CCP 11-25-2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Petition to Stop the Pumping of Karth Lake . It is hereby petitioned that the pumping of water out of Karth Lake to lower its' surface level to an arbitrary point, set by the Minnesota Department of Resources, should be stopped. Any continued effort is a waste of city tax dollars and should be terminated. The Arden Hills City Council should rescind the motion made on September 30th at its meeting which authorized this waste of city tax dollars. Karth Lake is not a lake, but a natural depression in the landscape left by the last glacial period. As the climate and precipitation total changes each season, so changes the water level in the depression known as Karth Lake. This depression collects the run-off from the local landscape and underground flowage from at least 9 different springs. The depression does not have an outlet and the water level has varied over 15 feet in the past 20 years. The current higher level of Karth Lake has been caused by the unusual amount of precipitation received this spring and summer season. Every body of water in the local area has been affected by the unusual amount of precipitation. Lowering the level of Karth Lake as currently ordered will lower the water table in the surrounding area and may seriously affect the local environment. This change in the water table will lower the level of the surrounding ponds and may eliminate their use for winter activities. It will also decrease the ground moisture available this winter and . next spring for vegetation. Furthermore, the residents of the Wyncrest neighborhood were not notified that this pumping of Karth Lake was being considered and scheduled, though the pipes are going across Wyncrest private property and the pumped water is being dumped into their storm sewers. This dumping, since the pumps are not monitored 24 hours a day, could result in Wyncrest neighborhood houses and basements being flooded if a blockage occurs. This problem has happened in the past. We, therefore, petition the Arden Hills City Council to rescind their motion to pump Karth Lake from its current water level to an arbitrary lower water level. Furthermore, we hereby request that the Arden Hills City Council notify the residences around the drainage depression, known as Karth Lake, that the climate and weather control the level of this body of water and no pumping to change the natural level of the water is authorized. See attached sheets for those Arden Hills community members who have endorsed this petition.D .