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   For the past couple of years, we have had well below normal rainfall. The only advantage to a drought is I have been able to work on the dock in our lake. Over several weekends, I replaced the flotation barrels under the metal frame and attached steel strapping to hold them in place. I added braces to the sides with steel pipes that would slide up and down with the rising and falling water levels. This seemed like a very sturdy and foolproof system. With a screw in anchor, I chained the dock to the shore. I stood back, admiring my handiwork, thinking I had finally won the battle with the dock.

   When the lake does not fill completely for a couple of years, a person forgets how fast the water level can change. This year, we have had more normal rainfall. When we got two inches of rain last week, the ground became saturated, and the lake level rose to slightly above the normal pool stage. The dock rose as it was supposed to and remained level. I was impressed with my engineering talents.

   The next day, we got three more inches of rain. This was quite a bit more than we needed. From the porch, we watched as the lake level rose and became larger. Water was draining off more than a thousand acres, rather than soaking into the ground. By evening, the water had come up enough, I could see the dock straining on the chains that kept it attached to the shore.

   During the last outing on the lake, the jon boat had been left tied to the dock and the paddle boat had been dragged well away from the water up on the lawn.

   In the morning, as dawn broke, I went out on the porch for my usual morning coffee. The water level was well over the drain tube and water was creeping towards the emergency spillway. Off in the distance, through the dawn’s early light, I saw the paddle boat bobbing along the face of the dam. It was overcast and not daylight yet, but I could not make out the dock and the jon boat. After several minutes and another cup of coffee, it was light enough to see, the dock and the boat were not there. I got the binoculars and started to scan the shoreline. I was sure the dock had not sunk and was hoping the boat had not, but neither could be found.

   Later that morning, my wife and I went for a Ranger ride to find the wayward equipment. We finally spotted the boat, still tied to the dock, about a quarter of a mile upstream hidden in a cove. We discovered; the force of the rising water had snapped the chain attaching the dock to the beach. When the water rises 8-10 feet and surface area increases from 17 acres to close to 60, things are going to change.

   When the water level drops back to normal, we need to retrieve the paddle boat to tow the jon boat back to shore. After draining it and replacing the battery, we can use it to tow the dock back to the beach where it can be pulled to the shore with the tractor. From there, I guess we re-attach to the anchor with a heavier chain. We will then see what happens the next time the lake fills to the max.

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