At 02:29 PM 10/2/2000 -0500, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>Just why hasn't the dam been opened up? Isn't Minnehaha Creek deserving of
>it's rightful water. The dam is a man-made structure, why should Minnehaha
>Creek be allowed to dry up. This is an environmental outrage.
The Creek web site says
"The lowest heavy line across the base of the graph at elevation 928.6
represents the minimum lake level elevation at which discharge can occur.
This is similar to the effect of the previous fixed weir which had an
approximate low point elevation of 928.6."
In other words, when the lake's low, no water flows. This is a natural
enough occurrance for creekbeds, even in Minnesota. The current lake level
is at 927.64, and going down. (I assume these are feet above sea level or
something? I hate it when they don't post the units.)
The only unnatural thing about the dam is that it's used to save up water
in early spring and release it slowly over the summer. Since last winter
was so mild, this didn't happen, so this year, we're seeing a totally
*natural*, albeit dry, year.
Of course, it could be argued that our low-precipitation winters are a
side effect of global warming - but probably not conclusively.
--
Steven C. Anderson 612-722-6658 [EMAIL PROTECTED]
The Independence Party Candidate for Minnesota Senate, District 62
http://www.SteveAnderson.org/
