Video Update: Comparison of Water Levels in Osceola’s West Lake

water levels in Osceola's West Lake

Over last week’s “Nice weather break,” Osceola Water Works sent up a drone to get a bird’s-eye view of the water levels at West Lake. The visual level comparisons from late fall are something to see.

With little precipitation in the forecast, the officials are asking everyone to recommit themselves to water conservation and be vigilant about every gallon of water used.

Click through to watch the video and get the latest updates on efforts to help the community through this water crisis…

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Community-Wide Water Conservation Efforts Show Commitment

water conservation success in osceola iowa

Since the water conservation ordinance was increased in October to Section 3 – Water Emergency, the Osceola Water Works team has been working with customers from their largest water users to residential customers to help conserve. In just two months, the results have been quite impressive.

Click through to their latest update to see how the community has come together to help conserve water…

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Urgent Update on Water Levels in Osceola’s West Lake Reservoir (Video)

osceola west lake drought video

The Osceola Water Works team continues to provide updates to the community about drought conditions and to guide customers in efforts to help conserve water. In this post, we provide additional information in the form of video to help illustrate the severity of our ongoing drought situation.

We ask that all Osceola Water Works customers, including residential, commercial, and industrial do their part to help the community and conserve water. For more information on the Water Conservation Ordinance, Section 3 – Water Emergency, please click through to the Osceola Water Works website.

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Drought Conditions Force Osceola Water Board To Increase Water Restrictions

drought conditions in osceola, iowa continue to worssen

The Osceola Water Works Board of Trustees has been closely monitoring water levels at West Lake – Osceola, Iowa’s only water source. With much of the state in drought conditions and output from the lake already exceeding safe withdrawal limits, the board hoped to see some relief in the form of rain, but with no precipitation across the area in recent weeks and none in the immediate forecast, the board acted Thursday night to implement Section 3 of the Water Conservation Ordinance, prohibiting use of municipal water services outside restricted parameters and emergency situations. According to HDR Engineering, the safe

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Water Board Asks for Conservation Diligence as Drought Conditions Worsen

drought levels in osceola west lake

While recent rains did little to mitigate the drought conditions plaguing the entire state, the measurements at Osceola’s West Lake over this past week show water levels continue to drop. On Tuesday the 5th of September, the measurement at the spillway was 61” below normal pool levels. With this information, the Water Board and employees at Osceola Water Works are asking the community to stay diligent with all levels of voluntary water conservation. “With West Lake being Osceola’s only viable water supply, we’re watching levels closely to make sure we can serve our customers safe, clean drinking water,” said Brandon

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New Water Works Board Member and Staff Added to Represent Diverse Community

new water works employees osceola iowa

The Osceola Water Works Board recently had a vacancy with the resignation of board member, Kevin Rivera. Rivera’s absence revealed a loss in representation for the Osceola Water Works customer base. With the Hispanic population increasing throughout the area – 2020 U.S. Census records show Osceola with a 25.9% Hispanic population, 6.8% more than the National segment – the Water Board’s decision to make sure proper representation was maintained made the search for Rivera’s replacement take a little longer than initially expected. Sandra Ramos, the newest addition to the Water Works Board, was appointed on August 15th and will participate

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Water Works Board Passes Section 2 Water Conservation Ordinance

osceola drought conditions august 3 2023

In the Thursday, August 3rd water board meeting, the Osceola Water Works board passed resolution 2023-20 authorizing the implementation of Section 2 of the Water Conservation Ordinance. Due to an exceedingly dry Spring and continued dryer than normal Summer, the water levels at West Lake have seen little to no improvement over drought conditions from 2022. Even with recent rains, the lake levels remain more than 4 feet below drought stage. “We’ve really wanted to avoid this,” said Brandon Patterson, Water Works Superintendent. “But with the entire state under drought conditions, and our lake levels diminishing, we need to be

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Osceola Water Works Launches EPA-Driven Research for Lead Water Lines

For decades, the water lines and infrastructure to residential and commercial properties were made of lead and galvanized metals. With a recent announcement from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), requiring detailed documentation and subsequent reduction of lead and galvanized lines across the nation, the Osceola Water Works Board decided to proactively contract with V&K Engineering to begin the process of gathering data and creating a plan for the replacement of lead and galvanized lines throughout the Osceola water supply. While new construction has required the use of copper and plastic lines, the recent announcement brings past construction and older infrastructure

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Dry Spring Raises Osceola Water Concerns

low water levels in osceola iowa

The adage “April Showers Bring May Flowers” is nice, but when there’s less than expected rainfall, those flowers, and more-so, the water supply throughout the area suffers. Through April, May and June of this year, south central Iowa has seen lower than anticipated rainfall. With temperatures on the rise this week and the dog days of Summer just around the corner, the Osceola Water Works Board and staff are watching the water levels at West Lake closely. “West Lake levels continue to drop,” said Brandon Patterson, Osceola Water Works Superintendent. Our water supply will need to be monitored and we’ll

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Water Works Board Lowers Conservation Restrictions; Voluntary Monitoring Necessary

divers enter west lake to evaluate intake for osceola water works

The Osceola Water Works Board met for their regular monthly meeting and determined that the West Lakes water level which is now at 1069.83, where 1,072 MSL (Mean Sea Level) is considered “Full Pool,” the Board decided to exit Section 2 and enter Section 1.  Conservation Ordinance Section 1 asks the community to voluntarily monitor and conserve water as much as possible. “We want to make sure everyone is aware we’re still asking our customers to watch their water usage and to reduce waste, but some of the restrictions have been lightened until further notice,” said Brandon Patterson, Osceola Water

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