Black Hawk County unveils restored Casey Lake after multi-year, $3.3 million effort

Black Hawk County officials and Iowa Department of Natural Resources staff marked the completion of a multi-year restoration of Casey Lake at Hickory Hills Park with a ribbon-cutting and guided viewing of a new interpretive sign.

"It's a privilege to be standing here," said Mike, the county presenter, opening the ceremony and introducing a drone video and project partners. County organizers said the work aimed to restore water quality, expand recreational access and create a long-term learning site for watershed practices.

Michelle Balmer, restoration program coordinator for the Iowa DNR Lake Restoration Program, provided construction and funding details: "A little over 138,000 cubic yards of sediment were removed from this lake and over 3,000 ft of shoreline were stabilized," she said, adding that the improvements include renovated watershed ponds and three to four new bays to trap sediment before it reaches the lake. "All told, the investment was about $3.3 million, with our program contributing just under $2.5 million to the partnership," Balmer said.

Officials described technical work completed around the 38-acre lake: stream restoration on the west end, shoreline armoring, large amounts of fish-structure placed on the bottom of the lake, GPS-marked habitat features and timber-stand improvement work to reduce non-native understory. Balmer also credited engineering consultants and construction contractors for carrying project plans to completion.

County leaders emphasized community and economic benefits. "The Casey Lake restoration project is a great example of the balance in action," said Linda Leland, chair of the Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors, who said cleaner water and new amenities would boost tourism and strengthen local recreation opportunities. Balmer noted the park attracts about 40,000 visitors annually and cited a DNR user-survey figure of roughly $170 in spending per trip.

Terry Rogers, representing the Black Hawk County Conservation Board, said the work increases access for anglers and nonboaters alike with jetties, a kayak ramp and a new west-end dock built with RAP grant support. "Anyone can come and fish from those jetties and from those little structures," Rogers said, adding that the park's lodge is heavily used for weddings and other events.

Speakers thanked partners who helped fund and deliver the effort, including the Iowa DNR Lake Restoration cost-share program, the Black Hawk County Board of Supervisors, the Black Hawk County Gaming Association, the Young Family Foundation, consulting engineers and local contractors. The ceremony ended with a viewing of an interpretive sign that summarizes the project's history and a ceremonial ribbon cutting at the stone terrace.

Organizers said the site will serve as a learning lab for watershed practices and encouraged visitors to use the improved access and informational signage. No formal board action or vote occurred at the ceremony.