Lake Bloomington
This year's drought has caused many local lakes and rivers to be lower than normal. But, the city of Bloomington is trying to take advantage of this dry spell.
The water levels at Lake Bloomington are about eight feet lower than normal.
Still, the city said it is nothing to be worried about.
Since the water has been so low, boat ramps have been repaired and the city has also built a new sea wall to protect it's water treatment plant.
Lake Bloomington provides the city with its drinking water.
That's about 13 million gallons of water being pumped out everyday.
But, the low water has made it harder and even impossible for some boaters to get out on the lake.
Fisherman Kourtney Funk said, "The ramp is only has about one or two feet of good cement underneath the water that you can get your boat in the water. Otherwise, you know you would back-up too far and lose the trailer and hopefully not your truck."
The city's water department director said in the fall the water tends to drop six to eight feet below normal.
In 1989, the lake hit one of its lowest points at 10 1/2 feet below normal.
The city has created temporary boat ramps made out of gravel while the water is so low.
September 19, 2005 7:14 AM | Category: Water