(Ruthven)– A project to restore water quality in Lost Island Lake near Ruthven is starting to show some progress.
The $1.2 million project started a year ago with the commercial removal of rough fish. The lake was seined six times this year with nearly 320,000 pounds of rough fish being removed. Additional seining operations are planned for 2011. Officials say the goal is for a 75 percent reduction in the amount of rough fish in the lake.
Contractors are also installing culverts and five different locations on Lost Island Lake that will serve as barriers to keep carp from entering wetlands.
The culverts will also allow DNR personnel to lower the water level in the wetlands to promote winter fish kill and vegetation growth.
The project is a partnership between the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Palo Alto county, Ducks Unlimited and the Lost Island Protective Association.
It’s scheduled for completion a year from now.
