Supporting our Lake



2011

The year 2011 was a pivotal one for McCook Lake.  With the record-high flooding on the Missouri River, ground water levels were at an all-time high, pushing the lake levels up as well.


Already in August of 2010, a no-wake zone was implemented on the lake to prevent concerns with shoreline erosion, and those concerns continued in 2011.


The Flood of 2011 affected McCook Lake in several negative ways.  The flood severely damaged our pumping equipment located at the river.  McCook Lake maintains its water level during a normal season by pumping water 1 1/2 miles from the Missouri River.  High waters damaged some of our resources and destroyed others.


The unprecedented flooding affected McCook Lake and resulted in a maximum water level of 1096.00. With help from the City of North Sioux City, the McCook Lake Association was able to reverse the pipeline that typically pumps water into the lake, and pump water back to the Missouri River. These measures helped reduce/prevent damage to Lake homeowners and the our city's sewer system.


Several Lake Board members that met with Governor Daugaard. Several state and local officals also joined in the in October 2011 meeting to seek state assistance for flood repairs. Phase 1 of the repair to the pumping system took place on March 3, 2012.  Many volunteers supplied their time, tools, and equipment.  The pictures you see here help capture some of the work done that day.

Phase 2 involved the rebuilding of the pumphouse that was destroyed in the flood.  This also required major participation from the Lake Association Board and other volunteers. The pump house project required three full weekends and over 500 volunteer hours.  The structure houses and protects all the electrical gear and the two smaller pumps, which will be repaired and installed in the future. Replacement of the electrical gear to get the large pump wired and ready to pump for the 2012 season took place in April and pumping began May 14.  The lake level committee has determined that the association will pump water to maintain water levels at 1088.00, which is 2.7 feet below the level that the DNR allows.  This level is also over one foot lower than in previous years.


In April of 2014, all three pumps were started again for the first time since the flood.Additional work was completed on the pump house.