Letter was wrong about lake levels
We were disappointed to read the letter to the editor in the Daily Herald on Monday about Long Lake. It is unfortunate no one contacted the LLISA board for a statement.
As the saying goes: ““If one person says it’s raining and another says it’s dry, it’s not your job to quote them both. It’s your job to look out the window and see which is true.” Sadly, that did not happen here.
The dam has not been opened since 2024. Period. The accusations Mr. Hansen has made can be easily disproven if someone were to actually go down to the dam and check. It is a public space and open to everyone.
For years, Mr. Hansen has harassed board members at our homes, workplaces, and even in front of our families. Your article only amplified this situation. A public correction or apology is warranted.
The LLISA board is an unpaid group of local residents who work hard to improve the lake — planting native vegetation, organizing cleanups, and even removing invasive carp by the ton to restore water clarity. We also host annual educational sessions at the dam with experts from the DNR, Stormwater Management, the Army Corps of Engineers, scientists, and state and local representatives. Mr. Hansen has never attended, and his lack of knowledge is evident.
Yes, 115 years of leaves, runoff and silt have raised the channel bottom. This is common across lakes. Larger systems like the Chain routinely dredge their channels for this reason. Instead, Mr. Hansen promotes raising water levels beyond the original 1910 design, risking flooding of low-lying neighbors.
Erik Herrmann
Director, LLISA Dam Maintenance
Ingleside