CERRO GORDO COUNTY – The Cerro Gordo County Conservation completed several projects this past year and following is an update on those projects, according to a bulletin from that organization.
The parking lot at the Lime Creek Conservation area and Lime Creek Nature Center was enhanced. The previous parking area was gravel and had some drainage issues. To improve the drainage issues the parking lot was graded to a more appropriate slope and the then asphalt was applied over the newly graded rock to maintain the slope and provide a smooth hard surface for traffic and pedestrians. To complete the project parking lines were painted onto the asphalt.
New playground equipment was installed at the Linn Grove campground in Rockwell. To begin the project old outdated equipment was removed and two new items were installed. New items were a four-bay swing set and a new play structure. The new play structure has 23 different play activities included in its design.
A replacement shelter house was installed in the Preserve campground and equestrian parking area. The original shelter had been damaged and a replacement shelter was need. The new shelter is in the same location and will continue to provide a shaded picnic area.
Two projects were completed at our Kingfisher Hollow Wildlife area on the Winnebago River. The Kingfisher area provides access to the Winnebago River on a wide outside bend of the river and we experience erosion problems during flood stages. To prevent further erosion problems the bank was shaped to a more gradual slope and a layer of rip rap was added to the shore line, also a J-hook weir was placed in the river to direct the current away from the shore line. A J-hook weir is a series of large boulders placed in the river that do not restrict the flow of the river but work to keep the main current in the center of the river, thus away from the shore line. Another benefit of the J-hook weir is that it provides quality in river fish habitat. The area directly behind the rocks provide current breaks for the fish and a scour hole will develop inside the rocks creating a deep pool that fish will move into. The rip rap below the water line on the shore line structure will also provide habitat for fish and other aquatic vertebrates and invertebrates.
The final project involved renting a skid loader and brush mower to do some small tree and brush removal along our trails and roads. Woody vegetation has been encroaching upon some of our trails and roadways and it was time for it to be trimmed back. Using the skid loader and brush mower made it easy to reclaim some of the areas where the brush had moved in. Now the trails and roads will be much easier for everyone to use.
Looking ahead, there are at least two major projects planned for next year. The first is an extension of the Prairie Land trail from 190th to 170th street. This extension will add another 2 miles of trail to the already existing 6 miles and will continue development toward Meservey. The second is a major upgrade to the displays in the Nature Center, after 34 years there is a plan to add new displays to the Nature Center. We are working with a design studio to modernize the displays and make then more interactive. This project will be possible through memberships, grants and donations.