Visitors to the Lake Ahquabi State Park and Hooper Wildlife Management Area south of Indianola may notice a significant change to the area s main body of water between now and spring 2022, affecting local fishing and wildlife.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources plans to slowly drain Hooper Area Pond over the next six weeks to make repairs to the dam s drawdown structure, which helps regulate the pond s water levels. The drainage will last six weeks, starting on May 5, and last until it s refilled in 2022. Lake Ahquabi will be drained later this summer after the Fourth of July for a major overhaul to improve park roads, upgrade campgrounds, fix the lake s water outlet structure and eliminate the gizzard shad population.