IA DNR: Lake Wapello Water Level Lowered to Fix Broken Pipe

DRAKESVILLE – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will begin an emergency water level drawdown at Lake Wapello Thursday to fix a broken water line that passes through the dam.

“Our major concern is the quick repair of this leak. Without immediate attention the problem may get worse; possibly resulting in damage to the dam itself,” said Mark Flammang, fisheries biologist with the DNR at Lake Rathbun. “The leak currently is somewhere inside the dam and arises from a water line somewhere off shore of the dam. Divers were unable to locate the control valve and inlet today, leaving us with only one other recourse, that being the drawdown of this important resource.”

The lake was built in the 1930s by the CCC to provide recreation and as a water supply to the Wapello fish hatchery, which was the premier fish hatchery in southeast Iowa, until Rathbun began production in 1975. Lake Wapello is home to Lake Wapello State Park, which is a popular park in the area and should be fully functional during the drawdown.

Flammang said the goal is to draw the lake down only as far as is needed to correct this problem.

“Unfortunately, detailed plans from this era are not available and we are unsure where the inlet and valve are actually located. That means we will continually monitor the falling lake level to identify the elevation of this structure. At that time our plan is to seal the leak and water levels will then be allowed to return to normal pool,” Flammang said.

The lake has remained an important recreational water body for the last 70 years. A lake restoration project in 1992 and 1993 vastly improved water quality, angling, and recreational use for park users. However, age has taken its toll and aged water main for the now closed hatchery has began leaking, possibly compromising the structural integrity of the dam.