September 24 Update: Watershed Planning Meetings in October, September Meetings and Kiwanis Park Pump Park Proposal Watershed Planning Meetings – Starting Thursday, October 5 ------------------------------------------------------------ If you care about the future of the lake, come to the community watershed meetings on Thursday, October 5, 2006 and Tuesday, October 24, 2006. The Watershed Planning process is the first step in getting federal, state and local funding for the lake. Without this plan, we cannot apply for government grants. Without public participation there will not be any government funding. Bring your family, friends, neighbors and anyone who wants to help plan for the future of the lake. Attached is a flyer with more info about the meeting. The meetings are sponsored by the Cities of Omaha and Carter Lake. Doors open at 6:00 and the meeting starts at 7:00 PM at the Carter Lake Elementary School, 1105 Redick Blvd in Carter Lake. CLPS Meeting Thursday, September 14 ---------------------------------------------------- (See Website page called “monthly meetings” for more information) Pat O'Brien from the Nebraska DEQ told us all about TMDL Studies (Total Maximum Daily Load). His presentation is posted on the web site. Terry Hickman from the Nebraska DEQ gave an excellent introduction to Watershed Planning. To learn about what the watershed planning is all about, follow the link on the web site. Peter Parkert discussed Carter Lake Preservation Society's proposal to test the Kiwanis Park Pump. This test will determine if we can use the pump to get quality water into the lake over the winter. The city of Omaha is still evaluating this proposal which is also posted on the web site. Technical Watershed Group Tour the Lake – September 12 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mayor Russ Kramer was the best tour guide! He hosted camera crews from WOWT and KETV on the boats. Check out the web site “In the news” for the link to Channel 7 KETV news cast. Terry Hickman from the NDEQ said that after looking at maps and pictures of Carter Lake, it was great to see the lake up close from the bird’s eye view. Thank you Chuck Lindhorst, Ed Aldemyer and Mark Eibes for driving your pontoons with the technical team. Arlene Lindhorst made a ymmie breakfast casserole and Joan Harder provided the pastries. Swanson Russell Associates are the PR team that worked the publicity for us. Fund Raising for Filling the Lake – Starts NOW --------------------------------------------- We are starting our fund raising campaign to pay for the studies and various alternatives to start getting quality water into the lake. We need your help to raise the money to pay for the testing and pumping solutions. The Carter Lake Preservation Society will be funding the project(s). The donations need to be made to Joan Harder, Treasurer, before we start the projects. What’s happening on the LAKE? --------------------------------- * An immature bald eagle was sited in early September. Channel 7 camera man J P Carter filmed the majestic bird at the lake. See the CLPS web site “In the News” for the link. * A flock of 18 white pelicans stopped this weekend. They are bigger than the geese! * The rubble is almost all laid on the lower level of the shoreline at the Carter Lake Club Park. There is still more grading to be done, but it is starting to take shape. The Carter Lake Maintenance Department is doing an excellent job! * Thanks to the recent rainfall, the lake level is raising. A “lake level monitor” has been placed in the Coronado Keys canal. It looks like the level is now only about 20 – 22 inches below the desired lake elevation of 970.3 feet. Toxic blue green algae and e-coli are at manageable levels. What’s New at Carterlakepreservation.org ------------------------------------------------------- Check out “in the news” Jeanne Eibes was on the front page of the Non Pareil. The Holms Lake in Lincoln Watershed Plan is posted at the bottom of the web page called “Watershed Planning”.