In 2021, Long Lake experienced a very high lake water-level, the second highest level recorded in the last 50 years. The previous high was in 1996/97. Some data suggest an outflow blockage may be a contributing factor.
As of, October 24, 2022, the lake level is 9.6 inches higher than the low last year. Last year, the high lake level caused first floor flooding for some lakefront residents. If we get the same amount of rain this year as last, more flooding seems likely.
Your Steering Committee and Public Works County staff, including the County hydrologist are working on the issue and are looking for answers. Although the outflow area is generally wetland-like vegetation, a drone fly-over of the outflow earlier this year at the north end of Long Lake did not reveal evidence of an obvious flow obstruction. A physical walk/float through the outflow area is the next step in establishing if an outflow blockage is a significant factor in the record high water level.
Click here to view some of the drone footage.
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