"A Gift From Nature"
By Ed Lusch
December 2003 Guadalajara-Lakeside Volume 20, Number 4

     All of us living at Lakeside, and everyone else who comes here to enjoy the lake, received an early Christmas gift from nature when she rained upon the waters a highly productive and extended wet season.
     Lake Chapala in May of 2003 was at its lowest recorded level ever—1.5 billion cubic meters, or less than 20% of capacity. Thanks to the torrential rains, the lake level is now 3.0 to 3.3 billion cubic meters (at this writing). The wet season is predicted to continue into December. Even without additional rain or legally obligated waters from the dam on the Lerma River, the lake’s level is expected to rise to 4.0 billion cubic meters due to water seepage from the soil into the lake.
     Full pool is measured at 8.12 billion cubic meters, but these statistics are hard to relate to. The best description I have heard comes from lake activist and webmaster of Amigos del Lago, Justus Hauser: “The lake will be at full pool when you can step off the pier directly into your boat.” This is an easily understandable, smile-inducing vision.
And that hopeful vision is just the tip of the sugarplum. Along with the plentiful recreational benefits accrued via a swelling Lake Chapala, such as boating, wind surfing, fishing and swimming, will come economic benefits as well. In fact, economic pluses are already being felt due to an onslaught of visitors from Guadalajara coming to view the rising waters. The economy of Lakeside is directly tied to the health of the lake: a significant rise in her waters will produce a concurrent rise in the lake basin employment, business ventures and expansion, property values, and more.
     Only a short time ago, the lake’s shoreline was two kilometers from the Chapala pier and barely visible. In other places around the lake, the water was so distant it could not be seen at all. It is now lapping at the base of the pier and continues to creep foot by foot, day by day, upward. Granted this is surface area coverage and there is still little depth but the psychological impact of viewing the lake’s reemergence is critically important —a lake once thought to be dead, or at least dying, is perceptually coming back. And why not all the way? Hey let’s water-ski to Scorpion Island!
     This Christmas stocking from Mother Nature will be shared by wildlife as well as people. As Chapala waters continue to push upward, land which has been dry for many years, is being reclaimed by the lake. Brush grasses, trees, and other flora species which had colonized the dry lakebed and provided habitat to myriad insects—their eggs and larva, when inundated by lake waters will provide a feeding bonanza to fish, turtles, crustaceans and wading birds.
     Growth and reproduction rates of those species feasting upon this newly arrived smorgasbord of protein will soar. More and bigger fish for the fishermen, more birds for the birdwatchers, and a healthy, more robust ecosystem in general. This rapid and staggering expansion of the food base will have an enormously positive impact on the lake basin’s wildlife species, be they aquatic or terrestrial.
     This gift of water from Nature, is not eternal. We must reciprocate by vigilantly making all efforts to keep Lake Chapala rising toward full pool. To that end and just in time for Easter, the Living Lakes Organization of which Lake Chapala is now a full member, and along with Amigos del Lago, is sponsoring a symposium called “The International Congress of Lakes” to be held here at Lakeside in late March (see Amigos del Lago website for details-www .amigosdellago.org). Hundreds of lake conservationists and scientists will gather here to discuss all viable ways to lift the shroud of uncertainty clouding the future of Lake Chapala and to implement measures to ensure her resurrection. This will be the largest lake-congress ever held.
     All signs look positive for the lake: lots of rain possibly into December; the mandated release of water from overfull Lerma River damns; full membership in Living Lakes; international attention toward the plight of Lake Chapala and mounting global pressure on the powers—that—be to act effectively in the lake’s best interest.
     But even with all these positives, we Lakesiders cannot be complacent. Much work is yet to be done, particularly in the areas of pollution abatement, cleanup, and water conservation. Thankfully spearheading these efforts and shepherded by the Living Lakes is our own grassroots organization, Amigos del Lago. They need our support. Please join them or renew your membership soon as your Christmas gift to the lake. A Lake Chapala Feliz Navidad... and Hallelujah!

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