SHAWANO, WI (WTAQ) – The federal government has approved a higher water level for Shawano Lake.
The water was lowered as a result of a 2015 complaint about flooding in the area.
Every year, after the water opens, federal agency FERC has to decide if they will allow the water levels to be raised to normal height.
The reason for the discussion is the concern of possible flooding if the water levels are too high, but leaving the water levels too low is also concerning. Property owners around the lake have complained about the low levels and their potential to cause property damage and lead to unsafe boating conditions.
“It does diminish the activity on the lake so it diminishes the economic activity in the region,” said State Senator Rob Cowles, a proponent for raising the levels.
He says safety being in jeopardy is bad, but low lake levels have a long-standing and harder hitting impact.
“Shawano Lake is a big deal for that part of the state. It is a huge economic driver, it brings in about $50 to $60 million dollars a year.”
The waters will be allowed to go back up to normal levels for the rest of the summer, but after the winter thaw, it will have to be brought back up at the Federal level again.
“We are happy about today, but we have to wrestle with this ongoing, but we will be working to try to come up with an acceptable long-range solution.”
In Wednesday’s decision, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission said the lake, by controlling the level at a dam, could return to previous levels at 802.9 feet — about five inches higher than what had been in place.
“The exemptee would operate at a normal elevation of 802.5 feet msl between September 26 and May 14, and at a normal elevation of 802.9 feet msl between May 25 and September 15. The exemptee would gradually raise and lower the impoundment between the two normal elevations over 10-day periods from May 15 through 24, and from September 16 through 25, respectively. Under the temporary amendment proposal, the exemptee would raise the impoundment elevation as soon as authorized by the Commission, and operate at the higher normal impoundment elevation of 802.9 feet msl until November 15, 2019.”
