(Spirit Lake)– Efforts are underway to do an extensive mapping project of the Iowa Great Lakes.
Mike Hawkins of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources says that agency and the U-S Geological Survey are proposing to update contour maps of Big Spirit Lake, East and West Lakes Okoboji. Hawkins says this would be the first time the maps have been updated since the early 1970’s.
Hawkins says the project would utilize the latest in technology, including sonar and G-P-S. He says the information would be extremely beneficial in helping protect water quality, for fishermen, and many others.
Hawkins isn’t sure yet what the total cost of the project would be. He says the U-S-G-S and D-N-R are willing to pick up a portion of the cost. The remainder, he says, would have to come from local sources.
Hawkins and U-S-G-S officials will meet April 23rd with the Iowa Great Lakes Cleanwater Alliance to see if they’d be interested.
