A dam dilemma

To the editor:

To dam or not to dam? That is the question. The real question should be, what’s best for Lake Lucille?

Should we preserve the natural ecosystem of the lake or continue destroying the ecosystem as the powers to be have done over the last 50 years? Before the city jumps into upgrading the dam, a study should be done to ascertain whether that is the correct course of action.

By replacing the dam, the water level is artificially raised, which increases the erosion factor on the shoreline and the island. The island is the only nesting area used by the lake’s loons. What about the cost of building and maintaining a dam? Will all the residents of Wasilla have to pay for this through the tax system? Why not just let nature handle this for free? It did before the first dam was put in and the lake was pristine.

Wetzel Betts

Wasilla