As lakes dry up, concern swells

From the Milw Journal Sentinel
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...It's no secret it's been dry in Wisconsin the past two years. Aside from a stingy number of raindrops, the drought has been compounded by a mild winter that left below-normal amounts of snow to melt and replenish groundwater tables. Plus warm winters meant lakes froze over later, allowing more water to evaporate, said Richard Lathrop, a DNR research limnologist. Lathrop said he has noticed the shoreline stretching on the Vilas County lake where he has a cabin.


...Even if torrential rains hit the state in the next few weeks, it wouldn't make much difference, said Provost, because plants will suck up that moisture. Groundwater tables need precipitation in spring and late fall to recharge.