Water

Outlet into

McCook Lake

Pump House

and Pump

location

Wanna Help?
If you are interested in assisting with the lake maintenance, please contact the Lake Association and you will be contacted by the project leader when work days will be held.
Take a guess!
Q:  How long is the pipe from the Missouri River to McCook Lake?

A:  7,550 feet long

Water Pumping

Today, a 24-inch diameter pipe connects the Missouri River through the Adams Nature Preserve to the southwest corner of the lake.  Water is pumped from the river in the spring and summer months to keep the lake from draining away. Pumping water into the lake costs about $5,000 per month.  Money for pumping has not come from taxpayers and is not currently charged to the lake's residents. Voluntary Membership Dues, a grant from North Sioux City, and the Lake Association's Admiral's Stag are currently the largest sources of revenue.

New funding sources are continuously reviewed as the three pumps and pump house were heavily damaged in the Missouri River flooding in 2011. (The Lake Association also worked with the City of North Sioux City to pump water from the lake back to the Missouri River during the flooding of 2011.)

In April 2014, all three pumps were run concurrently for the first time since Spring of 2010.  The goal at the time was to fill the lake as quickly as possible to prevent erosion into the lake. 

Also in May and June 2014, it was noted that the pumps were sucking up excessive amounts of sand and ruined the bearings in the large pump before anticipated, and it needed to be shut down.  The sand was likely a result of the Missouri River flooding. The two smaller, less efficient pumps and higher than average rain fall kept the lake at ideal levels for the remaining 2014 season.

The MLA purchased two used pumps to replace the large pump.  One was placed in operation for 2015, with the other one as a back-up. 

A variable speed drive was also installed, allowing more control of how much water was being pumped.  Instead of just "ON" or "OFF", the speed of the pump can now be adjusted to keep the lake level at a more consistent height and with lower energy costs.

In June of 2019, one of the older, smaller pumps was put back into service to "dewater" the lake to prevent damage from high water and to be able to remove the "no wake" designation.

In Spring 2020, a structure was added to the pump structure to aid in lifting the pump mechanism out of the water.  The motor was also swapped out for repairs since it was under water in 2019.

We are always looking for volunteers to help with maintaining the lake.  Contact any board member if interested.








Supporting our Lake