Fish will be restocked after lake refills

SUMNER, IL – Repairs have been made to the spillway and spillway gate at Red Hills State Park in time for spring rains to begin refilling the lake at the Lawrence County site, Illinois Department of Natural Resources Director Marc Miller announced today. Water was drained from the lake last fall to assess damage to the spillway and allow for the repair project to proceed.

“Depending on the weather this spring, we hope the lake water level will be restored quickly at Red Hills, in time for visitors to enjoy activities on and around the lake as soon as possible,” Miller said. 

A water leak through the concrete near the spillway tower at the 40-acre lake was discovered late last summer.  Concerned that the damage that resulted in the water leak could become worse, engineers recommended that the lake be drained and repairs be made as soon as possible.

The project contractor – Kieffer Brothers Construction Company of Mt. Carmel – began work in early February.  The project involved removal and replacement of the existing spillway gate, as well as replacement of the damaged grout seal between the spillway tower and the gate.  The contractor also replaced the stem and stem guides that operate the gate – and removed and replaced the top 24 inches of the concrete tower where defective concrete was located.  A fence around the spillway tower was also replaced.

Some additional work will be required to seal some voids around the spillway outlet after the lake water refills.

The contract totaled $46,371, with IDNR park facilities maintenance and fish and wildlife funds used for the project.

As a result of the need to dewater Red Hills Lake last fall, IDNR Division of Fisheries personnel removed and relocated as many fish as possible and allowed anglers to participate in the salvage of fish from the lake last October.  Fish will be stocked in the lake once normal water levels are restored.

Red Hills State Park is located in Lawrence County on U.S. Rt. 50 midway between Lawrenceville and Olney.