(Harlan) It’s been ten years since Prairie Rose Lake, southeast of Harlan, went through an extensive restoration project, and today it’s one of the fishing hot spots in Southwest Iowa.
“This is a lake that was staggering along,” said DNR Fisheries Biologist Bryan Hayes. “It never produced great fishing and had issues with common Carp and algae blooms during the summer. To take it from where it was to where it is now is a good deal.”
The $3 million projects on the lake started in July 2011, but the behind-the-scenes part of the plan actually started in 2008. The DNR looked at ways to clear up the water and limit sediment and nutrients from entering the water body. So the DNR hired a Watershed Coordinator who worked with landowners of the 2000 acre watershed providing cost-share money for the installation of 45-miles of terraces along with grassed waterways resulting in the reduction of the sediment and nutrient load to the lake by 60-percent.
“Through the project coordinator, we received good cooperation with the landowners with the watershed,” said Hayes.
Along with the watershed project, the DNR removed the common Carp, installed shoreline rip-rap, built rock reef fishing habitat, and dredged the lake at the upper end to increase water volume.
Hayes says this project wouldn’t have been possible without the Iowa Legislature and Governor’s Lake Restoration Fund. Starting in 2006, the Iowa Legislature began allocating $6-$9 million annually for Lake Restoration Projects. “Before 2006, and before the Lake Restoration funds, we could only put bandaids on things,” stated Hayes. “We could to a $100,000 or $200,000 project at a certain lake, but we couldn’t take a lake like Prairie Rose and spend $3 million. We couldn’t do it.”
The Southwest Iowa Fishing Team State Bass Tournament, held on May 22, is a testament to the success of the Prairie Rose Lake Restoration project. All 25-teams consisting of junior and high school anglers bagged their limit of fish.
