02-04-2004, 10:21 PM
MT. AYR - Representatives of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Adams County Conservation Board, Corning Municipal Water, and others will present details of a plan to lower the Lake Icaria water level, and to renovate the fish populations of Lake Icaria, Binder Lake, and Old Corning Reservoir in the fall of 2004. The meeting will be held at the Corning Community Center at 7 p.m., Feb. 23. Current information about the existing fish populations, renovation options, and water usage will be presented by each agency and concerns of the public will be addressed.
Lake Icaria's fish community has degraded over the last few years. This change has substantially lowered camping, fishing, and recreational revenues at the lake. An over population of yellow bass compounded by extremely high common carp numbers have reduced desired game fish species significantly. Eliminating yellow bass and common carp from the lake, stabilizing the shoreline, and adding fish habitat will improve the lake's fish population. These efforts combined with the extensive soil conservation practices that have taken place in the watershed will further improve the lake's recreational opportunities and water quality.
Binder Lake also contains common carp and yellow bass. Fish sampling during 2003 indicated these fish had increased in numbers to a point that the sport fish were declining in both numbers and quality. A renovation of the fishery would reverse this condition.
Yellow bass have inhabited Old Corning Reservoir in the past. Since water can be pumped into Old Corning Reservoir from Lake Icaria or Binder Lake, fish or fish eggs could therefore be transported along with the pumped water. Possible yellow bass reintroduction into Lake Icaria or Binder Lake will be eliminated by their removal from Old Corning Reservoir.
Detailed planning and coordination of activities between all vested agencies can improve water quality and eliminate undesirable fish species from Corning area lakes. The resulting improvements to the fishery and water quality will eventually bring more economic activity to the area.
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Lake Icaria's fish community has degraded over the last few years. This change has substantially lowered camping, fishing, and recreational revenues at the lake. An over population of yellow bass compounded by extremely high common carp numbers have reduced desired game fish species significantly. Eliminating yellow bass and common carp from the lake, stabilizing the shoreline, and adding fish habitat will improve the lake's fish population. These efforts combined with the extensive soil conservation practices that have taken place in the watershed will further improve the lake's recreational opportunities and water quality.
Binder Lake also contains common carp and yellow bass. Fish sampling during 2003 indicated these fish had increased in numbers to a point that the sport fish were declining in both numbers and quality. A renovation of the fishery would reverse this condition.
Yellow bass have inhabited Old Corning Reservoir in the past. Since water can be pumped into Old Corning Reservoir from Lake Icaria or Binder Lake, fish or fish eggs could therefore be transported along with the pumped water. Possible yellow bass reintroduction into Lake Icaria or Binder Lake will be eliminated by their removal from Old Corning Reservoir.
Detailed planning and coordination of activities between all vested agencies can improve water quality and eliminate undesirable fish species from Corning area lakes. The resulting improvements to the fishery and water quality will eventually bring more economic activity to the area.
[signature]