Group wants grant for Whitewater lakes preservation

From the Janesville Gazette

Whitewater's two lakes have offered the community recreation, beauty and a sense of peace for more than a century.

Generations of families have grown up swimming, fishing and boating in Cravath and Tripp lakes that together cover 181 acres in the heart of the city.

The lakes are as much of the city's history as the brick buildings downtown and the train depot.

But a local grassroots group believes the lakes need help.

...Tom Barnes, the city's parks and recreation director, said both lakes are shallow impoundments that would become creeks if the dams are removed. Most impoundments are designed to eventually fill in, he said.

...The group is interested in forming a lake management district or association, Sable said.

Barnes said the city spends about $5,000 annually on lake management, including spraying for weeds.

But time has taken a toll on the lakes.

Years ago, when Tripp Lake was 12 to 14 feet deep, families flocked to the lake to swim and lie on the sandy beach, Barnes said. People remember jumping off the high dive and not touching bottom.

Today, Tripp Lake is 6 to 8 feet deep because of an accumulation of silt, Sable said. Cravath Lake, according to a past DNR report, may be less than 3 feet deep in many spots, Sable said.