White Bear Lake Homeowners May Need To Curb Water Use
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A trial in Minnesota district court will test whether suburban sprawl, with its increased pumping of groundwater to quench the thirst of grass and gardens, is draining White Bear Lake, harming swimmers, boaters and others.
Minnesota officials have warned leaders of suburbs close to White Bear Lake that they might have to order homeowners to let their lawns wilt for lack of water, the Star Tribune (http://strib.mn/2eZGXSV ) reported.
"Imagine a sprinkling ban that lasts for years," said Jason Moeckel, a water manager for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
The White Bear Lake Restoration Association and the White Bear Lake Homeowners' Association levied the lawsuit against the state DNR. They point out that that even plentiful rainfall in the past couple of years hasn't brought the lake up to average levels or allowed for the reopening of a county-owned beach.
The case has prompted a wave of scientific work on what is happening underground. Researchers said Thursday that the results are beginning to come in.
One notable discovery, said Jim Stark of the U.S. Geological Survey, is that many of the lakes in the area are losing water from their lakebeds into deeper reserves.
Stark said scientists are running simulation to find out whether piping water into White Bear Lake, as activists urge, would truly help.
The case's court trial is set to begin in March.
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