Beginning in July 2017, the City of Texarkana, Texas will work in conjunction with Tatum Excavating Company (TEC) to dredge the Spring Lake Park Pond. The project is part of the City’s current Capital Improvement Plan and is estimated to cost approximately $875,000.
Dredging activities will bring the pond to a depth of 10 feet, and the pond will be dewatered to facilitate the construction efforts. The project will also include the installation of gabion baskets with rock to support and enhance the perimeter of the pond.
Annual pond maintenance will not be conducted this year considering the scope and time frame of the dredging project.
Before the dredging and construction activities begin, aquatic resource relocation efforts will be completed during a 2- to 3-day period before the lake is partially drained. These aquatic species recovery and relocation activities are required within the pond in accordance with Chapters 67 and 68 (Sections 68.002 and 68.015) of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Code, 31 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §65.175, §65.176, and the TPWD Aquatic Resource Relocation Plan (ARRP) Guidelines prior to dewatering by trained biologists. In addition, TPWD requires that an ARRP be prepared prior to any relocation activities.
In the case of the Spring Lake Park pond, all recovered organisms will be identified, recorded and released at a pre-selected relocation site. Fish recovery and relocation will be completed using a small boat and Smith and Root shocking unit. Pre-selected relocation sites have been selected based on their similarity to the Spring Lake Park pond in depth, temperature and other factors to minimize the stress on the organisms.
All fish, live and dead, will be collected, identified, measured and recorded. Live fish will be stored in coolers (76 to 151 liters; 20 to 40 gallon) containing fresh water from the pond. Fish will then be placed in an aerated holding tank, and then transported to the Pre-Selected Relocation Site via truck. Fish will be handled as little as possible to minimize stress on the organisms.
