Yeah...the article says they're going to filter the water...uh huh!
Can you imagine the costs of maintaining these "filters". The Bangetter shrimp pumps at Great Salt Lake spring to mind. And then the aquarium style purple aerators? Can you just imagine the additional costs for these in a mile long lake? Guess who will be paying those costs. Wonder if all these perks will be added to the CC&R's for these homeowners.
Oh yes...and let us not forget the trophy mosquito hatches that occur in all marshes and wetlands. Hope they're going to include 55 gallon drums of repellent as a closing perk at purchase.
The article also mentions that the deepest point will be around 18 feet deep. I hate to remind these rocket scientists that we have other urban ponds in this area and every one of them heat up significantly in this desert environment to the point of stressing out and killing many of the "official" Utah fish the Trout. I wonder if they are also going to provide refrigeration to keep the water temperature down. Even smallies once reaching a certain size stress under water temperatures above 72 degrees.
And let's talk about structure. How inviting to migrating birds is an island in the middle of an aerated (open water in winter) lake that is protected from hunting with plush green manicured lawns all around the shoreline. Riprap or not...what a great refuge this is going to make. And let's also not forget...the bleeding hearts that will automatically begin a feeding program creating the urban goose who doesn't migrate in winter. These avian bullies will stick around all year becoming acclimated to their human hosts.
Oh...and lets not forget mating season for those honkers. Have any of you been on a golf course when they've taken over the 9th hole?
This may prove to be a classic comedy of errors.
Don't get me wrong...I think every community should have a lake of their own. We really need 10 - 15 more in the valley. But I have to
at the prospect of the Bird, Bee, and Bunny lover mentality projected with this aquatic endeavor.
Wonder how the local's domestic animals are going to fair, when they harass a federally protected duck or goose especially in the spring. Once their nests have been established...it is unlawful to harass these so called "cows of the sky."
Of course...Stansbury is a classic example of public money being dumped into an open to the public fishery in the beginning only to see it fall into a special permit private water. I can see the writing on the wall here. What they say and what they do will be two different things. We may be allowed to wet a line the first couple of years, until all the property is sold...and those rich and shameless multi-million dollar castles are built...but then...friends...pauper and pawns will be cast out. Mark my words...and remember how it was in the past (remember Stansbury).
Now lets address catch and release. I think that's what they said this type of fishery this would be. But I ask...is this going to be an artificial lure catch and release lake or is bait (power bait), cheese, marshmallows, worms, etc...going to be allowed. Because I wonder how you release a trout that is gut-hooked (treble hook with cheese). Not to mention the aestetics of the area...with worm containers, empty cheese and salmon egg bottles, and broken fishing line draped all amongst the riprap indigious to all fisheries.
Will they have a Kennecott guard posted to ticket violators of the clean urban shoreline private property act? Another cost to be added to the public for the private property owner?
Here's what they're thinking about the food chain:
Top feeders (trout) will feed on the insect life...and only the smallest of the bluegill and bass frye.
Top feeders (smallmouth) will feed on insect life and small bluegill and the trout frye if available.
Middle feeders (blue gill) feeding off of insects.
Bottom feeders (???) types were not mentioned...so assuming there is none or are they talking about catfish??? Questions here...cause the only bottomfeeding catfish is a yellow catfish also known as a mudcat or bullhead. Channels are middle feeders and are quite the predator.
And how long is this water going to remain unstocked to allow the food source to establish before the predators are introduced. For if the food source is not well established...the fish will suffer.
And finally lets talk Bucket Biologists: Homeowners...with their little fresh water aquariums. Imagine where the unwanted goldfish and other tropical fish will end up. Nuff said.
These are just a few thoughts that crossed my mind upon reading the article. Anyone have any others???
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May make it a killer fishery in years to come if they do things right.