Board considers dredging Spring Fork Lake

The Sedalia Board of Public Works Thursday discussed taking on the task the dredging Spring Fork Lake itself.

Tom Ragan, board member, and Water Department Manger Charles Brosch heard about a city that dredged a lake at a fraction of the price by purchasing the equipment. City employees did the work and were able to set their own pace.

Ragan said the dredging equipment could cost $250,000 to $500,000. Previous estimates for dredging the lake were as high as $9 million.

“I don’t know if ($8 million or $9 million is) feasible, but something like this might be,” Ragan said.

Trish Yasger, a board member who works for the Missouri Conservation Department, said Blind Pony Lake at Sweet Springs was dredged by temporary workers. The Conservation Department managed the work instead of hiring a professional firm.

Board members also discussed the challenges of finding a place to put the silt once it is removed from the lake. Estimates show the lake contains 750,000 cubic yards of silt, enough to cover 40 acres to a depth of almost 12 feet.

The board has struggled in determining the future of Spring Fork Lake, one of Sedalia’s drinking water sources. More than a year ago the board discussed selling the lake, since it has become less useful as a water source due to the silting, which has significantly reduced the lake’s capacity.

Board members have yet to decide whether to restore the lake to be used for drinking water, or maintain it for recreational use. The lake once provided 70 percent of Sedalia’s water, but is now supplies only about 30 percent.

The board met Thursday morning at Kehde’s Barbecue for its monthly meeting. Board members selected a different meeting place and elected new officers since outgoing board president John Kehde’s term expired.

The board elected Lou Ahlemeyer president.

Board members discussed several other meeting locations including Kehde’s, the Missouri Conservation Department and Sedalia Public Library before settling on City Hall.

“My opinion is, the city should provide us a place to meet, and I think it’s logical to meet there,” Ahlemeyer said.

The board will continue to meet at 8:30 a.m. the fourth Thursday each month. Ragan and board member Trish Yasger said the morning meetings worked best for their schedules.

After the meeting, when asked about the accessibility of the morning meeting to the public, Ragan said people who are interested will attend the meeting whether it’s at 8:30 a.m. or 7 p.m.

“I think if the public has a genuine desire to be at a meeting; they’re going to be there,” he said.

Ahlemeyer said, following the meeting, the time has “always been this way.”

“I would assume it’s accessible to the public. ... If this becomes an issue, we’ll take a look at it,” he said.

Board member Jack Robinson was absent from Thursday’s meeting.

snail@sedaliademocrat.com