The plan is controversial. Lowering the water during the peak boating season would temporarily strand hundreds of boats at marinas and private docks. It would also make some channels and favorite fishing holes inaccessible. But many sports enthusiasts support it because it has the potential to boost fish and waterfowl populations. The draw-downs would expose parts of the river bottom to air and light which many water plants need to germinate.
Officials hope to test the draw-down idea in two years.
Despite all the efforts, biologist Calvin Fremling says the river's steady decline is inevitable. He says barge traffic is too important for local economies to consider doing away with the shipping channel. The consequence, he says, is that the river is aging unnaturally fast. It seems fatalistic, I guess. But it is.