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Big Wall Lake Watershed Project

About the Big Wall Lake Watershed Project

  • What's the problem with Big Wall Lake?
  • What's being done to help Big Wall Lake?
  • What can I do to help?
  • What is the future of Big Wall Lake?
  • Meet the project coordinator

    What's the problem with Big Wall Lake?
    Located in southeastern Wright County, Big Wall Lake landed on the state's impaired waters list in 2002 due to exotic species, which impair its ability to support diverse aquatic life. Invasive species like carp and rice cultivar are causing the impairment. Since the early 1990s, the carp population has exploded, following a period of high water. Carp feeding behavior removes vegetation by stirring up sediment on the lake bottom, making it difficult for plants to grow in the cloudy water. The resulting turbidity prevents the plants from re-establishing themselves, as light cannot penetrate the cloudy water. Carp also uproot vegetation, which is very destructive.

    Additional problems have been caused by the lake being artificially raised six inches in 1974 to hold a higher level of water.
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    What's being done to help Big Wall Lake?
    Connie Roys, district conservationist and project coordinator, can work with you to evaluate your property and identify practices that can help both the lake and your property. Roys can also help find financial assistance to install those practices. Landowners participating in the watershed project can generally get improved financial assistance opportunities.

    In 2006, the Wright County Soil and Water Conservation District completed an inventory of the potential causes of watershed degradation of Big Wall Lake, and presented possible solutions to landowners, cabin owners and recreational users of the lake.

    A partial drawdown of the lake in the winter of 2005-2006 was the jump-start of the project, and was followed by a series of chemical treatments in June 2007 to remove the carp.

    The design of the project included the installation of a water control structure with stop logs to control the water levels in the lake.

    Rodent guards were placed on both ends of the structure and a second channel was constructed to extend the lake.
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    What can I do to help?
    Landowners can consider installing conservation practices to control the amount of sediment, nutrients and other pollutants reaching Big Wall Lake.

    Financial assistance is available, and the benefits extend beyond cleaner water - often conservation practices can produce financial benefits, create recreational opportunities and provide habitat for wildlife.
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    What is the future of Big Wall Lake?
    Connie Roys, district conservationist and project coordinator, believes the future looks promising for Big Wall Lake.

    "Many game birds, waterfowl and other wildlife use this site as it is a high-quality hemi-marsh," said Roys. "It is also a great recreational place and we are doing all we can to improve the watershed and provide for citizens as well as wildlife."
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    Meet the project coordinator
    Connie Roys grew up northeast of Elkader, Iowa and attended Iowa State University. Graduating in 1971 with a degree in agricultural education, Roys became the district conservationist in 1990.

    "I really like my job and enjoy seeing improvements throughout the watershed," said Roys.

    For other ways you can get involved with the Big Wall Lake Watershed Project, contact Connie Roys, district conservationist and project coordinator, at (515) 532-2165 or Connie.Roys@ia.usda.gov
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    Project partners

    • For More Information
    Local:
    Connie Roys
    District Conservationist and Project Coordinator
    (515) 532-2165
    Connie.Roys@ia.usda.gov
    Wright County NRCS Office

    Statewide:
    Steve Hopkins
    DNR Nonpoint Source Program Coordinator
    (515) 281-6402
    Stephen.Hopkins@dnr.iowa.gov

     

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