History: 

The Lake Kampeska Water Project District (LKWPD) was established on November 17, 1986.  The first elected Board members were Steve Lowrie, Gary Williams, John Wiles, Joe Iverson, Tom Green, Paul Hinderaker and Greg Forsberg.  Steve Lowrie was the first Chairperson and held that post for several years.

The first Annual Meeting took place on April 17, 1987 and it has been scheduled for the last Monday in April ever since (with the exception of 1997 due to the flood).  At this first Annual Meeting the Board approved a contract with the Army Corps of Engineers to begin studying the feasibility of a dam north of Watertown to protect the lake and the city from flood waters.

Later in 1987, the Board outlined three major projects to be undertaken: working with the Corps of Engineers to study the feasibility of a dam north of Watertown; rip-raping of shorelines that are eroding into the lake; and dredging.

The Corps of Engineers completed its analysis of the feasibility of a dam north of Watertown and the voters passed a referendum to pursue this development in 2001.  Two previous votes to pursue the project were defeated in 1993 and 1998.  Funding for the estimated $2 million cost to complete the studies has come through the federal government.  About $1.2 million worth of work has been completed and a request is before Congress for an additional $450,000 for funding in 2007.

Rip-rapping of large sections of the shores of Kampeska started during the 1990’s with financial assistance from the federal government.  Also during this time, the LKWPD undertook a project to erect a weir at the inlet/outlet of the river.  The purpose of the structure is to divert early spring runoff and not allow this sediment into the lake.  The weir height is set to divert low-river flows, so in the event of a major flood, the lake still will take in a  substantial amount of river water.

The Board has also consistently funded efforts to improve the water quality in the Upper Big Sioux.  LKWPD has funded projects in the Upper Big Sioux area in excess of $130,000.  These projects have included riverbank stabilization, agricultural-waste treatment and other efforts to improve water quality of the Big Sioux River and reduce sedimentation. 

Sediment accumulation in Lake Kampeska has been studied extensively by many researchers.  A detailed history can be found in the USGS publication, “Sediment Accumulation and Distribution in Lake Kampeska, Watertown, South Dakota”, 2002.

Dredging the lake is still a topic of interest to the Board and is under consideration in a modified or limited manner.  Further discussions of this possibility are pending. 

Another project of interest is the attempt to remove phosphates from the lake.  Dave German, from SDSU, is studying the feasibility of using the water treatment facility to remove phosphates when the lake is in an algae bloom. The facility is scheduled to come off line in 2009. Results also are pending on this study.

The Board does not have any regularly scheduled meetings, but continues to meet whenever necessary.