Reductions of Lake Levels
Issue: Marinas that are on lakes must face the problem of their lake levels being brought down by whoever oversees the lake such as the Corps of Engineers or state environmental agencies. The levels are dropped for a variety of reasons: dams need to be repaired, drinking water supplies need to be replenished, surrounding creeks need their levels increased to support habitat, and the list goes on. When the levels are dropped marinas have to reconfigure their docks to reach deeper water, have to temporarily shut down, or have to go out of business completely because they have no customers. This is a growing problem as more and more Corps infrastructure has been designated as failing and, under the stimulus package, more money has been released to undertake such repairs.
While marinas sign on to take such risks with their business there needs to be a better and more advanced warning system when the levels are to be dropped, there needs to be more transparent outreach from the agencies that release the waters on their time schedule and plans, and marinas should be compensated for their losses.
Action: We will support the marina groups that are working with the ACOE to determine means to expand notice times for lake level drops, enhance clarity of information that marinas are given from the ACOE on this issue, and means to compensate marinas.