Latest Update on Poinsett from Rick Smith

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LITTLE TO NO MOWING....YEAH....READ ON!

-----Original Message-----
From: Smith, Richard - Hayti, SD
Sent: Thursday, May 19, 2011 4:22 PM
Subject: May 19,2011 Poinsett Update

Lake levels-
Waited until today to get probably best reading of the week. Forecast is
for potential heavy rain (2+inches) over next 72 hours. Current Poinsett
level is 1655.97 which would be a little more than 18 inches down from
the peak this Spring, but still 5 1/2 ft above full. Lake Marsh has
dropped 1 ft from its high, but county roads around it remain underwater
although some are driving through one of the spots. North and South of
Hayti remain closed to all traffic.

Erosion and water clarity-
We've had some wind this week but pretty much contained to less than 20
MPH, and with the lake dropping, it resulted in little erosion. Water
has really cleared up with no new sediment being pulled in off the
shorelines.

Checking on damaged shoreline-
I walked the entire NE Lake Drive shoreline today and will continue so
around the lake as time permits. Each lot is so different in what has or
hasn't happened, how it could be fixed and what the owner is willing or
able to do. There is opportunity for some areas to begin fixing or
adding to protection now, but the majority will still have to wait for
lower water conditions. I was actually quite pleased at how well much of
the past work had held together when done right, with new erosion only
happening because we reached a higher elevation. Of course other sites
that had not participated in the shoreline stabilization practice
previously have severe damage. Several cabins need to seriously consider
being raised and/or moved back from the shoreline before considering
shoreline work. I'm still struggling with trying to approve of the
vertical walls of any kind. The high splash effect on structures and
lawns looks to have done the majority of damage. Again, sloped
shorelines had the least damage. The other factor on the severely eroded
shorelines was where at one time or another excavation or fill from
cabin or house construction was deposited near the shoreline to level
out a lawn, but create a drop off to the lake.
The Estelline Township did bring in rock to elevate the road on NE Lake
Drive so that owners have a dry access road.

Choosing a grass species for a lake cabin- I know that many residents
like a green short mowed or trimmed lawn. Many residents will eventually
be reseeding their lawns after some of the damage to shoreline has been
fixed. Now would be a good time to consider making a change to your
grass lawn concept. First consider the prominent grass type presently
used. Kentucky Bluegrass can survive being mowed really short, but needs
to be mowed once a week and has a very shallow root system under this
scenario of weekly mowing. With the erosion that happened it is very
easy to see how shallow the root structure was on these grass lawns, and
it takes deep roots to stabilize soil. Plus how many of you long to get
to the lake so you can mow the grass, fertilize the grass, spray for
weeds and rarely, lately, turn on the water sprinkler?
An option to consider is choosing a low maintenance grass that requires
no mowing or at least less than 3 times a year mowing, sends roots deep
into sandy and gravelly soils (no watering), is slow to start growth in
Spring, maintains green color and softness during hottest part of
summer, and has a pleasant tan or straw coloration in the fall. You can
top it off with being a native SD species acclimated to whatever Mother
nature dishes out.
While buffalo grass (6 in.) and blue grama (4-12 in.) are commercially
promoted for this xeriscape purpose, they are hard to establish (but
worth the effort if you have determination). We have found that Sideoats
grama has been a very good choice for the above mentioned qualities and
much easier establishment. We recommend this grass for the area between
rows of new shelterbelt plantings as it can handle some shade, fills in
relatively fast to keep out weeds and doesn't create a lot of biomass to
accumulate. We have planted this on some 'God Awful' stony, gravelly
excavated soil behind our office building and it has flourished needing
only one or two mowing per summer to keep presentable if desired that
way. The key to establishing it for a lawn is to plant it thick as it
will not spread as fast as bluegrass. If you are interested in a better
grass for your lake cabin lot, consider sideoats grama or any of a mix
of these better options. I can direct any inquiries to seed dealers that
can offer more specific answers.

Rick Smith
Lake Poinsett Watershed Coordinator
PO Box 165
Hayti, SD 57241
605-783-3353