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Written by David Lee
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February 2012 |
Welcome members to BLHA 2012! This definitely is the year we will have a fully drained lake. That's good and bad news. It is unfortunate that we will not have use of the lake; however we are also "on our way" towards repairing the dam and restoring the lake.
First, let me take a moment to thank our ex-president Chip McDaniel for his superb work during the last two years. His dedication and leadership drove many new activities and services, including the addition of the bathrooms, pavilion and kid's play fort at the beach, the addition of the irrigation system at the picnic grounds, and the addition of numerous new events including the Valentine's Dance, the Chili Cook-off and BLHA's increased involvement in the 4th of July festivities. Chip will continue to play an important role in the BLHA as a member of the Lake Restoration Committee. If you see Chip around, please let him know how much you appreciate his dedication to our association. And give LeAnne a big thanks as well – she was always there to support BLHA and Chip.
By the time you read this, we will already have held our first major event – the Valentine's Dance. Spencer Merrell has joined the Board to lead the Events Committee. Spencer has lots of energy and new ideas for events this year and these will be communicated to you throughout the year.
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Written by Steve Seitz
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February 2012 |
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The long awaited start of dam construction is underway. On Wednesday, February 8, equipment was digging a trench on the dam to lower the siphons. Water began to be released from the lake on Friday, February 10. Some facts you may not be aware of:
- This will be the first time the lake has been completely drained since construction in 1950
- As of February 1, the lake was at about 50% capacity with an elevation approximately 952', down 22'
Upon meeting with J.M. Wilkerson Construction's Senior Project Manager to discuss plans for lowering the lake and removal of the fish, we have the following to report. J.M. Wilkerson is in the process of contacting companies to secure bids for the harvesting of the fish. Following are the dam restoration project milestones:
| March: | Lake lowered to elevation of 940' |
| April: | Pumps lower lake to elevation of 908' |
| April: | Fish harvesting |
Fish Harvesting:
J.M. Wilkerson Construction will subcontract with a professional fish management firm that will utilize a combination of electro-shocking and netting to harvest the fish.
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Written by Bill Hunkapiller
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February 2012 |
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A new committee founded in 2012 by BLHA is the Lake Restoration Committee. This committee is responsible for assessing, developing and offering solutions to restoring the fishing within Berkeley Lake. Our first meeting was February 1. The committee/volunteers consists of Bill Hunkapiller, Steve Seitz, Dudley Simpson, Bob Smith, Tom Dyer, Tom Koenig, Dick Lackey, Tommy Green, Randy Johnson, Tom Kitchens and Phil Johnson.
Together we represent over 300 years of fishing experience and are dedicated to not only restoring the fishing, but having an improved and more balanced fishery than we had prior to the dam repair.
Currently the Committee is working with biologists and representatives from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, The University of Georgia and several private lake management companies to develop short and long term plans for the restoration. We have identified a stocking plan with the Department of Natural Resources to restore the Bass, Bream and Catfish populations to the lake. The execution of that stocking plan will be contingent upon the schedule of the dam repairs.
Other than a few sunken trees or remaining stumps from when the lake was created, Berkeley Lake is nearly void of habitat for fish. The committee has started to build fish habitat, as approved by BLHA and the Department of Natural Resources, following industry standards and best practices so the fish we stock will have proper habitat to thrive. The committee is preparing a plan to request donations of both money and approved material, as well as securing volunteers from the BLHA membership, Boys and Girl Scouts of America and local businesses to construct these habitat sites. The committee is working with BLHA, industry experts, biologists and our own 300+ years of experience to restock the lake, build environmental habitat for fish and ultimately restore the fishing to Berkeley Lake.
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Written by Spencer Merrell
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February 2012 |
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For those of you whom I haven't met, my name is Spencer Merrell and I am the new Events Chair for BLHA. My wife, Catalina, and I have lived in Berkeley Lake since 2008, in which time we've been blessed with three boys: Parker (3), Lucas (2), and Connor (8 months). Berkeley Lake has been home for us for the majority of time that we've been in Atlanta, and consider ourselves very fortunate to have stumbled across such a gem of a community in North Georgia.
Since this is the first Reflections that I've contributed to, I thought that I'd write briefly about the main reason why my wife and I decided that it was important that I volunteer as the Events Chair this year.
As a community we've hit a point where some of our longer- term volunteers are ready to pass the baton in some areas of community events. Particularly, some of the volunteers who started working / hosting particular events when their children were young are finding their enthusiasm for children-focused events fading. As their children are in their 20's, I don't struggle to understand their rationale.
Unfortunately for our community, as these individuals begin to cut back on the events they once breathed to life, some of our most engaging events run the risk of dying out. Just look at the Fall Festival. I was told that last year, when BLOSOMS voted on whether they would host that event again (which, by the way, the city has sponsored in the past), there wasn't much support. Actually, do you know how many women voted in favor of continuing the event? Not one!
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Written by Chip McDaniel
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October 2011 |
As you can see the lake is draining. Bids for the City's dam repair project were due in to the City on September 29. The Board tells us that we can expect to see dirt moved beginning in November.
I have some updates related to the various City projects. Please understand that for the most part I'm repeating what I've been told about these efforts, but I know that everyone is interested and I want to provide an update. Please direct all questions about these projects to your City Representatives. There have been many questions about the fish, and the potential stink of the exposed lake bottom. The City has been careful to include fish removal in the project, and I quote:
All fish in Berkeley Lake shall be removed in a quick and legal manner. The odor of dead fish shall be kept to an absolute minimum and odor for more than a week is not allowed. Fish from the lake shall not be transported into the Chattahoochee River. The use of poison or chemicals is not an acceptable way to remove the fish. Shocking and netting were both discussed as being possible methods. The Contractor shall submit a plan (post- award) about how fish are to be removed. It was noted that some citizens may want to be involved in receiving the fish that are harvested and some volunteers are interested in getting the fish quickly to local food coops which might distribute them to needy citizens.
If you are interested in volunteering for this effort please contact the City. We certainly can't guarantee that this will eliminate the entire odor from the project, but the City is being proactive.
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