Lekwa Marsh lake access improvements discussed

About 50 persons stopped at the Lekwa Marsh access Monday to learn about planned improvemens. -Reporter photo.

Hobie Cat fleet concerned about losing space for sailboat launch

A steady stream of about 50 persons listened to plans by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and shared their ideas for improvements to the Lekwa Marsh area during an open house Monday afternoon at the south shore lake access.

The DNR intends to develop the public access across the road from Lekwa Marsh into a day use area that can be used as a launching point for shallow bottom boats including canoes and kayaks. The access point can also be used for fishing and will initially include some amenities including some picnic tables, a grill, a portable restroom and some informational signage.

“Primarily people seem happy to see something being done at the area.  Most liked the idea of having a day use area with some tables and stand up grill,” said Josh Rembe, ranger at Clear Lake State Park.  Management of the Lekwa Marsh access on the north side of South Shore Drive is being transferred from the DNR’s Wildlife Bureau to Rembe in the Parks Bureau.

Historically the lake access at Lekwa Marsh has consisted of a small parking lot and primitive boat ramp.  The site has been primarily used as a canoe and kayak boat launch and receives considerable use during the winters as an ice fishing access point.  The popularity of canoeing and kayaking is one of the fastest growing outdoor recreational activities and improvements to the access will provide greater opportunity, as well as taking pressure off of existing boat ramps around the lake.

DNR officials say the parking and mooring of private boats and trailers throughout the summer on the state land is an issue.  During summer months, the DNR estimates one to two trailers are parked and between five to 10 boats are pulled on the shoreline— many for the entire season.

Additionally, the area is used as a mooring site for a large barge owned by a landscaping company.  Rock dropped at the access and loaded onto the barge has started to greatly impact emerging vegetation found along the shoreline at the area, according to DNR Fisheries Biologist Scott Grummer.

Representatives from three dock and hoist companies serving Clear Lake were on hand to ask questions Monday.  Overall, the business owners seemed supportive of the DNR’s plans to improve the site.  The changes will not greatly effect their business, as they may continue to use the access for hauling hoist and dock materials.  However, there can be no mooring at the site between sunset and sunrise.

The no mooring rule has members of Hobie Cat Fleet 10 concerned.  Member Chris Wessels delivered a letter to DNR representatives Monday on behalf of Fleet 10 Commodore Steve Brewer, from Cedar Falls, Iowa.

“We have enjoyed the privilege of using the marsh for 30-plus years.  We typically have three to five boats beached there, of which four race regularly.  This represents half of our club,” the letter explained.  “Beach cats require this type of space to launch and dock.  These members do not live on the lake.  Without this type of access, our club will dwindle and certainly will not grow.”

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The Hobie club is proposing tie down access for four to five catamarans at any location on the access.  The group would not store trailers there, as in the past, and would pay a permit fee, keep the area clean and safe, and stay out of the way of other patrons.

“Fleet 10 is one of the original Hobie fleets of several hundred across the nation and world,” Brewer’s letter continued.  “In addition to sailing on Saturday and Sunday with the Clear Lake Yacht Club, we travel to venues around the country representing our club and Clear Lake.”  The club has also hosted national and regional events at Clear Lake, positively impacting the local economy, he added.

Rembe noted extended stay parking on state property has always been prohibited, however it has not been enforced at the site.  With the improvements, the DNR is looking to change that, however the Hobie Fleet’s concerns were noted and will be reviewed, he said.

Work has already begun to remove some small willows from the shoreline at the lake access and rip rap will be used this spring to stabilize the shoreline.  Rembe said he is currently gathering bids for the rip rap and fill dirt needed.  DNR staff will then spread grass seed.  Weather permitting, he is hopeful the area will be an inviting spot for the public by mid-summer.  The Chamber of Commerce has offered to donate a bicycle rack it is no longer using and an interpretive panel may eventually be placed at the site.

Residents of the area suggested attention be given to making access in and out of the area as safe as possible with the heavy traffic South Shore receives.  Rembe said although it is not in the immediate plans, a small dock with a place to load and unload a kayak was also a popular suggestion for the area.

Lekwa Marsh History

Lekwa Marsh is a small Wildlife Management Area (WMA) on the south shore of Clear Lake.  It was purchased in four separate tracts from 1925 – 1965. Two of the small tracts are listed under the ownership of State Parks, with management being the responsibility of the Wildlife Bureau. The area is approximately 48 acres in size with mixed woodland (13.8 acres), wetland (14.1 acres), and the remainder is uplands, shrubs, and/or roadway. 

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