The draining of Prairie Rose Lake around Harlan is set to begin this week.

Its part of a $3 million restoration project based on a 2008 lake study and recommendations from Iowa State University.

The water is expected to fall by about three feet per week until the lake is completely drained. The draining is expected to be complete by about Labor day. Boat ramps will probably not be usable after next Monday.

The lake is expected to be completely refilled by 2012, although the DNR hopes they can begin re-filling the lake by next summer.

Once the project is finished, the lake will be re-stocked with many different species of fish.

For those concerned about the campground and other facilities, the DNR says they will remain open while the lake is drained.

Audubon residents will have their chance to vote for three seats on the school board this fall, as well as whether they’d like to adopt a new Revenue Purpose Statement.

The vote on the Revenue Purpose Statement in September would allow residents to decide whether they’d like to continue the current one cent sales tax. It is currently going to expire in two years. Audubon Superintendent Brett Gibbs says that by voting on the matter now, it would save residents the cost of possibly having to hold a special election.

Thousands of cyclists made their way to Atlantic Sunday as part of the 39’th edition of RAGBRAI.

The bikers left Glenwood on their near 60-mile trek to Atlantic as they traveled 9-miles to Silver City, 19-miles to Carson, 15-miles to Griswold, 7.5-miles to Lewis and then 8 miles to Atlantic.

The weather wasn’t exactly comfortable for the riders either Sunday afternoon as temps topped out in the low 90’s with dew points hitting nearly 80. There were reports of several riders needing medical treatment due to the uncomfortable conditions.

In addition to the hot, steamy weather, the riders also battled a drastic change in elevation of 462 feet on the trail to Atlantic.

Once the bikers arrived Sunday, they were greeted by numerous volunteers at the Cass County fairgrounds supplying free water and cokes as they made their way through 10^th street to the camping areas. Numerous entertainment options were available Sunday night in downtown Atlantic including music and other food and beverage venders.

The Ragbrai riders will leave this morning as they now make their way to Carroll. If you plan on traveling at all this morning, you should avoid route 173 as that will be the trail the riders will take out of town towards Elk Horn and Kimballton.

A Red Oak man has been identified as the missing boater who was found at Viking Lake Park in Montgomery County.

He was 63-year-old John Carmichael of Red Oak.

Park visitors reported an empty fishing boat around 7:30 Saturday evening, which initiated a search for the boater.

Authorities searched nearly non-stop for the missing man Saturday night and Sunday morning, except for a three hour period when storms passed through the area. The search widened to include trails Sunday morning.

Dive teams discovered the missing man’s body in the lake near pontoon boats about 12:35 Sunday afternoon. He was later identified as Carmichael on Sunday evening after his family had been notified.

Iowa DNR conservation officers and park officers; the Midwest Regional Dive Team; the Red Oak and Stanton Fire Departments; and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s office conducted the search.