Cove Characteristics

 

Cove A: This cove is approximately a 10 acre area that receives 55% of the incoming flow to the lake. During heavy rains the amount of silt deposited in Cove A increases dramatically. The majority of the silt is received through the telephone cove tributary. This area has one small silt pond upstream but is not very effective in heavy rain instances. A larger upstream dam is being planned and may be installed as soon as 2006-2007. This erosion control structure would greatly reduce the amount of silt entering the lake. The remainder of the Cove A is fed from the west. This area is protected upstream by a 2 acre silt pond and also Dam Site 1 which is a 23 acre containment area. This area will drop out 80% of the silt in a normal 2-3 inch rain occurrence. Harnessing for the dredge in this area is difficult due to the span across the cove as well as the many docks and shore stations that impede the access. The silt from this cove is pumped to spoil areas #1 & #7.

Cove B: The dredging area of this cove is approximately 1-½ acres. The bottom has silt combined with smaller rocks which come from upstream. The last 40 feet of the cove is solid rock starting at 4 feet deep and ends at 2 feet deep at the very end of the cove. There is also rip rap on the shoreline which causes the dredge problems. This cove receives very little flow due to the upstream dam on the Lakeridge golf course. The amount of silt entering this cove is also low due to the flow as well as the ample ground cover on the golf course. Harnessing for the dredge is very difficult in this cove due to the steep embankments and shore stations. The silt from this cove is pumped to the booster station and then  pumped on to spoil areas #1 & #7.

Cove C: This cove encompasses approximately a 2 acre dredging area. At the ½ way point into the cove it narrows to 50 feet across and continually decreases the farther you go until the end of the cove which is about 20 feet across in width. From the ½ way point to the end of the cove you should not go any deeper than 4-5 feet due to the possibility of creating a landslide scenario on surrounding lots. Removing to much mud from the bottom relieves the pressure in the narrow cove and creates the opportunity during an rainy season. The seawalls installed at the end of the cove that are vinyl sheet piling were not put in very deep so they to may fail if to much silt is removed. There is a shale shelf at the end of the cove that is approximately 5 ½ -6 feet deep. The silt from this area is pumped from this cove to a booster station and then pumped to spoil areas #1 & #7.

Cove D: This cove is also very narrow and encompasses about a 1 acre area that requires dredging. You can only dredge 3 feet deep for the last 50 feet due to a solid rock shelf. There is much loose rock in the area as well. The silt is pumped from this cove to the west where the booster station picks it up and pushes it on to the southwest cove spoil area #1 & #7. Harnessing the dredge is difficult in this area due to the steep grade and docks.

Cove E: This cove is very long and narrow. The dredging area in this cove may cover ½ - ¾ of an acre. It is burdened with a lot of rip rap and concrete chunks. The shorelines all became stabilized in 2003. It has not been dredged to date. The silt from this cove would be pumped to spoil area # 2. Harnessing in this cove is also difficult due to steep terrain and multiple docks.

Cove F: This cove has an area of ½ - ¾ of an acre that needs dredged. This area is stabilized and receives very little silt. This cove has never been dredged. There are small rocks on the bottom with rip rap shorelines which inevitably will cause a problem for the dredge. The silt from this cove would be pumped to a spoil area not yet constructed in the area of the shop.

Cove G: This is a very large cove that will require some careful planning before it is dredged. The area would encompass approximately 4-5 acres. There is a tremendous amount of silt that enters into this cove every year. There is about 20% of the water flow enters through this cove. The original bottom of this cove is covered with oak tree stumps that were never removed. Once these stumps are encountered you could go no farther. The silt from this cove would be pumped to a spoil area not yet constructed in the vicinity of the maintenance shop. The harnessing for this cove will be very difficult due to the wide span of the cove.

Cove H: This cove is relatively small compared to the others. The shorelines are stabilized and the cove receives very little incoming flow which carries silt. Some parts of the shoreline have rip rap on them which poses a problem for the dredge. However the last time it was dredged the majority of the problem rip rap was removed from the bottom. This cove should not need dredged but maybe once every 10 years. The spoil area for this cove was located on a property at the end of the cove. I believe that doing so was a one time venture and another spoil area will have to be located. Harnessing for this cove is not difficult.

Cove I: This cove is small and covers a ½ an acre dredging area. This particular cove receives a substantial amount of silt in a heavy rain. It is in a watershed which includes farm ground at present. There is a plan in the works for this to be transformed into a residential area. If so the amount of silt will be greatly decreased. The bottom of this cove was relatively clear of debris. The silt is pumped from this cove to spoil area #4. The harnessing for this cove is difficult due to the shore stations and docks.

Cove J: This cove is approximately 1-1 ½ acres of dredging area. It receives a substantial amount of flow during heavy rains which carries silt from adjoining farm ground. A silt pond was constructed upstream from this cove in 2004 which decreased the amount of silt by 50%. This area has many sand beaches which contributes to the silting problem. This sand can be dredged out but requires more time because of the water to sand ratio that you must consider. The silt and sand from this cove is pumped to spoil area #4. Harnessing for this cove is difficult due to the shape of the shoreline area.

Cove K: This cove is very long and narrow. The dredging area covers approximately 2-3 acres. This area receives a flow of water only on rain occasions over the past 4 years. There is significant silt carried into this cove due to the adjoining farm ground. The farm ground is being turned into a residential area within the next 2 years so that will help to decrease the amount of silt reaching the lake. The shoreline is completely stabilized and has been greatly improved with the installation of a small spillway area at the very end of the cove. This has helped to stop erosion. The silt from this pond is pumped to spoil area #4. The harnessing in this cove is difficult due to the turns in the cove and a multitude of docks and shore stations.

Cove L: This is a small cove which encompasses an acre of dredging area. This cove receives a small amount of water from springs and a larger amount during rain occasions. The amount of silt entering this cove is getting to be less due to stabilization upstream. The cove bottom is fairly clean as it has been dredged before. The silt from this cove is pumped to spoil area # 4. Again, harnessing is difficult due to docks and shore stations.

Cove M: This is a large cove that receives a significant amount of silt. This cove receives about 20% of the lakes water. This cove has two silt ponds upstream which stops approximately 50-60% of the silt in the normal rainfall. The bottom of the cove has a rock shelf which begins at the halfway point into the cove and gets even shallower as you head toward the end of the cove. The very end of the cove is 1 foot deep and has a solid rock shelf. It is difficult dredging this cove because the rock shelf is fragile and continues releasing fragments as the water moves across it. The rock slows down the dredging operation due to plugs in the pump. There is a high pressure sewer line that is embedded in the rock where the cove turns north. Harnessing is difficult in this cove due to docks and shore stations.

Cove N (Fishing Pond): This pond has been very effective silt removal. It has about 4 acres of dredging area and receives a continuous flow of water. This pond receives a significant amount of silt from upstream farm ground. There are two erosion control dams upstream from this pond to aid in stopping the silt. The bottom of this pond is clean silt with some debris. It is a good area to keep clean. The harnessing on this area is time consuming due to the many bends in the shoreline. The silt from this pond is pumped to spoil areas 2 & 3.