A Positive Conservation Outlook, as Data Shows Lake Levels Holding Steady

osceola iowa west lake levels

Osceola Water Works and City Officials are sharing a positive outlook at trending lake levels in Osceola’s West Lake. With seasonal usage down and steady conservation commitment from the community and local businesses, engineering data, physical water level measurements in West Lake and more show levels stabilizing.

Click through to the latest to read more…

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Important Update RE: Lower Intake Project at West Lake: 11/19/23

On 11/18/2023 and 11/19/2023 divers were onsite at West Lake.  By the end of the day on the 19th, the reconfigured intake extension was successfully installed and water works crews tested pulling water from that lower intake. Due to low lake levels, Water Works staff will begin transitioning over to pulling water from the lower intake in the next few weeks.  Osceola Water Works will continue to provide updates before this change occurs. With the extra capacity added from raising the intake, the seasonal decrease in usage as well as the success with conservation measures, Osceola Water Works estimates the

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Important Update Regarding Lower Intake Project at West Lake: 11/15/23

water intake updated for osceola's west lake

Below is a schedule of activities pertaining to raising the lower intake: Nov 4 – 5 Dive team was onsite to install components to raise the lower intake 4 feet.  A large rock located in the intake area created challenges for the divers to effectively raise the intake.  It was determined that a portion of the rock would need to be removed. Nov 11 Dive team was onsite to cut a decent sized chunk of the rock out of the way.  They now feel they have enough clearance to raise the intake. Nov 18 – 19 Four dive team members

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Water Works Team Addresses Water Quality at Lower Levels

With the lower levels of water in West Lake, quality challenges have become more apparent and require a change in the disinfection process. To help mitigate bacteria and other issues at lower levels in West Lake, a free-chlorine disinfection process will begin.

Click through to learn what you can do about the changes in your 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 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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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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Spring has Sprung, but Water Works Warns of Usage Restrictions

west lake water supply for osceola iowa

We love to see the grass greener and the flowers blooming. The signs of Spring have definitely started, but even with the recent storms, the water levels in West Lake are still below levels to properly meet demand for the community. Brandon Patterson, Osceola Water Works Water Superintendent recently sent an update to Osceola’s City Administrator warning of the condition of water at West Lake. “We’re currently asking Osceola water users to operate under Water Conservation Plan: Section 2,” said Patterson. “Once we have confirmation updates to the intake can be made, or until we receive some substantial Spring rain,

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