fact that pesticides must be used, they must be used weekly to keep adult populations down, timing of spray is critical, and weather conditions can ruin the effectiveness. Instead, the LPA has chosen to treat developing mosquito larvae instead.
        The first approach is to reduce the number of breeding areas for mosquitoes and to treat the remaining areas with products that kill or inhibit the hatched larvae from developing into adults. Mosquitoes require standing or stagnant water for their eggs to hatch and for the larvae to develop. (The lake itself, except in quiet backwaters, is not a good environment for mosquito development.) The LPA maintenance staff has graded and drained several small areas and some drain tiles have been repaired. In addition, over a hundred small areas on LPA property are being treated with larvae killing bacteria and a few with growth regulators.
        These substances are very low in toxicity and serve to keep the numbers of mosquitoes down by killing the larvae or causing them to be unable to mature. There are several different kinds of mosquitoes at the Lake, and some travel great distances from areas that cannot be treated. Fortunately, the primary mosquito that carries West Nile Virus only travels a quarter mile or so from where it hatches. This is the mosquito that should be most reduced by the LPA larvacide program.
        The second approach is for LPA members to be sure that they are not contributing to their own mosquito problem. Members should look for all forms of standing water on their property. Stagnant water can be found in cans, pails, hollow posts, bird baths, depressions in the yard, hollow trees, the ditches, in the culvert, caught on boat covers, and even in rain gutters. Landscape ponds are an ideal breeding ground. It only takes 4 to 12 days for eggs to hatch and mature into adults, so draining or changing water or treating should be done to prevent mosquito eggs from hatching. A number of products are available to safely treat those kinds of areas at your local hardware, building center, or garden shop.
        Additionally, to reduce your risk of the spread of West Nile virus, people should avoid being outside at the times of peak mosquito activity—early morning and just after sunset.
        Repellent containing DEET is recommended. Long sleeve shirt and pants are a good idea during peak activity also.
        Together, the LPA and members can reduce the local population of mosquitoes and provide a safer environment for outdoor activity.
       

Lake Panorama National Questions
The LPN course is owned by the Lake Panorama Association and leased and managed by Progressive Development, Inc., a subsidiary of the Guthrie County REC. PDI owns the conference center and holds the lease for operation of the golf course for over thirty more years. PDI is searching for another lessor and/or purchaser for its interest in the Golf Course and Conference Center.
       

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. High resolution pix are preferred, so that they can be edited for the different purposes on the website.
       
        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!