Changing Lake Level

So, when I left for work on Monday, the dock was about thirty inches above the deck of the boat.  When I got home, it was about twenty inches above the deck and it was only a short step down onto the step.

When I first moved onto the boat, someone mentioned the changing lake level, that it was higher in the summer than in the winter, but didn't explain.  I assumed it was a natural phenomena, like rising river levels in the spring.  Silly me.  I feel like Cher explaining that she thought Mount Rushmore was a natural phenomena (yes, I heard her say it and have never forgotten).  But last year it was explained (finally) that the city corps of engineers uses the locks to bring the lake level down in the winter to protect the boats during the season of more rain and wind.  Well, that makes so much more sense.  I believe that it's raised twice, so I expect another rise, but I don't know when it will happen.  I've estimated about a two foot difference between summer and winter levels and during the summer I don't need a step to get onto the boat.  My boat sits low and I step down onto it, but some boats ride very high in the water and you have to climb up onto the boat.  That works well if there's room for a gangplank or a little staircase, but most of the time that's not realistic.  That can be a challenge.  Someday, I'll have a little added flotation so it rides a little higher, but not much.

The ducks and geese come around once in awhile and just pass by looking at the boats and when they see someone, they stop and watch.  Now, they might be looking for a handout, but they might also be visiting the "zoo" and I'm the attraction.  Looks like a little family outing to me and I'm the monkey in the cage.  If they start tossing bits of food at me, I'll feel justified.