May 16, 2012
Today the Cedar River keeps flowing right on through Lake Ericson.
Lake Association President Joe Wadas says they can't retain water and refill the lake until they make repairs to the dam and emergency spillway that washed out during the June 2010 flooding.
"Hopefully we can have this memory for your kids and grandkids and greatgrandkids to come and have a great time at," said Wadas.
Wadas says the cost will total up to over $400,000 to fix the emergency spillway and put in new safeguards.
"We're going to have to put in what we're calling a tree guard," said Lake Association Board member Paul Claus. "That'll be a structure out in front of the dam that'll take and help stop the debris from clogging the dam up like it did during that flood."
But to get all that done, the association says they need funds, and right now votes to help them get those funds. The lake is entered in a Readers Digest sweepstakes, and is hoping to get in the top eight to be awarded $10,000 to go toward repairs. Officials say they're trying to raise funds quickly since paperwork often takes longer than construction.
"Once we agree on the blueprint then it has to be sent on to the state and they've got to approve the plan and they've been really good to work with so far," said Wadas.
Lake officials say that they need to have the repairs done in about the next three and a half years so that they can fill the lake with water, otherwise they'll lose the rights to store that water.
"It provides a lot of entertainment during the summer, keeps a lot of the businesses in Ericson itself going with all the tankers and campers and canoers," said Claus.
Claus says they're hoping everyone who enjoys the lake will pitch in with online votes or with donations so they can offer all that recreation again.
Look below this article for a link to the "We Hear You America" voting page.
Wadas says camping is still available at Lake Ericson, and they're already booked for much of the summer. The lake still holds about ten acres of water.
