Carlyle Lake Final Plan.pdf - Fayette County Soil & Water ...

More documents

Recommendations

Info

“PUBLIC WATERS” ISSUES AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR RECREATIONAL USERS The definition of “public waters” in Illinois emanates from the “Rivers, Lakes and Streams Act,” a piece of legislature passed by the state’s General Assembly in 1911. Language defining what is and is not considered “public” is rather ambiguous but refers to navigability as a major criterion. The agency vested with statutory authority over the state’s rivers and streams, IDNR’s (formerly IDOT’s) Office of Water Resources, issued a list of public waters based upon their commercial navigability (i.e. ability to support barge traffic) which, although challenged by environmental and recreational interests, remains in force today. The list includes about 2500 miles (or about 8%) of the states 33,000 miles of streams. On the remaining 30,000 plus miles of stream (“nonpublic”), the public’s rights to recreate (boat, swim, fish, etc.) are extremely restricted. On the Kaskaskia River, the “public” designation extends from the river’s mouth upstream to a point about 18 river miles above Vandalia (SW ¼, Sec. 31, T8N, R2E, Third Principal Meridian). Below this point, the public may boat, wade or otherwise use the stream for legitimate, lawful purposes. These rights, however, do not extend to trespass on adjacent (riparian) lands when such land is in private ownership. The river can be lawfully accessed from one’s own property (or that of a willing landowner), a park or other publicly owned land, or within the right-of-way of a highway or public road bridge. Those using the river may not camp, litter or otherwise infringe upon the rights of private riparian landowners. Upstream of the aforementioned point, the Kaskaskia is considered “non-public”, so the public has virtually no rights to access or use it without permission of the adjacent landowner. Technically, the bed of the river is owned by whoever owns the adjacent land. This is problematic in areas with established access and public use. For instance, the canoe launch at the Cowden covered bridge allows use of the river within the road right of way but those who canoe more than 50 ft. from the bridge are trespassing. The private boat ramp at Shelbyville allows access to the lake’s tailwater, a popular fishing area, and is probably justifiable from a public safety standpoint. On these “private” stream segments with an established history of recreational use, the state is exploring the possibility of purchasing easements from willing riparian landowners to allow limited, responsible use (i.e. canoeing). WATER MANAGEMENT ASSESSMENT The Corps has striven throughout the past several years, especially since the record high pool level in 1995, to work with upstream and downstream interests. Many new partnering initiatives have been established over the past several years, which include federal and state governments, concerned landowners and interest groups. The Corps is working with the Kaskaskia Watershed Coalition, Shelbyville Watershed Association, Lake Shelbyville Development Association, Mid Kaskaskia Basin Association, Carlyle Lake Association, Okaw River Basin Coalition, Original Kaskaskia Area Wilderness, Kaskaskia Port District and others to fully address water control issues. In 1996, the Corps completed an economic study, which resulted in a model that allows for the economic analysis of impacts at various pool levels and release rates The Corps will continue to strengthen relationships with partners to fully address water management issues. Contingent on available funding, the Carlyle Lake Project plans complete an update of the approved water control manual, which although only a minor revision, will update and replace out of date and inaccurate information in the manual. Water Quality The Corps has maintained water quality records from Lake Shelbyville and Carlyle Lake since 1970. The information includes water temperatures, dissolved oxygen, nitrate and phosphate levels. The Corps just began taking sediment samples three years ago and plans to use the first five years as base line. The Corps has not gathered water quality data from the Kaskaskia River 54
on a regular basis, but does have some information gathered during high water events. The only sampling site on the river is located just above the Kaskaskia Lock and Dam. The Corps has not looked at turbidity in the past but has recently started doing turbidity sampling this year. The most recent monitoring program for Carlyle Lake revealed a good water quality when compared to limits established by the IEPA for general use secondary contact and indigenous aquatic life. Agriculture nutrient runoffs are primary concerns for the lake water quality. Better land management practices, erosion control and buffering zones are methods to reduce these contaminants from entering the lake. Two additional tributary sampling sites are proposed from sediment sampling for next year. Sediment sampling from tributary streams will provide a baseline analysis of inflowing sediments so that future environmental impacts from upgradient sources can be determined. Enhance Wildlife Habitat The Corps has continuously worked to maintain and enhance wildlife habitat (See Updated Carlyle Lake Master Plan). Because Corps dollars are continually decreasing, we are striving to secure outside funding sources to complete work. Funding for two wetland restoration projects has been secured through the IDNR’s Duck Stamp Program. These projects will be completed this year. We will continue to forge new partnerships, which will allow for the Corps areas to be most efficiently managed. The Corps works each year, through educational programming and special events to educate the public about the importance of environmental issues. Thousands of individuals are reached each year through public relations programming efforts. Enhance Recreation on Carlyle Lake A. Boulder Flats – The Corps has an approved plan of action for the Boulder Flats Wetland Restoration Project. Throughout the past few years the Corps has completed a large portion of this project and additional work will be completed this fiscal year and next. IDNR has provided Duck Stamp funds to complete a portion of this project. B. Lack of High Water Boat Ramps – Last year the Corps completed construction of high water boat ramps at Boulder and Coles Creek Recreation Areas and construction of an additional high water launching lane at the Dam East Boat Ramps. Plans and specifications for the construction of a two-lane high water ramp in the Dam West Area are nearing completion and the project is funded for next fiscal year. Construction will be completed prior to next year’s summer recreation season. C. Inadequate Supply of Game Fish – The Corps will continue to work with the IDNR to increase the volume of game fish in Carlyle Lake. Currently the Corps assists the IDNR with the management of two brood ponds at the project. The IDNR is constructing a brood pond complex in the Eldon Hazlet State Park, which when completed will greatly enhance the Project’s fisheries. D. Insufficient Support Facilities – Currently three resort developments have the potential for becoming reality. The Corps will continue to be fully supportive of these developments. The Carlyle Lake Master Plan Update process examined visitor needs and uses and addressed the development of new facilities and changes to existing facilities. More than $12.0 million in repairs and improvements are scheduled throughout the next ten years (contingent on available funding). E. Insufficient Publicity by Corps – The Corps will continue to attempt to draw visitors to Carlyle Lake. Because of the 1995 flooding, facilities were closed for an extended period of time, visitation declined in following years. This year, we have seen a more than 25% increase from last year in fees collected which is an indication that campground use is 55
Page 2 and 3:
Table of Contents Carlyle Lake Wate
Page 4 and 5: PLAN OVERVIEW The Carlyle Lake Wate
Page 6 and 7: Kaskaskia Stream Channel Elevations
Page 8 and 9: WATERSHED CONCERNS The Carlyle Lake
Page 10 and 11: WATERSHED DESCRIPTION The Carlyle L
Page 12 and 13: Corn and soybeans are the dominant
Page 14 and 15: generally is high in clay and has a
Page 16 and 17: CLIMATE In winter, the average temp
Page 18 and 19: Also at Hazlet are the historical p
Page 20 and 21: Management anticipates growth at 40
Page 22 and 23: ‣ GENERAL DEAN BRIDGE RECREATION
Page 24: Future Direction and Critical Needs
Page 28 and 29: At the present time out-of-town vis
Page 30 and 31: SOURCE DOCUMENTS: Lake Shelbyville
Page 34 and 35: WATERSHED CONCERNS Soil and Water Q
Page 36: Recreation Issues Enhance recreatio
Page 40 and 41: Over time, municipal and industrial
Page 42 and 43: Another 11% of the cropland in the
Page 44: The Illinois Environmental Protecti
Page 48 and 49: Socio-economic benefits of forested
Page 50 and 51: STATE THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPE
Page 52 and 53: Among the twelve tributary streams
Page 56 and 57: increasing. We will continue to wor
Page 60 and 61: Technical Committee Recommendations
Page 62 and 63: 6. High - Adopt and enforce SWCD er
Page 64: 8. Low/Med. - Promote voluntary con
Page 67 and 68: Table 1: Watershed Demographics Sou
Page 69: Insert Climate data here 69
Page 86: Insert Landuse table here 86
Page 90: Insert soil loss by 11 digit HU her
Page 95 and 96: Insert table with sediment delivery
Page 97: Insert HU Maps here (Bond, Clinton,
Page 100 and 101: Montgomery County Acres Quadrangle
Page 102: SUMMARY OF PRIVATE WATER WELL ANALY
show all

Carlyle Lake Final Plan.pdf - Fayette County Soil & Water ...

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?