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May 30, 2009 10:28 pm US/Central
Low Water Levels Keep Boat Repair Business Afloat
(WCCO)
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The lower water has made it much harder for boaters to see rock and sand bars, causing propeller damage.
CBS
We have seen a lot of beautiful May days this month, but the nice weather hasn't necessarily been nice to boaters. Water levels on some Minnesota lakes are way down, including White Bear Lake, which is 3 feet below average.
It has made it much harder for boaters to see rock and sand bars, causing propeller damage.
As the water level has dropped, business has gone up at White Bear Boat Works. Prop repairs are up 70 percent. Even the most experienced boaters are not immune to hidden rock bars and sand bars.
The owner of one damaged boat had been boating White Bear Lake for years.
"That gentleman lived on White Bear for close to 30 years and never knew that rock bar was there. So needless to say, he was pretty embarrassed," said Jason Brown, owner of White Bear Boat Works.
Brown said it will cost the owner nearly $5,000 to fix damage done to the boat.
Even though White Bear is now less than a foot from the lowest it's ever been, most boaters still can't resist. Yvonne Houle-Gillard said the shallow water isn't about to keep her from doing what she loves.
"We've been waiting six months to get it back in the water," said Houle-Gillard as her husband and sons looked over their sailboat.
Still, boaters are not the only ones being affected by the low water levels. Ramsey County Beach on White Bear Lake is nearly twice the size it used to be because of a receding water line.
Shallow water has created drop-offs in the lake and that means no swimming until levels are back up.
"This is what is supposed to be the beach. It is kind of disappointing, but on the other hand there is still some fun to be had," said Michelle Deweese.
White Bear Lake has been hit really hard by dry conditions because it does not have a watershed to help keep its water level up. The lake is on pace to tie its record low by mid-summer, but conservationists believe it is a couple good rainfalls away from getting back to average.
They said water levels vary from lake to lake across the state, but most are showing below average water levels.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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