The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1927-07-14
SAUK LAKE LEVEL
CAUSES WORRY
Loss of at Least One Foot In
10 Days Causes Rumors
to Spread
HERALD INVESTIGATES
Light and Power Commits
sion Awake to Situation
Safeguard Public

There appears to be an in
creasing fear spreading about the
City that the level of Sank lake
will be reduced to the low stage of
where it was kept much of the
time before the city took over
the water rights and dam of the
Central MINI. Power & Milling
Co., several months ago.
The Herald editor spent con-
siderable time Wednesday in chas-
ing down alleged rumors, inter-
viewing members of the Water,
Light and Power Commission,
Supt. John McGibbon of the Pow
er Plant, w. M. Parker, manager
of the mill, a number of jewellers
residing on the lake. An inspec-
ton of the lake at the Baueren-
feind farm was also made.
Herald readers will recall that
when the Water, Light and Power
Commission were negotiating
with Mr.. Parker for the water
rights it was generally expected
that the mill would be allowed to
use the surplus water at stipu-
lated price, with the understand
ing that the level would not be
reduced below a certain level.
The high water level permitted
by the dam is II foot four inches.
This level has been maintained
much of the time this spring prior
to the first of July. Investigation
Wednesday disclosed the fact that
the level had been reduced to
slightly under IL feet.
Those familiar with the dam
and lake when the negotiations
were pending were of the opinion
that nine-foot head would be
ample and would permit a fine
shore line around much of the
lake. 1t was felt, however, that
for year or two it would prob
ably be advisable to keep the level
to IL feet in an endeavor to rid
the lake of weeds.
It seems the weeds are even
more healthful than ever this
year with the lowering of the lake
level "a foot in the past 10 days
CONSERVATION was caused.
Some time ago the Water, Light
and Power Commission authorized
HI. F. Hennemann to enter into
a contract with the Milling Com
pany to use the surplus water for
a period of about eight years, or
until the present contract with
the Northern States Power Com
pany expires. Mr.. Hennemann
stated to the Herald editor Wed
nesday that he had not signed the
contract because he wanted to as
certain what level would be re-
CURED to safeguard the. rights OF
the public.
Lake jewellers stated to the Her
aid Wednesday that in spite OF the
fact that the level had been re-
duced at least food in the past
10 days it was as high as at any
time last year when the level was
the highest maintained for many
years. Some of the farmers living
along the lake insist that the water
is too high even now. 4
After the Herald's interview with
the commissioners and Supt Nc
Gibbon we are convinced that the
best interests of the public will be
protected and that the present
level will be maintained for this
season at least.
while the dam was purchased
ostensibly for power purposes the
big idea back of the plan was to
maintain the lake level for civic
betterment.
Experience has proven that
during the months Of July, August
and September of normal years
the lake will be lowered from Ii
to 10 inches by evaporation. Yes
terday the water was practically
to the top of the dana full
head. (. ;,
In making the investigation
"Wednesday the writer's sole
thought was to secure reliable in
formation which he could pass on
to the citizens of Sank Centre.