Fountain Lake Restoration Project begins - KTTC Rochester, Austin, Mason City News, Weather and Sports

AUSTIN, Minn. (KTTC) -- Only months after purchasing a 51-foot dredge as part of a restoration project on Fountain Lake, the Shell Rock River Watershed District Board of Managers passed a resolution to initiate the Fountain Lake Restoration Project.

"We're actually looking at what depths to dredge at, what parts of the lake to dredge," said Andy Henschel, Director of Field Operations.  "Those are all pretty interesting stuff that the staff and the public like to see."

According to Henschel, many people from the community have expressed excitement over the project and the new life it will bring to the lake.  The board's decision not only begins improvements to Fountain Lake's habitat and waters, but establishes the beginning of construction on a fish barrier in Albert Lea Lake.

The projects have been in the planning stages for years and much of the funding has already been collected.  Now, the process will include the engineering, permitting and land acquisition phases.  Construction on the lakes may begin as early as next fall.