Bowman mapping POA lakes

The Lakes Committee met without a quorum last week and used the time to hear from Property Owners Association staff about the lakes.

Lakes and Parks Superintendent Vern Olafson told the group that he's working with the Highlands Church to provide parking for the annual Homes Tour. Because one of the homes on the tour has very limited parking, the plan is to have people park their vehicles near the Granton Park boat launch and give the participants the choice of a pontoon boat ride to the home or a traditional shuttle ride. The boat launch, Olafson said, will be open that day.

He also told the committee that he's working with Fire Chief Steve Sims on a plan to burn weeds on each of the dams around Bella Vista as part of a regular maintenance program.

Fish biologist Darrel Bowman told them that he's working with a professional to map all the lakes in Bella Vista. It will help determine when or if lakes need dredging because of excess sediment. Although, he explained, the POA board has to make the final decision about maintaining the original shore line or allowing some coves to filled in.

The research projects Bowman coordinated with the University of Arkansas are coming to a close, he said, and that may mean that the three Solar Bees in Lake Norwood will be removed. The devices were loaned to POA for research purposes.

They were used to pull nutrient rich waters from the bottom of the lake for circulation near the top. The U of A is now compiling the results of the three-year experiment. Bowman said the company may offer to sell the Solar Bees to the POA at a discounted price, but he's not sure if that's the best way to use POA funds.

Vice chairman Jerry Argetsinger was part of a committee that looked at possible problems with large inflatable toys anchored in the lakes. He saw only a few trampolines that were anchored away from a dock, but he also found floating pads, about two inches thick, anchored in the water. The pads are very thin and difficult to see, especially at night. He recommended that the POA consider a policy requiring owners to pull their pads in at night.

Last week, the committee recommended a policy that would outlaw leaves being blown or dumped in POA lakes. Board member Dave Barfield reported the POA may need the help of the city to outlaw the practice.