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Lake Geode Restoration Project Nears Completion

It seems that everyone in Southeast Iowa has a memory at Geode State Park, whether it involves camping, fishing, or just spending time at the lake.

Robert Morrison has lived in Southeast Iowa most of his life and he loves to fish. He said Geode was his favorite spot. "I miss it, I hope they get it back going," Morrison said.

"I'd like to fish it once more in my lifetime," Morrison added with laughter.

Credit Robert Morrison
Alex Malcom catches his first fish at Lake Geode, before it was drained. (2016)

He said Lake Geode has always been a special place for his family. He said he took his grandson Alex fishing there, where he caught his first fish.

"A little bluegill around 3 inches long," Morrison said.

He said right after catching that fish, his grandson accidentally fell in the lake, requiring Robert to fish Alex out. That's just one of many memories they have at Geode.

They haven’t been able to create memories there for a while now because the Iowa Department of Natural Resources drained the lake in fall of 2017. The DNR has been working since then to restore the lake bottom.

Chad Dolan, the DNR's Fishery Biologist, said they've been removing decades of built up sediment.

"We had lost about 13 acres of surface area in the lake since it's construction back in 1950," Dolan said.

He said the work took a bit longer than originally planned, but said he's never worked on a project that didn't have some construction setbacks. He pointed to similar work that was done at Lake Darling in Washington County, which he said took six years to complete.

Dolan said during the course of the work at Geode, the lake drain valve had to be replaced, and work was done on the concrete spillway. He said the DNR also had to repair shorelines that had eroded over time.

Dolan said the work on the lake bottom has now been completed and the drain was closed on March 24, so now the lake will start filling.

(UPDATE: Dolan says they ran into issues closing the drain valve on the 24th, but the issue should be resolved early during the week of March 29)

"Given the spring thaw, and pending spring rains that we're going to get, the lake will probably fill very quickly," Dolan said.

But it will be a while longer before people can fish the lake. Dolan said the first fish will be stocked this fall.

"So by October we'll be stocking the lake with Bluegills, then the following spring we'll be stocking Largemouth Bass and Channel Cat, then the next year stocking Black Crappie," Dolan said, adding that Red Eared Sunfish will also be stocked in the lake.

Dolan said many of the panfish could be catchable size within a few years, but it could take longer for the other species.

Dolan said a lot of work has gone into creating fish habitats in the lake. He said the DNR teamed up with students at Southeastern Community College to create what he calls "Octo-Habitat Structures" which have been placed across the lake bottom.

"[It's] a habitat built from a 5-gallon bucket, some quick-crete, and some flexible PVC stuck into these buckets to almost make some little trees or bushes." He also said visitors might notice earthen mounds, fishing jetties, and rock piles that have been built during the restoration project.

Dolan said it is possible the lake's beach could be open this summer. "All the beach sand has been replaced, so we're definitely anticipating that there could potentially be a recreation season," Dolan said.

The beach opening up would be great news for Dave Smith, the President of non-profit group Friends of Geode. They’ve spent several years raising funds to restore the old concession building. He said they want to turn it into a camp store and offer boat rentals.

“(The) Main thing is going to be non-motorized boat rentals, like canoes and kayaks, maybe some stand up paddleboards and paddleboats, things like that," Smith said.

He hopes to complete some renovations on the building this year and open by next year. Smith said the profits would go back into the park.

Smith said the group has raised more than $40,000 so far with "Fun Day" events, which included 5K, 10K, and ruck runs through the trails surrounding the lake. He said COVID-19 stopped them from having events in 2020.

The group's fundraising goal is $140,000, but “If we get to a halfway point, about $60,000 or $70,000, we can apply for matching grants," Smith said.

Smith said he hopes to hold another "Fun Day" event at the park this fall, if the COVID-19 situation allows it. In the meantime they are selling books and still taking donations. You can find more information on their website or Facebook page.

“It (Geode State Park) has a special meaning for a lot of people around here. There are a lot of people excited about it," Smith said about the renovation project.

It's been four years since Lake Geode was drained, but in a few months it will be full of water again. And in southeast Iowa, people can get back out and start making even more memories at Geode State Park.

Tri States Public Radio produced this story.  TSPR relies on financial support from our readers and listeners in order to provide coverage of the issues that matter to west central Illinois, southeast Iowa, and northeast Missouri. As someone who values the content created by TSPR's news department please consider making a financial contribution.

David Hightower is a former reporter at Tri States Public Radio.