Friends of Beaver Lake push urgent fundraising campaign
A flood of support is assisting a volunteer group of property owners, renters and community members who want to get the water level of Beaver Lake back to normal.
The Friends of Beaver Lake formed recently after the Jasper Utility Service Board decided to forego the expensive modifications to the dam and spillway at the popular 205-acre lake. Those modifications were explored after the city determined the water level at the lake was between 9 and 12 inches lower after a new spillway was completed in 2012. The spillway project was mandated by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.
The lake was created in the 1950s as an alternative water source for the City of Jasper. The utility service board’s sole interest in the lake is as an alternative water source. According to utilities manager Bud Hauersperger, the loss of water capacity at the lake isn’t a concern due to the Patoka Lake Reservoir, which regulates water to the city through the river.
A foot of water over about 200 acres is about 61 million gallons of water.
During the July meeting, the utility service board decided not pursue the modifications, but Brad Popp, who rents property at the lake, asked them to hold off on closing the bids submitted by two firms while he and others tried to formulate a solution.
The group has since learned they must raise $170,000 — a little more than half the $334,000 bid submitted by Krempp Construction to raise the lake level — by August 11. Currently, they have about $120,000.
“We just need a little extra help from the people of the community or anyone that has used the lake or been to the lake,” Popp said. “All the money raised will go directly into raising the water level. If we can get enough funding up front, then I think there is a real good chance the city will work with us to get this thing done for the good of the community and the lot owners of the lake.”
The Jasper Parks and Recreation Department handles the access to the city-owned lake and according to Popp and John McGovren, another member of the Friends of Beaver Lake, discussions are ongoing with the department’s role in assisting to raise the water level.
A proposal to increase the user fees for boats, docks and lots — the city owns 42 lots around the lake that can be rented annually for $250 — could be considered to help pay for part of the work.
According to John McGovren, the lower levels have affected the property and dock owners detrimentally and created a potentially dangerous situation. “They can’t get their boats up to their docks,” he explained. “Also, because it is a foot lower, stepping into and out of your boat is a safety hazard.”
The funds collected will be considered a tax-deductible contribution to a public project. The group needs the pledges before Tuesday, Aug 11 and funds would be collected by August 15.
According to organizers, if the project would not happen, the money would not be collected. If the project happens, it is expected it would be started this fall and completed by Spring 2016.
Those interested in helping can contact Birnie Jeffries at 812-326-2414, John McGovren at 812-639-0534 or Brad Popp at 812-309-1028 for more information. Email inquiries and pledges can be made at FriendsofBeaverlake@gmail.com.
Friends are also urged to attend the Park and Recreation Board meeting on August 11th at 4:30 p.m. upstairs in City Hall, 610 Main St.
