County lake expanding pair of docks

Marion County Park and Lake will expand a pair of public docks for $6,271.

A dock by the lake’s boat ramp will have an additional arm for loading and unloading. Spots at that dock generally rent for $10 a day, but loading will be free.

A dock in the swimming area will be expanded, increasing the space for sunbathing at the beach, superintendent Steve Hudson said. Cost of the two expansions will be $6,271.

Hudson also will purchase seven replacement buoys costing $2,214. He said several were cracked and others had lost reflective lettering.

Hudson will seek bids from Marion and Florence, as well as Waste Connections of Wichita, to empty trash bins at the lake. The county’s contract with Florence expired earlier this year. Florence has been providing trash service without a contract since April.

Hardly any new campers arrived over the Independence Day holiday at the lake, Hudson said. He said he received several calls from people concerned about reports of toxic blue-green algae at Marion Reservoir.

The reservoir had several warnings this summer, but none have affected the lake.

Hudson said television reports often referred to the reservoir as Marion Lake, causing confusion.

Commissioner Dan Holub said he would ask Kansas Department of Health and Environment to more clearly distinguish between the reservoir and county lake.

KDHE releases already do distinguish between the two.