As part of their Senior Design Capstone course, students in Civil and Environmental Engineering will provide an evaluation and design of improvements to the White Oaks Nature Conservation area. Located three miles south of Rose Hill (2647 Ventura Ave., Cedar, IA. ), the area features a 20-acre man-made lake.

The lake is currently under a water quality improvement plan directed by the Iowa DNR. Mahaska County desires a modeling of how the main lake and the satellite ponds act as a system and an estimate of the quantity of sediment that should be removed to improve the system’s function. 

Additionally, the team will design both new and improved amenities for the site, including paving of roadways and parking lots, replacement of pedestrian bridges and walkways, and additional hiking trails. They will also design a signature innovative pavilion. The team will provide phasing plans and cost estimates.