Actual lake construction of Little Otter Creek in Caldwell County is planned to begin later this summer, according to a news release from the Lake Committee and Caldwell County commissioners. The committee and commissioners met Jan. 15 at the Nazarene Church in Kingston.
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The lake bed clearing plan should begin in the next few weeks. A pre-bid construction meeting was held with around 20 contractors showing interest in bidding for the clearing phase of the project. Bid opening is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 25.
Several topics were discussed during the meeting, including trees in the dam area and along the creek and borrow area. The trees need to be cut or cleared by March 31, in accordance with the Corp of Engineers 404 environmental permit for protection of the endangered “bat” and potential bat habitat.
Other topics discussed included mitigation, easements, land disturbance permits and project funding and bond refinancing. Additional design plans and specifications and Emergency Action Plans for the lake are under review.
The intake structure for the water treatment plant and distribution areas and access road around the lake were also discussed.
Several state agencies reported on specific aspects of the project such as fish habitat plans and brush piles in the lake area, mulching and the lake buffer plan, seeding pollinator crops around the lake as bee and butterfly habitats, Missouri Department of Conservation agreement and planning for trails and other recreational amenities.
An advisory board to help gather input from local citizens is currently being formed. If interested in serving on a local planning committee, please contact the County Commission at 816-586-2571.
The Little Otter Creek Lake Committee and the Caldwell County commission met Jan. 15, at the Nazarene Church in Kingston. There were around 25 individuals in attendance with approximately half attending by virtual call-in. Due to the weather and continued social distancing of the corona virus policies, most of the state and federal partners were unable to attend in person.
The next Little Otter Creek Lake Committee meeting is scheduled for February 19, in Kingston.
A groundbreaking that had been planned at the lake site was postponed until March 19, in hopes of better weather and attendance of state legislators while they are on spring break.