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County Addresses Low Water Levels on Lake Lenape
Atlantic County officials are working to address concerns regarding the noticeably low water levels currently being experienced on Lake Lenape in Mays Landing.
Due to a lack of significant rainfall, the water levels are down substantially, according to Vince Jones, Atlantic County Emergency Management Coordinator.
The county is recommending that boaters on the lake reduce their speed to 5 mph and exercise caution to avoid exposed underwater hazards. The normal speed is 45 mph.
"We understand the concerns of nearby homeowners and local boaters and we are doing our best to ensure their safety under these temporary circumstances," stated County Executive Dennis Levinson.
The county has placed sand bags along the Lake Lenape dam gates to help minimize additional water loss and will continue to work with Hamilton Township officials and consulting engineers to seek additional alternatives.
The county is also working with O’Brien & Gere Engineers on the development of a plan for the installation of a cofferdam to improve the operation of the dam’s sluice gates. The proposed plan requires permit approvals from the state Department of Environmental Protection.
"We have been diligently working to optimize the operation of the gates for over a year. We are now waiting for the appropriate DEP approvals to proceed," noted Levinson.
Following an April 2007 nor’easter, Lake Lenape experienced excessively high water levels which required emergency pumping to help draw down the levels to avoid street flooding. More than a year later the lake’s water levels are at a near record low.
Forecasts call for a chance of showers and thunderstorms over the next several days.
"Beach goers and vacationers may not like it, but we’d welcome some help from Mother Nature," concluded Levinson.
Linda Gilmore
Public Information Officer
County of Atlantic
Department of Administration
1333 Atlantic Avenue
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Voice: 609-343-2313
FAX: 609-343-2194
gilmore_linda@aclink.org
Because of a major leak in dam gate number 1, the level of Lake Lenape is almost 1.5 feet below normal and is currently loosing over an inch of water a day. I personally have never seen the lake this low this time of year, even during drought conditions. The Township or County has yet to officially inform residents as to what the problem is or how they plan to resolve it. After talking with an Atlantic County official, I learned that the County does not know why the gate is leaking and they did make an unsuccessful attempted at sandbagging the leaky gate yesterday, 6/24/2008. Within the next few days, they plan on inspecting the gate with a video camera for debris or damage. If you are or plan on boating on the lake please use extreme caution.
Carl Pitale and his daughter Maddy along with a beautiful Lake Lenape sunset, pose with a nice size bass they caught recently.
As you may already know the township will be unable fund the hometown celebration fireworks display this year and for years to come. Luckly the Mays Landing Merchants Association stepped up to the plate and saved the day by starting a save the firework fund. If you would like to help please send your donation to:
Mays Landing Merchants Association
P.O. Box 193
Mays Landing, N.J. 08330
For more information please visit the Mays Landing Merchant Associations website.
LAKE LENAPE EAST COMMITTEE MINUTES
MANOR HOUSE AT LAKE LENAPE
APRIL 24, 2008
The meeting was opened and the minutes were approved as mailed.
1. There was question of whether or not the County had reviewed the infrastructure (electric,gas,sewerage,etc.)at the facility. The Facilities Director,Glen Mawby and the County's Open Space Coordinator, Ranae Fehr, said that had all been reviewed prior to the signing of the sale documents.
2. The question was asked as to the Lenape property's relationshipto Mr. Young's property.lt was explained that there were at least three easements that have a long history and existence with respect to Lake Lenape East. There were easements for getting on to Lake Lenape East's property from Mr. Young's land. That easement no longer exists. The second easement involved was Mr. Young's sewer line. His sewerage line connects to the pumping stationon the Lake Lenape East property and that is then jetted out to the street sewerage connection. The third easement that existed is with Young's Skating Rink. Approximately 60 X 124 ft. plot behind the Young's Skating Rink can be utilized when the need for over flow parking for the skating rink is required.
3. The Committee wentto all of the structures on the propertyand reviewed the structures to the Consultant's recommendations.
4. Mr. Mike Diamond, a member of the Committee,handed out an article on Washington Square Park in Chicago. Mr. Diamond is also willing to help establish this type of program at a park of our choice.
5. A set of specifications to do a Master Plan for Lake Lenape East were passed out. There was a discussion about the content and the purpose of the Master Plan. The group agreed that we would get in all our comments by April 30, 2008. This will then allow the County to go to our Purchasing Agent to have it advertised. The RFP will be let and the County will receive proposals for review. In addition,there was a discussion that we would have a committee established to review the RFP's once they are returned. The following individuals agreed to sit with County staff to review those proposals: Ms.Terry Dailey; Mr. Elmer Ripley; Mr. Dean Rocap; Mr. Joe Yeoman; Mr. Joe Haney and Mr.Mike Diamond. The next full Committee meeting will be set up based on when we will be receiving proposals back from the community with respect to the Master Plan.
Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
(Press Release)
Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson has announced another effort by the county to enhance recreational fishing at Lake Lenape. The current project involves sinking more than 300 cut Christmas trees in strategic locations along the lake bed to provide cover for target species of game fish as well as the abundance of bait fish in the Lenape fishery. Locations were selected by state biologists based on depth, water flow and oxygen content.The project, a cooperative venture of the Atlantic County Park System, the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, and several volunteer organizations, will improve fishing at Lake Lenape for local favorites such as largemouth bass, chain pickerel, crappie and yellow perch.Approximately two years ago, the county opened a fish ladder at Lake Lenape Dam that allows migratory fish, including native herring and shad, access into the lake and the headwaters of the Great Egg Harbor River with 15 miles of spawning and foraging habitat. The Great Egg Harbor River is a designated National Wild and Scenic River, only the second river in the state to receive this distinction."Not only do these projects benefit recreational fishing, but they also serve to enhance the ecosystem and encourage the interest of osprey, bald eagles and the great blue heron," stated Levinson. "We will continue to protect these valuable resources for the pleasure of our residents and visitors."For more information on Lake Lenape and the Atlantic County Parks System, visit www.aclink.org/parks or call (609) 625-8219.
