EAGLE LAKE

3 YEAR WATER LEVEL MONITORING OBSERVATIONS

2008 – 2011

1. On May 29, 2008 the lake level was measured at 4” below the high water mark.  On May 28, 2011 the lake level was measured at 3.5” below the high water mark. 
2. During the first week of September 2008, the lake received over 10” of rain from the remnants of a hurricane. The lake level went from 9” below the high water mark to 1.5” above the high water mark in 4 days. (Note: Water level above the high water mark begins to negatively affect the crawl spaces and basements of some of the homes around the lake.
3. The spring of 2009 had the highest lake levels, all of which were over the high water mark through the middle of July. ( High point of +8.25”)
4. The spring of 2010 also had high lake levels over the high water mark through the middle of June. ( High point of +1.5”)
5. The spring of 2011 started with a lower lake level due to a relatively dry fall in 2010 and less snow.  April rain in 2011 was over 6” however.  The pump was running in April so the combination of rain and pump raised the lake 8” from a low of – 12” below the high water mark to – 4” below the mark. May rain also totaled 6”. As of June 1, 2011 we are 2.5” below the high water mark.
6. The high water point occurred on April 30, 2009 at plus 8.25”, and the low water point occurred through the late fall and winter of 2010 ending on April 7, 2011 at minus 12”.
7. Not only has actual lake level monitoring occurred during this period of time but monthly precipitation totals have also been monitored which affect the level of the lake.

EAGLE LAKE NOTES AND SUMMARY  

Unlike many lakes, Eagle Lake does not have streams and rivers which enter and exit the lake thereby assisting with lake level control. The lake has a deep well pump which has the ability to add water to the lake level, but does not have any ability to lower the lake level should it approach or exceed the official high water mark. Evaporation is the main controlling factor. Due to this characteristic, it is extremely important to have a water monitoring plan in place which attempts (as best as we can) to maintain the lake level below the official high water mark for enjoyable water activities, but at the same time be vigilant to avoid the negative effects of potential high water flooding. With the exception of the high water spring of 2009, our monitoring plan has seemed to work well. After 3 years, operating with an objective measurable plan, we are (as of May 28, 2011) within a half an inch of where we started on May 29, 2008 which was 4” below the high water mark.