Rainfall and Melting Snow
Mark Twain Lake was built in the 1950s for the purpose of flood control and has had its levels dropping consistently over the last couple of decades. It is not uncommon for lakes and reservoirs to experience natural drops in levels due to large inflows of water and the effects of weather patterns. However, Mark Twain Lake has seen a huge decrease in its water levels, which has an environmental impact on the surrounding ecosystem and local communities.
The biggest cause of the lake’s falling water levels is a combination of decreased rainfall and the melting of nearby snowpacks. Rainfall levels have been declining in the region for decades, due to natural climate changes, and this has greatly reduced the amount of water that is filled into the lake. Additionally, melting nearby snowpacks mean less water is available to fill the reservoir as it is often diverted away elsewhere.
Experts have expressed worries that the lack of water entering the lake could mean drastic changes to its ecosystem and its health. Diane Dreher, an ecologist at the University of Missouri, notes that: “When there’s a drop in water levels it can lead to changes in the aquatic life, algae blooms, and can make it harder for some animals to survive.”
The natural environment isn’t the only part of the local area affected by reduced water levels in Mark Twain Lake. Many local businesses and shops that rely on lake tourism are at risk of struggling due to a lack of people visiting the lake shore. Businesses in the area are reporting a sharp decrease in the number of visitors to the lake, including campers, swimmers, and fishermen, leading to worrying economic repercussions.
Long Term Unsustainability
Not only could Mark Twain Lake’s decrease in water levels have serious economic impacts, if left untreated, they could lead to a more general unsustainability in the area. Conservation inefficiency and mismanagement can lead to pollution, erosion, and other dangerous side-effects, which may not be immediately noticed but slowly pile up to cause damage.
A lack of governmental conservation and management efforts could be to blame for the lake’s falling water levels. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is often unable to provide enough regulations and support to stem the logistic and environmental difficulties faced by the lake. This is especially worrying due to the lack of human resources available and the majority of people not visiting the lake and therefore not noticing the long-term effects that the decreasing water levels are having.
Some local conservation services, such as the Mark Twain Lake Watershed Alliance, are doing their best to mitigate the natural and human impacts that are reducing the water levels. The Alliance works to reduce flooding, as well as to improve and protect the water quality of the lake. Unfortunately, their efforts are limited due to the lack of awareness surrounding the issue and the limited resources they have.
Outreach Initiatives
Though outreach initiatives have been launched to educate the public about the lake and the population’s role in its conservancy, it is not enough. People are still unaware of the lake’s current situation and what their own actions can do to help.
With many locals not visiting the lake or participating in lake conservation resources, it is up to state and federal agencies to promote and increase the public’s knowledge and understanding of the lake’s situation. This should include more regular, public reports about the lake and its drop in water levels, as well as information on how people can help locally.
Additionally, the Mark Twain Lake Management Plan should be jointly developed with local stakeholders to ensure that the community is onboard with the changes and take responsibility for the lake’s water levels.
Possible Solutions
The first step in combating the decreasing water levels of Mark Twain Lake, is determining ways to funnel more precipitation into the lake, as well as getting people to visit more-so they can appreciate it and help in its conservation.
The installation of rain gardens to capture runoff is one possible solution. Additionally, public access points along the shoreline should also be increased. This will stimulate local businesses and attract more people to the lake. It will also contribute to the overall conservation efforts by increasing public awareness of the lake’s situation.
Mark Twain Lake needs a renaissance of sorts, with more resources allocated to both its preservation and the provision of amenities for a wider population.
Finally, local, state and federal organizations should work together to develop long-term conservation and management plans that will address the lake’s water levels and decrease the environmental impact of a falling water level.
A Variety of Actions
Local awareness initiatives, educational programs and increased public access to the lake are all important steps in solving the issue of decreasing water levels at Mark Twain Lake. Natural and human interactions have contributed to the lake’s situation and this indicates that a variety of actions are necessary to combat the problem.
On the human level, more awareness needs to be raised of the lake’s condition, as well as the importance of conservation actions on a daily basis. The public should also be informed of the impacts and dangers of falling water levels and the importance of increasing control over the process.
Government organizations should also take responsibility, setting up local schemes and programs to ensure that the lake stays healthy and sustainable. Local community members should be consulted and taken into consideration when developing plans and making decisions, as their needs should not be disregarded.
On the environmental level, more conservation measures should be taken to mitigate the potential for increased flooding and erosion, as well as to address water pollution and other human activities. Rain gardens, and other runoff-capturing systems, should be introduced to increase the amount of water that enters the lake, as well as using water efficiency measures to reduce the impact of water loss from usage.
Promoting Conservation
The long-term success of Mark Twain Lake’s health and sustainability depends on the collective efforts of local organizations, businesses, and governments. Awareness efforts and education will be necessary to inform local people of their role in the lake’s future and the actions they can take to help.
There should also be an increased number of community promotion and public access points, such as fishing piers, boating docks, and camping spots, to encourage more people to visit the lake and to motivate them to protect it.
Finally, financial support should be offered by the state and federal governments, in order to facilitate conservation initiatives and water conservation measures. This could include subsidies for conservation efforts, funding for scientific research and increased efforts for lake management.
Sustainable Solutions
Mark Twain Lake’s decreasing water levels are a great cause for concern, as they are having a serious environmental and economic impact on the people and businesses in the region. Combating this issue will require sustainable solutions that consider the needs of the people and the environment.
Rainfall should be a priority when it comes to replenishing the lake, meaning that natural and human-made sources should be utilized to divert as much water as possible into the reservoir. Additionally, more public access points should be added to encourage more people to visit and promote the importance of conservation.
Ultimately, a united effort between local communities, businesses, and governments should be facilitated. This should include more educational programs to inform people of the lake’s situation, the policies and measures already in place, and the actions they can take to lessen the environmental damage to Mark Twain Lake.
