Turkey Creek Dam and Dike Conservancy District board members Todd Mikel, Bill Pipp, Dave Johnston and Carolyn Anderson, listen to a presentation from the district’s legal counsel, who attended the meeting via Zoom. Photo by Deb Patterson.

By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — With the water control device repaired and work progressing on rehabilitation of the dike, Turkey Creek Dam and Dike Conservancy District is looking at its next project — a meeting, hosted by the town, involving all stakeholders regarding lake levels.

Bill Pipp, conservancy president, will be meeting with Dave Wilkinson, Syracuse town manager, to set up a date, hopefully in June, to discuss the reasoning to petition the courts for a dual lake level.

The meeting would be open to the public and include area lake associations, marinas and pier companies. Residents along Turkey Creek and around the lakes are also encouraged to attend. The Department of Natural Resources will also be invited.

The discussion continued on a dual lake level Tuesday afternoon, May 16, at the quarterly meeting of the conservancy district.

Robin (Dust) Young was present to see just how the change would affect her. She resides along Turkey Creek on North Street.

During the meeting, talk of adding more devices to the lake to measure water levels at different locations was noted. Currently devices are providing water levels at the three main inlets to Lake Wawasee. However, the amount of water able to flow through the main channel, under the main channel bridge, railroad bridge and under the Front Street bridge is not known. Pipp noted these areas constrict the amount of water able to leave the lake.

This fall there will be a year’s worth of data on the various lake levels, due to technology already in use. Chad Jonssen, who controls the water control device gates, receives data via his cell phone as to the levels on Lake Wawasee.

Responding to Young’s question, Pipp stated the second level request would make the levels lower, not higher. He stated the technology being looked at and data gathered would let Jonssen know when to let the water out after a rain event or when levels are lowered on Papakeechie.

The goal is to come up with a better control plan of the water control device and to be proactive and not reactive. Up until the past year, operation of the control gates was visual and guesstimates.

The dual lake level request would ask to lower the lake level during October through April and maintain the legal lake level from May through September. However, the request may come three years from now, after more data is collected.

Smaller Project

During the meeting Chris Jeeter with Lawson Fisher Associates was asked to look into what needed to be done to add glacier stone at the dike. Jim Silcox, board member, stated the conservancy has invested taxpayer money on the project. “We did the right thing. This is the right way to invest their money.” He added it would put the project “over the top” as far as appearance.

Jeeter was asked to look into the process as well as potential cost for 500 feet of glacier stone, permitting and companies available to do the project. Jeeter noted he felt the permitting would not be a problem as glacial stone is more accepted. The information is expected to be presented at the third quarter meeting of the board.

A brief discussion was held regarding the budget. It was noted the district will have received three tax draws by the end of the year with enough funds to cover the dike project, engineering fees and general expenses. Based on further evaluation of future expenditures, a reduction in the tax levy is a possibility.

Other matters discussed included preparation to file the deed to the water control device in the conservancy’s name, since an agreement was signed by the town turning over the ownership to the conservancy. The town will still be responsible for operation of the floodgates.

An update on the dike project was heard. Indications are the project will be finished by the end of May. The board will be looking into hiring a contractor for some road repair to South Koko Drive and to have the repair performed correctly.

The board set 3 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15, for its next meeting.