ERICSON — Earlier this year, the Lower Loup NRD began work on a few projects at the Pibel Lake Rec Area.
The lake sits in southwest Wheeler County.
The first project was to improve water quality. In the past, the area had been targeted by the Department of Water Quality for high nitrates, phosphorus and mercury counts. The plan was to attack the issue up stream so those problems didn’t occur.
Over the summer and into the fall, the lake was drawn down about 4.5 feet to allow the upper marshy area to drain. After that, a sedimentation basin will be built and refill utilizing precipitation.
In the mean time, temperature and dissolved oxygen levels are being monitored weekly and the NRD says those have remained stable.
Elsewhere at the rec area, the planned construction of a picnic structure have been completed and tables will soon be added.