Landowners surrounding Beaver Lake in Yankton County are in distress about changes to the lake that occurred after reconstruction of the bridge and spillway on the south edge. The South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission met with residents about their concerns last fall, but communication ended when GFP officials refused to continue meeting with residents to solve the dispute. That’s according to Cheri Loest, who represented herself and other land owners at a meeting of the Yankton County Commission Monday.
Property owners brought forth evidence to the Yankton County Commission showing that the lake is no longer filling to the levels seen before construction took place. Loest showed pictures of obvious reed and vegetation overgrowth around the shoreline and in the center of the lake. She says besides the loss of property value due to the vegetation fire hazard and loss of water depth, the residents have concerns with the bridge design.
The GFP claims the elevation and spillway on the new bridge match the measurements of the previous bridge, which was demolished and rebuilt due to age and deterioration. Loest, along with many property owners disagree and are hoping to have the lake restored to its previous depth.
County commission members decided to write the GFP to encourage further communication, but did not take any other action on the dispute.
