Visitors to the Lake Ahquabi State Park and Hooper Wildlife Management Area south of Indianola may notice a significant change to the area s main body of water between now and spring 2022, affecting local fishing and wildlife.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources plans to slowly drain Hooper Area Pond over the next six weeks to make repairs to the dam s drawdown structure, which helps regulate the pond s water levels. The drainage will last six weeks, starting on May 5, and last until it s refilled in 2022. Lake Ahquabi will be drained later this summer after the Fourth of July for a major overhaul to improve park roads, upgrade campgrounds, fix the lake s water outlet structure and eliminate the gizzard shad population.
Central Iowa bicyclists will soon have easier access to the area s hundreds of miles of trails.
Norwalk recently broke ground on a 2.4 mile, $2.66 million paved trail that will connect with the Great Western Trail northwest of the city in Polk County. Carlisle, Des Moines and Warren County will start construction in 2023 on a 3 mile, $2.8 million connection-trail that will bridge the gap between the 11-mile Summerset Trail and the greater central Iowa trail system.
Both projects, when complete, could potentially bring more commerce to all communities adjacent to the trails, according to local government officials.
Norwalk eases travel of local bikers
Warren Co. Conservation Board takes first step to eliminate director position George Shillcock, Des Moines Register
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The Warren County Conservation Board voted Feb. 10 to start working toward eliminating the staff director position and instead adopting a two co-director structure.
The vote was 3-1 in favor of eliminating the single director position and promoting two other positions to co-director. Board member Ron Miller was the lone nay vote while Board member Sue Boll was not present to make a vote. I m not opposed to this, Board member Joe Schettler said. I think we have the opportunity to implement change to really move the organization forward.