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Ventura Marsh at Clear Lake Date Last Updated: 03/05/2013 11:59 Official Project NameVentura Marsh at Clear Lake Location Clear Lake, a 3,625-acre natural lake, is located near the town of Clear Lake, Cerro Gordo County, in north central Iowa, and has a drainage area of approximately 8,450 acres. Clear Lake drains into the Winnebago River. State(s) IA Congressional District(s) IA-4 Status Construction completed. Pipe used to pump water from the marsh to Clear Lake moved after construction and leaks. P&S completed in FY13. Construction of pipe fix will be completed by spring of 2013. Description Ventura Marsh is an aging wetland system. The stable high water level has caused portions of it to accelerate to and stabilize in the open marsh stage. Rough fish activity in the marsh decreases the marsh water quality and reduces the vegetation coverage. The marshs habitat potential is not being reached. The aquatic bird and furbearer usage of the marsh is limited by the lack of vegetation and poor water quality. Systemically, the marsh is limiting the habitat value of Clear Lake. Water quality of the lake is diminished because the marsh does not act as a natural filtering system for the water entering lake. The marsh is used by rough fish, specifically carp, for recruitment. As a result, the quality of the Clear Lake fishery is decreased. The success of the Clear Lake restoration efforts depends on solving these problems. There are opportunities to increase the waterfowl usage of the marsh and provide better conditions for furbearers. Opportunities exist to change the hydrology of the marsh, increase water quality related to habitat to promote vegetation growth and slow the natural transition to an open marsh. The project sponsor is the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Summarized Financial Data
Major Work Item (This Fiscal Year) FY 2013: Complete design and construction of final stage of project construction. Major Work Item (Next Fiscal Year) FY 2014: Monitor and evaluate project performance. Authority CA - Continuing Authorities - Section 206 Project Manager Information
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