Watertown Officials Address Lake Kampeska Weed Growth, ALPR Public Forum and Water Plant Redevelopment

Northeast Radio SD News – Watertown, SD - During Tuesday night’s City Council meeting, City Manager Alan Stager delivered a series of community updates ranging from public safety events to environmental concerns at Lake Kampeska. Councilmembers also weighed in on the growing public discussion surrounding lake weed growth and upcoming traffic impacts from a local event.

Public Forum on Automated License Plate Readers Set for Sept. 22

Stager also announced a community discussion on automated license plate readers (ALPRs) and other police technologies used in Watertown. The forum will take place:

·        September 22

·        5:30 p.m.

·        Community Room, Watertown Police Department

The session will allow residents to learn about the technology, ask questions, and hear from police officials.

Redevelopment Bids Expected for Former Lake Kampeska Water Treatment Plant

Later this week, the city expects to receive redevelopment proposals for the former water treatment plant on Lake Kampeska.

Stager said the proposals will be shared with the council and discussed during an early October work session, coinciding with budget deliberations.

“I think if you can wait that long, it’d be good to have a discussion versus a presentation on the path forward,” Stager said.

Lake Kampeska Weed Growth: City and Lake District Studying Causes

Stager addressed the recent surge in public concern over weed growth in Lake Kampeska, noting that the issue has generated “quite a bit of discussion and attention.”

He emphasized that the Lake Kampeska Water Project District is actively studying the problem and that the city will participate in those discussions.

“None of us have the immediate answer,” Stager said. “What used to be algae blooms in August have really turned into a growth of weeds in the month of August due to the clear water.”

He noted that the lake has changed in recent years, and the city is committed to understanding long‑term solutions.

Councilman Jurrens: “No one is an expert… patience is important”

Councilman Lynn Jurrens spoke at length about the public reaction to the weed issue, thanking residents for not directing personal criticism toward councilmembers.

He praised Brad Johnson for sharing factual information online to counter misinformation.

“A lot of misinformation gets shared and then all of a sudden we have a lot of experts — and there’s no one that’s an expert,” Jurrens said.

He explained that the weeds are not an invasive species, but rather native aquatic vegetation that has flourished due to clearer water and nutrient‑rich runoff.

“The weeds really like that, just like everything else does,” he said. “We’ve had a good crop the last couple years, and now people are mad that their boats get clogged up.”

Jurrens warned that thick weeds can damage boat engines and lower units, and said nature will likely play a role in balancing the lake’s ecosystem.

He urged patience as the Lake District studies the issue and cautioned that any large‑scale solution could be costly.

“I don’t look forward to spending millions of city dollars because we don’t have it,” he said. “The news is: when are we going to get to a point where we know what kind of dollar figure it would be if there is a solution?”