ARNOLD – The Arnold Recreation Area Lake currently has a vast amount of vegetation growth and a lack of water circulation.
The unfortunate consequences include a foul smell and overgrown algae and moss that inhibit the use of the lake and surrounding camping area for both visitors and those that yearn to use the area regularly.
The overgrowth can cause problems for the fish, including decreased oxygen supply, too much cover for small fish, larger fish not being able to feed, and some algae releasing toxins that are not only harmful to the fish, but also to pets and humans.
When Arnold sophomore Ethan Furne joined the newly formed Rotary Interact service club and needed a project, he set his sights on improving the condition of the lake by raising funds to purchase aerator fountains.
“I love to fish, kayak, and swim at the lake, but because of all the algae growth, it was becoming very hard to enjoy those activities,” he said. “As an interactor, I have taken on the leadership responsibility of the lake project. Our goal is to restore the lake to its glory and create a natural utopia.”
His project, “Arnold Revitalizing Fountains,” will benefit thousands who visit the lake each year.
Ethan researched the cost of aerating fountains. The cost of the fountains – one large and two small – totaled $11,374.74, but would be well worth it. The fountains will provide several benefits, including reducing algae growth, improving water circulation, getting rid of the foul smell, and bringing in more campers to the area for swimming and fishing for several years to come.
“The Arnold Lake is shaped in a way where one fountain won’t do the trick. It has a large middle portion requiring a three horsepower fountain that circulates 800 gallons of water per minute and the two 3/4 horsepower fountains in the budget will go in the corners of the lake,” said Ethan.
Ethan received approval from the Village Board to provide electricity and fountain and chemical maintenance by the employees. This was a key piece of continued funding that he would need.
After extensive research with the Nebraska Game and Parks Aquatic Division, the first step in doing all of the work with the Village employees and the Village Board will be to purchase Cutrine Plus Granular Form – an algaecide that is perfect in killing off filamentous and planktonic algae. Cutrine Plus is non-harmful to fish when distributed in the lake for periods of time.
Through the grant writing process, $8,250.00 has been raised from three sources: The Arnold Community Foundation, Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation, and Arnold Rotary. Other grants have been applied for and Ethan is waiting for those results. Donations will always be accepted by calling Ethan at 308-636-6014.
The proposed date of implementation is Earth Day, April 22, 2023, and Ethan is hoping that the fountains will be installed in late June or early July, at the latest.
“I am very excited about how this project has come along. In December it was a dream and now it’s becoming a reality. There is still a long process ahead, but the end result will be amazing,” said Ethan.
