I am using this space for an opinion and possibly some insight from others who may find this story worthy. The location is Washington County and the lake in question is Lake Salinda. As we enter the third straight year of off limits to boats and constant draining and refilling I give this update.
Three years ago we had swelling rains which took out about a 6 foot section of the concrete overflow of the lake which supplies water for part of the county. Funding has left us three years later wondering just how the local govt. could let this go on. Engineers have a plan but most have never really heard it. Rumors are the lake will be drained and silt removed. Facts are few and far between. The fishing in the once healthy lake is far from years of the past. Without boating fisherman I have my doubts about its health.
My father and his best friend have catfished this lake for all my life. They still are the regulars on the banks as the sit 6 feet down the bank as they may have days ago. My father is cancer stricken now and still finds the strength to only be with his friend on the lake bank when he can. I sit with him often and talk about the old days on our city lake. I often wonder if he will see this lake (his favorite place) flourish again. My cries fall on deaf ears locally as do others who plea. As a life long fisherman and lover of waters I just fear losing our waters at all. I was taught by my father how to fish on this lake some 30 years ago. It is always sentimental in my heart just to pull up to the water. I want to see this lake up and healthy again.
Present time it is said work will begin in August on this overflow. After a new City Hall has been built and raises among city officials in the last three years I guess the least important things will get attention. I will believe when I see.
Thanks for letting me tell this and love your waters. They may not be there forever.
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