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MOUNT VERNON — A Knox Pages reader asked: Why are water levels dropping at Ariel-Foundation Park?

The water rates fluctuate depending on a variety of factors, Ariel-Foundation Park Executive Director Mark Fritz said. 

“Our three lakes don’t have naturally occurring surface water inputs,” Fritz said. “We are fairly dependent on rainwater and snow melt to maintain the levels.”

This summer has been comparatively dry, Fritz explained, adding evaporation plays a significant role in the lake levels.

Water rates dropping is typical in the fall and winter, City Engineer Bryan Ball said. The city doesn’t measure water levels for Ariel-Foundation Park. 

“Lakes are largely connected with ground water,” Ball said, and as the ground water gets lower the lakes are lowered too.”

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