(Wahpeton)– A hot, dry weekend did very little to lower levels of the Iowa Great Lakes. As a matter of fact, if anything at all they remained the same.
According to information from the U.S. Geological Survey, levels on both Big Spirit Lake and West Lake Okoboji remained steady over the weekend.
Hot, dry weather remains in the forecast until mid-week, when a chance of thunderstorms returns.
In the meantime, officials are hoping for light wind. They fear a strong wind will only worsen the problem with eroding shorelines and banks, and would wipe out docks and hoists.
Many are either raising their docks or have already done so. Others are considering taking them out altogether. The same thing goes for those with boat hoists. Many have removed their boats from hoists out of fear the wind and wave action could push them out, sending them to the opposite end of the lake.
Meanwhile, the high lake levels are once again bringing attention to the Lower Gar Outlet. The Dickinson County Board of Supervisors Tuesday (7/19) will discuss and take possible action pertaining to a variable height weir at the outlet. The supervisors are scheduled to take up that item at 10:00 a.m.
