Following $2.4 million renovation, Pleasant Creek open for business

PALO - Though the lake still is six feet below normal on the eve of the year's first holiday camping weekend, it will be 'kind of business as usual” at Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area, Park Ranger Carl Fairley said.

The campgrounds will be full, and the lake will be accessible to boaters. But a new state rule bans alcoholic beverages on and near the beach.

That rule, which took effect April 22, won't affect anyone this weekend, as the beach, still a considerable distance from the water's edge, will remain closed, Fairley said. Nor will the closure itself be much of a problem because few park visitors would want to swim in the still-chilly water this weekend anyway, he said.

Many visitors will be getting their first look at the park following the recent completion of a $2.4 million renovation of the lake and its shoreline.

The 410-acre lake was lowered 15 feet during the project. Since the gate valve was closed in February, rainfall running off the lake's watershed has raised the water level six feet.

Given the lake's exceptionally small 5-to-1 watershed-to-lake ratio, which accounts for its excellent water quality, it likely will take months to completely refill the lake.

'A lot of people are anxious for the lake to fill, but I think they are going to be happy with it when it does,” said Todd Coffelt, chief of the Department of Natural Resources Park Bureau.

Access to high quality bodies of water is a high priority for state park visitors, Coffelt said.

'They want to go there and catch fish, sure, but even visitors who don't fish appreciate being near a beautiful lake,” he said.

While the lake continues to fill, its six-mile shoreline remains distinctly visible, lined with 55,000 tons of rock to protect it from eroding, improve aquatic habitat and attract fish.

Rock also covers two new fishing jetties with Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible sidewalks built to help shore anglers catch more fish. The project also included repairs to five existing jetties and upgrades to four boat ramps.

'All that rock is pretty impressive. I think it's going to make for some great fishing in the next few years,” said Jeff Kuddes of Cedar Rapids, who was camping at the park Wednesday with his family.

'These jetties should put a lot more fish within reach of shoreline anglers,” said Keenen Nosek of Cedar Rapids, who was fishing from one of them Wednesday with his companion, Courtney Moenk of Cedar Rapids.

Fairley said motor boats can launch at the main ramp on the south side of the lake, and kayaks and canoes can launch at a smaller ramp on the north side.

Paddle sports are becoming increasingly popular everywhere and especially at Pleasant Creek, he said.

'I can't believe how many kayaks and canoes are on the lake, and it's only going to keep getting bigger,” he said.

Coffelt said the Legislature's recent $1.2 million cut in DNR funding has forced the Parks Bureau's shrinking personnel to prioritize maintenance activities.

'The less frequently used parts of the parks may get less maintenance, but we will do all we can to keep people coming to the parks,” he said.

At Pleasant Creek, 'we are feeling the cuts with reduced staff,” Fairley said.

Fairley said the alcohol ban - in effect at both Pleasant Creek and Lake Macbride State Park near Solon - could become more of an issue when the water warms and the beach reopens.

The ban applies to the sand area of the beach, a 200-foot buffer surrounding the sand and the designated swimming area marked by buoys or swim lines.

In July 2015, restricted beach hours were initiated at each park following several alcohol-related incidents, including assaults, public intoxication, disorderly conduct, littering and underage drinking.

The ban, which allows the DNR to reopen the beaches until 10:30 p.m., took effect when the Legislature adjourned without countering the alcohol ban approved by the Natural Resource Commission in August 2016.