Mill Pond sprouts new leak

SPIRIT LAKE – It’s not a crisis, but water from the approximately 45-acre Spirit Lake Mill Pond appears again to be seeping into some of the land around it.

A coalition of citizens on July 10 will walk much of the property thought to be affected. Russ Springs, president of the Spirit Lake Chamber of Commerce, is organizing the excursion.

Much of the legwork will be done by Rathdrum youngsters. They’ll be flagging soggy spots for closer inspection. The kids belong to the Spirit Lake Youth Equipped for Success or YES organization, said Shelley Tschida, a club adviser and city councilwoman.

There are several homes situated along the pond.

Four years ago, an extensive fabric liner was installed on the pond bed. “It appears to be working for the most part,” said Rod Erickson, who co-owns The Fireside Lodge and RV park some 30-feet from the pond.

“But it’s a hundred times better than it was,” Erickson said. “The bathtub leaks about halfway up.”

Erickson keeps a close watch on the pond and announces when he suspects problems. His observations are the impetus for the coming site inspection.

Erickson hopes pelletized clay will be enough to fill any leaks.

Simple repairs like that can be done without red tape, said Carl Washburn, an Idaho Department of Lands specialist.

That’s good news to Erickson. He’s already offered to pay for a few sacks of clay. “They’re about $10 a bag,” he said.