In Manitowish Waters we received approximately 8 inches of rain in June, the majority of it in the latter half of the month, and it has been a real blessing. The reservoir (the Manitowish chain of lakes) does not appear to be quite full yet (as of today), but it is close to full and the channel and lake water levels are certainly sufficient for all types of recreational activity -- whatever floats your boat, so-to-speak. We actually received measurable precipitation 6 days in a row last week, which is an extreme departure from the weather pattern of the last few years. It has been observed that we have been in a drought situation for at least the last seven years -- perhaps that part of the cycle is now coming to an end? At the very least we are now in a good position to realize a great summer for our local residents and visitors.
It also has been about 7 years now since the DNR first proposed changing the Rest Lake Dam operating rules to increase the flow over the dam upwards of 1,000 gals/sec. for a five week long period in the spring in an effort to put more water in the lower river during sturgeon spawn. As you may imagine a lot of people took notice of that idea as it would take a lot longer to fill the reservoir in the spring and a dry spring would most likely make it impossible to fill. Now, 7 years later, we still do not have a resolution to the controversy. The latest word is that the DNR won't be ready to take their research findings and latest proposals to public hearings before 2011 at the earliest. And so it goes.