TWO YEARS LATER

Two years ago when the lakes dropped 2’ in level unexpectedly, we filled the air ways with warnings that the lakes could easily be in store for another horrendous drought.  We pleaded with the Corps to reduce releases to the river to the amount of water coming in from rain in the two droughts of record.  We explained that this release rate had been used successfully for a period of more than 12 months in 2008-9 with no significant harm downstream.  We also explained that if we were not in a major drought the lakes would refill quickly and normal releases could be resumed.  Further we explained that if any major problems were encountered downstream releases could be increased as needed.

The Corps countered our pleas with explanations that they did not want downstream interests to suffer unnecessarily from reduced flows and they wanted to follow the current drought plan which does not react until the lakes are down 6’ to make sure we really are in a drought before reducing flows.  Additionally, although Corps documents clearly state that there is no significant environmental impact from the flows we requested, they insisted on waiting for further studies before making changes to the drought plan.  Two years later these studies are just now getting underway and results are at least another 2 years away.

The next time you hear how irrational and alarmist Save Our Lakes Now is please look at the facts.  If the Corps had listened your lakes would be 8’ or so higher than they are now.  If they had listened no harm would have been suffered downstream exactly the same way no harm is now being experienced using the very flows we requested.  And if they had listened downstream interests would face much less time at reduced flows to refill the lakes because the amount of water to refill the lakes would be much less.

Claims that the Corps knows best and we should shut up and let them do their job are misguided.  Our lakes have been destroyed repeatedly over the past decade because the Corps is using antiquated procedures and is failing to act on the basis of information we have gained from these events.  Good management involves making decisions and taking risks based on good logic, not hiding your head in the sand and refusing to change harmful practices.