Water levels on Great Lakes down an average of one foot (May 2010)

We didn't get a lot of snow this winter. We haven't gotten a lot of rain this spring either. For many, it's rare, but great, weather. But as our Brian Dwyer reports, the lack of rain and melting snow means lakes and rivers are uncharacteristically low, messing with fishing, boating and shipping.

JEFFERSON COUNTY, N.Y. -- "A lot of boats I know of are in boat houses that are dry underneath now. By fall, they'll be growing tomatoes under there I guess."

Wilburt Wahl owns the French Creek Marina in Clayton. He's witnessing firsthand the effect that a lack of snow this past winter and the lack of rain we're seeing this spring is having all over the state.

As reported in this clip from Your News Now, based in New York's North Country, water levels so low in some areas that boats can't reach the height of the boat houses. Water levels are so low that some boat launches can't launch boats.

"Unless we have several weeks of heavy rain, you're going to see the water down about two or two and a half feet from where it is now," Wahl added.

A problem that's sure to hit both fishing and boating. Around Lake Ontario, water is about a foot lower than average and two feet lower than it was just last year. And while a foot doesn't sound like much...

"A lot of times, there might be a log or a rock that when there's four feet of water, you're not having a problem. But when there's only three feet of water, you might begin to run into some issues," New York Sea Grant Recreation and Tourism Expert Dave White said.

White says this is where dredging can come into play. A group called the Great Lakes Small Harbors Coalition is working with both federal and state officials to begin looking at areas that haven't been dug up in a while.

"We need to maintain these access ways for good, safe recreation and tourism, which we all know is a mainstay for our economy and our quality of life," White added.

Low water levels could also play havoc on shipping this year. If the St. Lawrence is low, ships can't carry as much cargo and less cargo equals fewer dollars.

Back in 1932, water levels were so low that a person was actually able to walk across French Creek Bay in Jefferson County. Wilburt Wahl, who owns French Creek Marina, says it likely won't get that bad this year, but we could get pretty close.