After years of dispute over Lake Koshkonong’s water level, state officials tell The Gazette the Department of Natural Resources could be within a few months of a decision. The Rock-Koshkonong Lake District and area businesses would like to see the water level raised in the summer for recreational boating and tourism. The DNR, wetland associations, and hunting clubs want the water level to remain, to protect the environment and wildlife. The dispute led to a 2013 Wisconsin Supreme Court decision ordering the DNR to consider economic impacts, not just environmental concerns, before deciding Lake Koshkonong’s water level. As for why a decision is taking so long, officials say the DNR wants to do things right the first time and doesn’t want to repeat years of legal battles.
