The regulating of the water level at Lake of the Woods has been in dispute between the lake association and area farmers for years.
On Monday Marvin Houin, a farmer close to the lake appeared before the Marshall County Drainage Board to discuss the US Geological Survey gage.
Currently under a court order through Marshall County, the gate is to be opened when the water level reaches 803.85. The DNR has changed the procedure and now, when the water level reaches 804.35 the gate is opened until the water level reaches 803.85.
From the 1950’s through the 1990’s the Department of Natural Resources and the United States Geological Survey jointly sponsored a network of lake level gages in a 50/50 cost share. Because of increased costs, the gage at Lake of the Woods is scheduled to cease in October 1st of this year.
Larry Fisher, Marshall County Surveyor said the cost is $4,000 annually.
Houin suggested looking at an automatic gate that would control the lake level electronically and take the human element out of it. At this time two local individuals have to meet at the gate and operate their keys at the same time to lower or raise the gate.
The Marshall County Drainage Board feels the dam and gate are property of the DNR, thus they should pay for the improvements. A letter will be sent encouraging the DNR to fund an automatic gate and continues operation of the gage station.
Joe Skelton from Lake of the Woods said he believed the new officers of the Lake Association would send a letter of support of the drainage board’s recommendation.
