The federal Bureau of Reclamation is advising the public to be aware of rapidly changing ice conditions on Patterson Lake on the Heart River southwest of Dickinson.
The bureau is lowering the lake level about a foot over the next two weeks to allow safe operation of the Dickinson Dam gate and spillway through the winter months.
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“Although ice has formed on the lake, we still have high water inflows from the Heart River into the lake,” Dakotas Area Office Manager Arden Freitag said. “Lowering the lake water level now will prevent ice buildup on the dam’s gate, allowing us to safely operate the dam.”
Changing water elevations can create areas of thin ice that are dangerous for people recreating on the lake.
For more information, contact Patience Mosbrucker at (701) 221-1204.