Feasibility and benefits of reclaiming a man-made lake: A case study of Lake Paradise Mattoon, Illinois

Stout, Glenn E.; Buhr, Richard; Deo, Susan R.; Barcelona, Michael J.; Absher, James; Musser, Douglas

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/90052 Copy

Description

Title

Feasibility and benefits of reclaiming a man-made lake: A case study of Lake Paradise Mattoon, Illinois

Author(s)

• Stout, Glenn E.
• Buhr, Richard
• Deo, Susan R.
• Barcelona, Michael J.
• Absher, James
• Musser, Douglas

Contributor(s)

• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• Illinois Department of Energy and Natural Resources‏

Issue Date

1982-07

Keyword(s)

• Water resource development
• Water resource development--Illinois
• Human dimensions
• Artificial lakes
• Dredging
• Economic evaluation
• Lake management
• Lake reclamation
• Lake restoration
• Lake sediments
• Outdoor recreation
• Recreation planning
• Sediments
• Water-based recreation

Geographic Coverage

Illinois (state)

Abstract

Man-made lakes in Illinois and other states are experiencing severe sedimentation problems, which reduce water-storage capacities and degrade water quality, as well as limit recreational opportunities. In a pilot project at Lake Paradise, Mattoon, Illinois, a number of studies have been conducted on the feasibility and benefits of lake reclamation. Included are studies on the feasibility of dredging Lake Paradise, on the importance of recreation planning to lake reclamation, and on the economics of lake reclamation. The Lake Paradise studies indicate that the sediment of Lake Paradise can be dredged to increase storage capacity and improve water quality and that the sediment can probably be restored as a soil amendment to the surrounding farmland. The studies also indicate that recreation should be an important consideration of lake reclamation planning and that lake reclamation may be cost-efficient compared to other alternatives such as constructing additional water-supply reservoirs. It is recommended that Illinois communities that are experiencing problems with their lakes due to sediment suspension and accumulation should consider lake reclamation as one possible element of a water resources management program. In evaluating the potential of lake reclamation, communities should conduct studies to determine the feasibility of dredging and the uses of the dredged sediments, the economic benefits of reclamation as compared to other alternatives, and the perceptions that local residents have of the benefits of reclaiming a lake. It is also recommended that further research studies of the economics and techniques of dredging and sediment disposal be conducted.

Publisher

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Water Resources Center

Type of Resource

text

Language

en

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/90052

Sponsor(s)/Grant Number(s)

• U.S. Department of the Interior
• U.S. Geological Survey

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 1982 held by the authors

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