Phil Explains: water controls in the Eastern Wetlands

How will water be managed in our new wetlands, stream, and lake? Phil explains.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2D3hswDsYRE

Who'll Stop The Rain?

This is the latest aerial photograph of the lake project. Nearly all the changes to the structure are clearly visible, from the new beach sand to the re-sculpted lake bed. The work on the west end of the lake isn't as clearly depicted, but there are tiny construction vehicles---take a close look.

Evidence of the next stage has appeared in the grass next to the Gazebo: the construction of a bio-retention feature designed to manage stormwater run-off from Hemlock, Magnolia, and Clubhouse Drive. Current run-off flows directly into the lake, carrying with it all the pollutants it picks up as it flows downhill. Prior to this installation the city has used a shallow trench and sandbags to direct the water from the street.

The new system will arrest and delay the flow, allowing time for the water to percolate and clean before it makes its way into the lake. The above-ground surface will be planted as a rain garden.

Click on any of the photographs for a closer look.

DredgeFest 2011

look out Bill!

At first it appeared that LakeFest 2011 would be held in spite of the empty lake. However, as these photographs illustrate--LakeFest 2011 was held in celebration of our lake-in-progress.

With the singers, dancers, sculptors and painters and jewelry makers, with the bratwurst and beer, doughnuts and arepas and tomato pie, the beautiful sun and mischevious wind it slowly became obvious the the restoration of the heart of Pine Lake---the lake itself---was the ultimate artistic endeavor.

(that's Will and the willow)

Meanwhile, the beat goes on: the markers next to the Gazebo indicate the initial survey for the rain garden/water management feature soon to be installed.

(and the Pacha Mamas)

The Ladies of the Lake

and The Dames of the Dredge

(a.k.a The Lives Of The Monster Dogs)

Give Me Sand, Lots Of Sand.

If you happened to miss the biggest sandbox in the history of Dekalb County, suffice to say that many of the Pine Lake kids did NOT. If there are photos of the beach frolic that happened several times over the past weekend, please post to the FaceBook site!

(http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pine-Lake-Streambank-Restoration-The-Dredge/109652302459010)

This morning a single bulldozer started spreading the sand across the beach and swimming area, beginning a smooth and graduated slope into the new depth.

The work continues on several fronts: in addition to the beach area and the road work, the new surface for the trail on top of the impoundment (the "back berm") should be laid this week.

Even though the lake of LakeFest won't be in attendance, Floatzilla rages on as Boatzilla. Original "walking boat" designs will enter the competition this year: think "walk or run" instead of "sink or swim."

Become the Boat!

System of a Down

Down goes the road: this creates a spillway for any future flood events. The previous road height created a block in the path of overflow.

Down goes the pitch of the northern stream bank: the finished stream will handle creek flow completely differently from the previous vertical banks. The "new" creek better accommodates rising waters, slows down the rate of flood current, creates better habitat, and addresses erosion problems on both banks.

Down goes the bed of the swimming area: in the next several workdays the engineers will determine the water level at "full pool," which will be demarcated by string attached to posts in the lake bed. Within the next two weeks we can also expect the delivery and installation of fresh beach sand.

Pound by pound and inch by inch the dirt is removed, graded, raked, sculpted, hauled, trenched. Slowly our precious lake takes shape.

All Quiet On The Eastern Front

Why are the machines sitting idle?

On August 22nd the city council voted in a special session to include the swimming area in the scope of the streambank restoration project (a.k.a. "The Dredge"). The army corps of engineers determined that shaping the interior banks of the berm, clearing out under the bridges, and removing silt from the bed of the swimming area qualified as part of the project: this means that the federal money CAN be used to do this work. It will be paid for by the grant.

As part of this additional work, permitting specific to the swim and beach area must be completed before the machines can move in and begin the work. This paperwork turnaround is estimated to take ten days.

This week we can expect to see progress on the north bank of the stream (the house side), where clearing and brush cutting has already started. By mid-week the county will begin preliminaries for adjusting the water line that runs beside the portion of street slated to be lowered for the creation of a spillway (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuPgsABKBmE).

The result? By the time Thanksgiving rolls around the city will begin to see the rewards of the hard work, patience, and difficult choices (e.g.,the necessary tree removal) Come summertime 2012 when we are swimming in a cleaner lake with a newly poured beach of white sand, we'll all be reaping the great benefits of our vastly improved environment.

Phil Explains:Lowering the Road Bed

The latest in the "Phil Explains" videos: Phil describes one of the next steps in the Pine Lake streambank restoration project---watch it here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuPgsABKBmE