Pebble Lake pumping a possible fix

By Bob Williams | The Daily Journal

Published Tuesday, August 21, 2007

The number of options for helping solve Pebble Lake’s high water problems has been whittled to two after a review Monday by the Fergus Falls City Council.

What seems the most viable solution is to directly pump the water through pipework straight into the Otter Tail River.

“That is the one sure solution where water stays in the pipe until it gets in the river and the only viable option to truly control the lake level,” City Engineer Dan Edwards said.

Resident Perry Werner addressed his concerns to the council in favor of the permanent solution.

“This has been an issue and a problem for 30 years,” he said. “I am urging you to do something to take care of this.”

Werner cited the importance of the Pebble Lake beach area, from conversations with a former lifeguard, of times when over 1,000 people utilized the beach area per day compared to relatively reduced numbers now.

The second option involves temporary pumping and possible irrigation of the campgrounds and ball parks in DeLagoon Park. According to Edwards, irrigation could remove two to three inches of lake water at best.

Straight irrigation is not an option due to the minimal impact it would have on the level of the lake.

“This option provides a definite benefit to the park once the data is worked out for U.S. Fish and Wildlife to review the impacts,” he said. “The Park Department would like to irrigate the ball fields. It’s a good combination and that’s the reason we want to explore it.”

Possible irrigation of the Pebble Lake golf course to rid the area of more water is more difficult seeing as the course has an existing irrigation system. It takes more upkeep on nutrient control and aquatic life maintenance when modifying an already existing irrigation system.

Other options, including pumping from Pebble Lake to the Twin Slough area, through the storm sewer system into Grotto Lake, were negated due to the expense of pumping three times and possible adverse effects on the sloughs.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife, along with the Department of Natural Resources have voiced concerns regarding fish and aquatic life being introduced to the sloughs from Pebble Lake. Beyond the cost of pumping, more expenses would be incurred building fish traps and control structures, especially when pumping into an open water channel. Edwards described the plan as impractical and attaining the permits would be difficult.

Edwards recommended closing the hearing and allowing staff to collect data and come back to committee on actual costs and restrictions on each remaining option with the council prepared to make a decision at that time.