By Mark Hrywna
Regional Editor
Lake Surprise in the Watchung Reservation could be ready for public use as early as this summer. With the lake dredging phase of project complete, the second phase involves erosion control measures on the slopes that feed to the lake and the drying out of two sedimentation basins.
The county will clean debris and silt acculumation from the shoreline ol lake this summer and new picnic ares will be constructed at various points along the shore. Also in the works is an area for unloading and launching canoes or rowboats, with the appropriate county decal, for fishing and boating. County officials hope the state Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife will restock the lake with fish by next spring.
Had the lake dredging not been completed by April 1, it would have had to stop until July 31 because of aquatic life.
The two basins constructed uphill from the lake along Glenside Avenue contain the dredged sedtiment. After several months, the sediment will be dried and wildflowers will be planted.
F.X. Browne Inc. of Landsdale, Penn., was awarded the $1.33-million contract to dredge the lake. The firm will complete the development of plans and specifications for the second phase of the project.
The same firm has been hired to begin engineering and consulting services for the county at Upper Echo Lake, Moxon Pond, and along a stream which connects the two, in Mountainside. The county will fund $12,000 for the engineering and consulting while about $55,000 will come from the state Department of Environmental Protection.
Approximately 53,000 cubic yards of sediment was expected to be removed from the bottom of the lake but county officials anticipate less. After drying out, approximately 6,000 yards will be placed in the clay pits at the Deserted Village to refill an area "ecologically barren."
Dredging of Lake Surprise began in November. The lake has not been dredged since the construction of Route 78 was started almost 25 years ago.
Freeholders approved funding for the project in 1998 but ran into some road blocks, such as, state restrictions on when dredging can take place and intial bids coming in too high.
Lake Surprise runs parallel to Glenside Avenue and borders New Providence, Summit and Mountainside in the northeastern part of the 2,000- reservation.
Courtesy of: Springfield Echo Leader - May 25, 2000 issue
|
|