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1999 Lake Silt Excavation
A drained Backbone Lake displayed years of siltation to the
beach area. A group of concerned citizens talked with their
Representatives and Senators for assistance to clean the lake.
Community meetings were held on how to Save the Lake.
Surrounding community volunteers joined together and donated
equipment, time, labor and funds to excavate 20 acres of silt from
Backbone lake. The project was facilitated by the Backbone Lake
Friends, Representative Roger Thomas, Senator Kitty Rehberg, and
partnerships with the Department of Natural Resources, Moyna &
Sons Construction Inc., Rockette Trucking, Lincoln Farms, Gaffney
Quarries, Gallery Construction and Kulhman Construction.
The project was a success with 150,000 tons of silt
removed from the lake. The excavation took 17 days and nights to
accomplish. The project came to a close when the weather became
too warm and the equipment was no longer able to travel through the
lake bed. Over 674 dedicated and devoted volunteers contributed
time, funds, food, fuel, equipment for the project to make it a
success.
View our contributors list.
If you are interested in being a supporter of
Backbone State Park preservation program.
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2000 Lake Shore Preservation
Erosion was wearing away the south shore line of Backbone lake.
In honor of "Make A Difference Day" October 23, 2000
We Made a Difference!
Partnerships between the Backbone Lake Friends, Department of Natural
Resources, Iowa State Fish and Wildlife Division of Manchester,
Gaffney Quarries, Inc.,
Wal-Mart Foundation and
Iowa's Earth Year
Program working together we installed
426 tons of rock along the south
embankment of the lake to
prevent further soil erosion.
Iowa State Fish and Wildlife Division of Manchester assisted in the
project by supplying the equipment and labor in the placement of the
shot-rock along the shoreline. Gaffney Quarries Inc., hauled 26
loads of shot-rock that will prevent erosion and provide a sanctuary
for fish.
Volunteers and contributors to the project were:
DNR Scott Michelson, DNR Dave Sunne, Iowa State
Fishery employees, Gaffney Quarries Inc, Wal-Mart Foundation,
Iowa
Earth Year Program and Backbone Lake Friends Group.
The "Make a Difference Day" was created by
the USA Weekend Magazine as an annual event every 4th Saturday of
October to promote volunteers to clean the environment.
Together we can preserve natures
beauty in Backbone State Park for future generations to enjoy.
If you are interested in being a supporter of
Backbone State Park preservation program.
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2001 Tree Planting Project
Backbone State Park lost over 2500 trees in a severe storm in
1998. In honor of "Earth Day" April 21st, 2001 the
Backbone Lake Friends Organization sponsored a tree planting project.
Co-Chairman Don Clevenger facilitated the project.
Over 800 trees were planted with support between the Backbone Lake
Friends Organization, and the following volunteers and contributors.
DNR Department of Natural Resources, Maquoketa Headwaters Council, DNR
Forestry, Iowa Earth Year 2000, Cascade Nursery Inc., and the Starmont
Sophomore Class. Students who volunteered their time to
plant the trees were;
Cain Brewer, Matt Elliott, Hannah Glass, David Raithel, Jake Sargent,
Alicia Tucker, Erin Weston, Mark Bockenstedt, Casey Curtis, Naomi
Keppler, Eric Miller, Mark Pickart, Dustin Vice, Jim Carnicle, Megan
Ellis, Alex Keppler, Elisha Rafle, Nathan Schoof, Jesse Waitman, Brian
Willis, Ashley Courtnage, Trisha Hettinger, Alicia Koch, Sam Otdoerfer,
Cody Schmidtke, Jonathan Walz, Kasy Curtis, Rhys Evans, Amanda Lucker,
Ashley Rubner, Anne Shaffer, Emily Welter, Tammy Yelden, Sheena
Cunningham, Jennifer Howard, Justin Lincoln, Travis Petsche, Megan
Sparrgrove, Marie Zitelman, James Greer, Travis Perry, Richard DeShaw,
Andy Northrup, Alan Petersen, Dan Volker, Jackie Hunt, Tony Duhme, and
Athletic Director Todd Tharp. Other volunteers who planted
trees were:
DNR Dave Sunne,
DNR Scott Michelson,
DNR Mary Shea,
Co-Chairman Don Clevenger, Upper Maquoketa Watershed Bob
Bassett.
The project was a success with many who volunteered their time,
funding and commitment to continue preserving Iowa's First State Park
Backbone.
If you are interested in being a supporter of
Backbone State Park preservation program.
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