Only a couple of weeks of work remains at Lake Darling State Park to remove sediment at the bottom of the drained lake. Fisheries Technician Vance Polton says they hope for permit approval next month followed by favorable weather conditions to get the work done. The contractor can then resume removing dirt from the lake bottom. About 100-thousand cubic yards remains to move.
After that project, there is another project to do other shoreline rehab on the south side of the lake, which is where the campground, beach, and lodge are located. That work does not require the lake to be drained. It could start to return to normal as soon as this summer.
The lake was first drained in 2008 as part of a dam repair project. The lake’s trails and fishing ponds remain open for use.