Veterans Affairs - Have You Heard

January 14, 2023

By Ryan Wiemold, Parks Superintendent

McFarland Park has long been a gem to the community. Located only four miles from the City of Ames, McFarland Park is enjoyed by many. Students from schools across the county and ISU classes often participate in outdoor studies as well as recreation at this high-use park that is also home to operations for Story County Conservation. With more than eight miles of forest and prairie trails, in addition to the 1.25-mile paved, handicap accessible Touch-A-Life Trail around the lake, McFarland hosts numerous public and school programs, as well as nature camps at this location. 

Restoration on McFarland Lake began in December 2022. This project’s main objective is to improve the lake’s water quality as well as enhancing lake access for paddlers and others exploring the water. Immediate access points to the lake have and will remain closed during construction, which may run through December 2023. The remainder of McFarland Park will remain accessible and open to the public.

Renovation will address numerous lake health issues during restoration, including: seasonal algal blooms, phosphorus and sediment loading, low water transparency, and invasive carp and snails. While not abnormal for an impounded lake, these are problematic for plants and animals living in the lake, as well as for recreational activities. A complete fishery renovation will take place, as the previous fishery lacked in quality. Siltation over the years has made the lake shallow in many places which leads to increased vegetation that limits the fishery quality and fishing access. Prior to this project, the lake’s deepest areas measured only 13 feet. To fix this, crews will restore the lake to original depths of 22 feet, removing 56,000 cubic yards of sediment. This sediment will be placed at spoil sites northeast of the lake and turned into reconstructed prairie. 

Once the lake renovation is complete, fish habitat will be added to improve the fishery, which will then be restarted through partnership with the IDNR. 

An additional fishing jetty will be constructed, as well as fishing nodes, improved shoreline access, and a zero-grade entry point for paddlers and educational groups exploring the water. Improving park users’ connection to the water is important to water and soil health.

Although the project is anticipated to run through December 2023, with cooperative weather, construction could wrap up by  summer and the lake could begin refilling naturally at that time. 

Stay tuned here on our website and on our social media for more updates on this project and others!