The shallow water will still be there,'' he said. A wetlands study done for the state in 1998 concluded that the lowering would not only freeze seven acres of aquatic plants, but also expose and freeze other acreage, state officials said. The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers is conducting a study on how to deal with ice impacts. The results of that study should be considered as part of any solution, Dalmasse told the Fish and Wildlife Committee recently. The drawdown issue has divided many lake residents and users.
Some residents say ice damage is destroying the natural shoreline and their property.
Others say a drawdown would harm aquatic plants and animals, and have a negative effect on fishing. Lake resident Albert Rousse said an adjusted lake level would help control damage to his shore. But Ed Sherowski, a fisherman who also lives on the lake, said a 1-foot drawdown would prevent him from launching his boats in the spring. Lowering the already shallow water would be bad for spawning perch and bass, he said. LBA directors asked local legislators to develop the drawdown bill, Leamy said.