gdp's Comments

GazetteOnline.com : Culver critical of FEMA's denial of funding for Lake Delhi

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:47:52 +0000

Everything done on or for Lake Delhi is in partnership with the DNR. The dam facility under the jurisdiction and guidelines established by the DNR. The DNR specified the water level the lake was lake at, and how much it could be lowered in advance of high water.

GazetteOnline.com : Lake Delhi dam owner plans to appeal FEMA denial

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 13:38:47 +0000

The dam is not public, it is owned by the association, which paid above and beyond their taxes to maintain it and the public areas. The Lake is public.

KCRG : Dam Owner Plans to Appeal FEMA Denial | KCRG-TV9 | Cedar Rapids, Iowa News, Sports, and Weather | Lo

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 01:31:51 +0000

Please speak to the facts It has been determined that, according to the USGS Manchester gauge at highway 20, the water flow which caused the flooding at Lake Delhi and the damage to the Lake Delhi dam was somewhere between 30,000 to 35,000 cubic feet per second (CFS) which is an enormous amount of water, an Act of God rate. No flood control project is typically built to control a flow of those proportions. A normal flow at this location might be 300-450 cfs, so at the peak of the flood, water was moving at 100-times a normal rate. The Lake Delhi Dam is managed in cooperation with and under the guidelines of the Iowa DNR, as well as with other local, state and federal agencies. Emergency responses included lowering the lake level in advance of the high water, according to DNR guidelines and notifying the Jones County Emergency Services of actions taken on the dam during this high water event. DNR officials, the Delaware County Engineer, the Delaware County Sheriffs department and others were also present at the dam and in direct communication. Lake Delhi is a public lake. The tax district and association own the dam; Lake Delhi residents’ money maintains the dam and two public beaches open to everyone. Two public county parks with boat ramps and numerous other boat ramps provide anyone access to the lake. The LDRA had begun a specific project two years ago to restore power generation to the dam, and the required paperwork has been submitted to the Federal Energy Regulation Commission (FERC). This is not only a very green effort to produce clean alternative energy for Iowa, but will also make the Lake Delhi dam and Lake Delhi much more financially able to take care of the dam and Lake in the future when proceeds from the sale of the electricity will add to the funds needed for upkeep, maintenance, and improvements. Lake area property owners contribute $1.62 million in property taxes—nearly 9 percent of property value in Delaware County and about 10 percent of the county's annual budget and 31 percent of the Maquoketa Valley Schools annual budget. The Lake Delhi dam was last fully inspected by the DNR in May of 2009, and although a few minor repairs were still needed to be made following the flooding of 2008, no major structural problems were found on the dam, said Lori McDaniel, supervisor of the DNR’s flood plain and dam safety section. “There really isn’t much that can be done when we get into an extreme situation like this where water overtops the structure. The water is just too strong to hold back at that point,” said McDaniel [DNR representative].

GazetteOnline.com : Lake Delhi dam owner plans to appeal FEMA denial

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 01:23:28 +0000

Please speak to the facts: It has been determined that, according to the USGS Manchester gauge at highway 20, the water flow which caused the flooding at Lake Delhi and the damage to the Lake Delhi dam was somewhere between 30,000 to 35,000 cubic feet per second (CFS) which is an enormous amount of water, an Act of God rate. No flood control project is typically built to control a flow of those proportions. A normal flow at this location might be 300-450 cfs, so at the peak of the flood, water was moving at 100-times a normal rate. The Lake Delhi Dam is managed in cooperation with and under the guidelines of the Iowa DNR, as well as with other local, state and federal agencies. Emergency responses included lowering the lake level in advance of the high water, according to DNR guidelines and notifying the Jones County Emergency Services of actions taken on the dam during this high water event. DNR officials, the Delaware County Engineer, the Delaware County Sheriffs department and others were also present at the dam and in direct communication. Lake Delhi is a public lake. The tax district and association own the dam; Lake Delhi residents’ money maintains the dam and two public beaches open to everyone. Two public county parks with boat ramps and numerous other boat ramps provide anyone access to the lake. The LDRA had begun a specific project two years ago to restore power generation to the dam, and the required paperwork has been submitted to the Federal Energy Regulation Commission (FERC). This is not only a very green effort to produce clean alternative energy for Iowa, but will also make the Lake Delhi dam and Lake Delhi much more financially able to take care of the dam and Lake in the future when proceeds from the sale of the electricity will add to the funds needed for upkeep, maintenance, and improvements. Lake area property owners contribute $1.62 million in property taxes—nearly 9 percent of property value in Delaware County and about 10 percent of the county's annual budget and 31 percent of the Maquoketa Valley Schools annual budget. The Lake Delhi dam was last fully inspected by the DNR in May of 2009, and although a few minor repairs were still needed to be made following the flooding of 2008, no major structural problems were found on the dam, said Lori McDaniel, supervisor of the DNR’s flood plain and dam safety section. “There really isn’t much that can be done when we get into an extreme situation like this where water overtops the structure. The water is just too strong to hold back at that point,” said McDaniel [DNR representative].

GazetteOnline.com : Lake Delhi dam owner plans to appeal FEMA denial

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 00:15:44 +0000

GazetteOnline.com : Culver critical of FEMA's denial of funding for Lake Delhi

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 20:13:37 +0000

FEMA’s stated mission: FEMA’s Mission is to reduce the loss of life and property and protect communities nationwide from all hazards, including natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters. FEMA leads and supports the nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery and mitigation. It seems to me shameful to deny this support they claim as their mission to a place that impacts so many and a county that will be devastated as a result. I don’t see the leadership FEMA claims it is its purpose to give.

GazetteOnline.com : Culver criticizes FEMA denial of Lake Delhi help

Wed, 25 Aug 2010 20:08:37 +0000

Thank you to Governor Culver. The people of Lake Delhi and those who love it are working hard too. We appreciate and need everyone's efforts.

GazetteOnline.com : Lake Delhi residents need your help

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 23:16:43 +0000

Your compassion is well placed. My Aunt and Uncle were only able to move back to their home a couple of days ago. I understand. I don't think it has to be one over the other. Without hope and progress toward a return of the Lake, I worry residents won't choose to return.

GazetteOnline.com : Lake Delhi residents need your help

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 19:12:16 +0000

I'm not denying what you've stated, I have no idea where that information comes from. You took issue with my post with regard to the Des Moines Register's article and so I followed that up with the DNR's statement, from their website, reiterating that "no major structural problems were found on the dam" and that nothing much could be done, due to the forces of nature--too much water.

GazetteOnline.com : Lake Delhi residents need your help

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 18:32:27 +0000

From the DNR's website: http://www.iowadnr.gov/news/10jul/lakedelhi.html The Lake Delhi dam was last fully inspected by the DNR in May of 2009, and although a few minor repairs were still needed to be made following the flooding of 2008, no major structural problems were found on the dam, said Lori McDaniel, supervisor of the DNR's flood plain and dam safety section. "There really isn't much that can be done when we get into an extreme situation like this where water overtops the structure. The water is just too strong to hold back at that point," said McDaniel. The department is currently working with local communities across the state to establish and review emergency plans for similar situations that could occur. "No matter how hard we may try, there are times when the forces of nature are just too much for manmade structures. That's why it is important that we be well prepared for emergency situations like this," said McDaniel.

GazetteOnline.com : Lake Delhi residents need your help

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 15:40:47 +0000

Please don’t suggest I’m trying to mislead anyone. I promise I am not. There is so much misinformation being spread around. I have no intention of adding to it. I mention the earthen section in particular because of the hydroelectric opportunities available with a restored dam—which didn’t get published. To be clear: The concrete section of the dam including the Powerhouse, wicket gates and flood gates remained intact; the earthen and concrete dam section immediately south of the main structure and the county roadway on top of the dam eroded away. Everything done on or for Lake Delhi is in partnership with the DNR. The dam facility is run under the jurisdiction and guidelines established by the DNR. The DNR specified the water level the lake was kept at, and how much the lake could be lowered in advance of high water. The dam has been well-maintained, run according to guidelines in cooperation with the Iowa DNR, the same as any publicly owned dam in Iowa would be (and the majority of the 3300 dams in Iowa are privately owned). As reported by the Des Moines Register, a 2009 DNR inspection revealed no issues that could have been responsible for the dam failure. And finally, it needs to be said over and over and over: Lake Delhi is a public lake. The tax district and association own the dam; Lake Delhi residents’ money maintains the dam and two public beaches open to everyone. Two public county parks with boat ramps and numerous other boat ramps provide anyone access to the lake. I am working everyday to help folks at Lake Delhi and those who love the lake. But again, if the lake is gone, how many residents will remain?

GazetteOnline.com : Support rebuilding Lake Delhi dam

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 14:48:40 +0000

The dam did not fail. The earthen levee adjacent to the dam broke away after unprecedented rains. Everything the Association does on or for Lake Delhi is in partnership with the DNR. They run the dam facility under the jurisdiction and guidelines established by the DNR. The DNR specified the water level the lake was lake at, and how much the lake could be lowered in advance of high water. Lake Delhi is a public lake. The tax district and association own the dam; Lake Delhi residents’ money maintains the dam and two public beaches open to everyone. Two public county parks with boat ramps and numerous other boat ramps provide anyone access to the lake. The dam has been well-maintained, run according to guidelines in cooperation with the Iowa DNR, the same as any publicly owned dam in Iowa would be. As reported by the Des Moines Register, a 2009 DNR inspection revealed no issues that could have been responsible for the dam failure. If you believe that all of the houses on the Lake are lavish and expensive, then clearly you have never been there.

GazetteOnline.com : Support rebuilding Lake Delhi dam

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 17:04:32 +0000

The Lake Delhi Dam is managed in cooperation with and under the guidelines of the Iowa DNR, as well as with other local, state and federal agencies. Emergency responses included lowering the lake level in advance of the high water, according to DNR guidelines and notifying the Jones County Emergency Services of actions taken on the dam during this high water event. DNR officials, the Delaware County Engineer, the Delaware County Sheriffs department and others were also present at the dam and in direct communication.

GazetteOnline.com : Association shouldn’t control dam

Tue, 3 Aug 2010 02:04:18 +0000

Please know that the association pooled and gave of their own moneys to provide public access to the lake also. The dam was inspected one year ago and deemed okay. The association was working toward restarting hydroelectric power to generate electricity. These are in large part hardworking folks who would like to have their homes again, and be able to welcome the public and their ski team back again as well. They're working very hard.

GazetteOnline.com : Big Ideas, Small Ideas Downtown

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:01:03 +0000

Would it be comfortable or appropriate for you to "out" the risk takers at the forum?