WALL LAKE RESTORATION PROJECT — PART 3
This is Part Three of a three-part historical series about the Wall Lake Restoration project, which began in 1989. The Dewey C. Gevik Outdoor Conservation Learning Area came about as a direct result of the Wall Lake Restoration Project, and is enjoyed today by wildlife enthusiasts, leisure walkers, home schools, research groups, youth groups such as the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, gardening clubs, and professional photographers.
“Another major contributor to lake pollution was wastewater seepage from septic tanks. At the time there were 68 lake residents, one commercial property, beach facilities, and the Girl Scout camp surrounding the lake. The Wall Lake Sanitary District was formed in 1992 by lake area residents who installed a central sewer system. With the sewer system installed, wastewater seepage was no longer a problem, water quality improved, and property values increased for homeowners around the lake.
Through the hard work, cooperation, and dedication of area farmers, lake residents, federal, state, and county agencies, the Wall Lake Restoration Project serves as a model for future restoration activities throughout the state.”
The following individuals, businesses, and organizations made generous contributions and donations towards the formation of the Dewey C Gevik Outdoor Conservation Learning Area:
- Sweetman Construction, Sioux Falls (concrete materials)
- City of Sioux Falls (Dave Munson, Mayor)
- Kerry Norberg, Sioux Falls (landscape concepts)
- Josten Concrete, Clarence Josten, Sioux Falls
- Sward Tree Service, Terry Sward, Dell Rapids
- Croplan Genetics, Ellis
- Pheasants Forever, Sioux Falls Chapter
- Citibank of South Dakota, Sioux Falls
- Ree Masonry, Dave Olson and Brian Ree, Sioux Falls
- Builders Supply Company, Sioux Falls
- Gage Brothers Concrete, Fred Gage, Harrisburg
- Twin City Concrete, Sioux Falls
- P & M Steel, Sioux Falls
- Brooks Construction, Ray Brooks, Sioux Falls
- WalMart Foundation, Sioux Falls
- Hjellming Construction, Scott Hjellming, Sioux Falls
- #1 Bricklayers, Apprenticeship Committee, Merle Schumacher, Sioux Falls
- Minnehaha County Highway Department, Sioux Falls
- East Dakota Water Development District
- Nolz Dragline and Crane Service, Ed Nolz, Sioux Falls
- Izaak Walton League, Sioux Falls Chapter
- Handyman Home Remodeling Centers, Swenson Family, Sioux Falls
- Ronald Johnson, Hartford
- Jeff Oyen, Crooks
- Tom Wolles, Colton
- State of South Dakota Resource, Conservation, and Forestry Division
- Pfeifer Implement, Bob and Jim Pfeifer, Sioux Falls
- US Fish and Wildlife Service Regional Office, Madison
- Landscape Garden Centers, Paul Dejong, Sioux Falls
