Cass County parks staff report rapid water loss at swim quarry; commissioners asked to inspect

Parks department staff told Cass County Commissioners that the county's swim quarry and Lake Sykes have been losing water and that exposed limestone is reducing the beach area.

The parks presenter said the park has lost about an inch of water per month since March and about 13 inches since December, with the quarry's depth profile changing rapidly. "It's getting smaller... where it's billied off is limited," the parks presenter said, noting the beach area now shows limestone and a steep drop to 20 feet close to shore. Staff asked commissioners to visit the park to review the issue and consider whether reduced water levels could affect operations or public-safety decisions, such as swim-area closures.

Commissioners acknowledged the low river and lake levels and reiterated a county burn ban because of lack of water.