By Susan Thompson | Lake Panorama Times
John Rutledge
In this month’s Q&A, John Rutledge, LPA general manager, provides an update on Lake Panorama dredging plans over the next five years.
Q. What is the status of the new RIZ dredge and booster pump?
A. At their Jan. 6, 2025, meeting, the RIZ board of trustees awarded a contract to DSC Dredge of Reserve, Louisiana, for the construction of a new dredge and floating booster system. This purchase will replace the existing dredge and booster, which was placed into service in the spring of 2014. Total cost of the purchase is approximately $5.5 million.
Q. What will happen to the existing dredge, and why is it being replaced?
A. The existing dredge and booster has served Lake Panorama well for the last 12 years and will continue to serve through 2026, which will be its 13th season. As with all modern equipment, lifespan has become not only a question of mechanical condition, but also a question of how dated the integrated technology has become.
The dredge integrates mechanical, hydraulic and electrical systems together to ensure everything is functioning as it should. Based on our analysis, it makes the most sense to replace the dredge now rather than undertaking the substantial upgrades and overhauls that would be required to use it for another 10 or 12 years. Once the new dredge and booster are in service, the old dredge will be appraised and sold. Larger companies, with both domestic and international operations, maintain a fleet of dredges and are likely to be interested.
Q. How does the delivery of this dredge impact the 2026 dredging season?
A. RIZ expects the dredge to be delivered sometime this fall. We plan to take delivery at Boulder Beach and launch it from there. During the assembly process and training phase, we will temporarily shut down the existing dredge to ensure all our team members can participate in this critical process.
Q. What lies ahead for dredging on Panorama?
A. 2026 will follow our default strategy, which is to maximize the months during which there is no ice on the lake. The dredge will work below the debris trap before Memorial Day and after Labor Day. Then our crew will operate the dredge above the debris trap between Memorial Day and Labor Day, to minimize impact on the peak boating season. As mentioned earlier, the dredge will be shut down while our team is placing the new dredge and booster into service.
Over the course of the last year, RIZ and LPA have been developing plans to address sedimentation in several of the lake’s coves. Dredging coves is one of the more challenging things we do, as it requires members to remove their docks, lifts and boats while we work in their area.
The strategy for doing this has generally been to have members remove their lifts and docks a little earlier than normal, so LPA can begin work in the fall. LPA will then complete any remaining work the following spring, with members potentially having to re-set their docks and lifts a little later than normal.
Q. Which coves are on the list, and what is the schedule?
A. We are not planning to complete any cove work in the fall of 2026/spring of 2027 due to the fact we’re receiving a new dredge. Our first year for cove dredging will be the fall of 2027/spring of 2028.
We expect to do this for at least three fall/spring cycles to address the following coves: Horseshoe (Party) Cove, Shady Cove, Dale’s Cove, Stanley (Wilcox) Cove, Lewis Cove and Burchfield Cove, including Log Cabin Cove and the West Fork of Burchfield Cove. LPA also will work on a handful of smaller indentations and problem areas that require attention, but which are not technically a named cove.
Q. When can members expect to know more about the proposed schedule?
A. Assuming no delays with the new dredge and booster, we will begin planning for our fall 2027 cove projects in the spring of 2027. Advance notice will go out to the membership so everyone can prepare for fall removal of docks and lifts.
I think it is essential to emphasize this is an ambitious plan and may need to be adjusted as we go. But I am confident we can accomplish our goals over the next few dredging seasons.
Q. Parting thoughts?
A. We are sincerely grateful to the LPA membership for their patience on these projects, and we look forward to addressing these important areas of concern as part of our five-year plan. n