Don Ketcham initiated the drawdown process on Saturday (October 11, 2008) after successfully attaching the trash grate on the front of the intake and activating the siphoning system. This will be the first time Emerald Lake has been lowered since I moved to this area two years ago so I personally cannot offer any insights on what to expect in the weeks ahead. Based on his past experience, Don suspects the water level will drop 8 vertical inches a day for the next few days and then more slowly thereafter until it reaches the depth of the intake, which is 4-5 feet below the normal water line. Once the water level reaches this point, suction will be lost on the siphoning system and the lake will begin to refill. Throughout this process water will continue to flow into the lake from the northern channel (Chewacla Creek) and the unnamed stream that crosses under Pebbleshore Drive near the Foxchase sewer lift station. Please keep in mind that the flow rates of these feeder streams and the amount of precipitation we receive will ultimately determine how long it will take for the lake's water level to drop and recover.
If you need to relocate a moored vessel or intend to build or repair a dock or make shoreline modifications, I encourage you to finalize those plans ASAP. Don't forget Design Review Board approval is required before commencing construction of any new or modified structure, including docks. Please contact Jim Vallery for further information.
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