Good and bad news for lower water levels in Missouri's ponds and lakes

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Dropping water levels in Missouri ponds and lakes can mean both good and bad news.

The drought-related lower levels can be an opportunity for some to rehabilitate a pond.

"If you've had a major fish kill, it might be time to drain it, refurbish it and make it deeper so it can ride off weather like this in future years," said Bill Graham, of the Missouri Department of Conservation.

The high heat is the suspected cause of thousands of fish deaths across the area, and some ponds have gone completely dry.

The lower levels may mean better fishing opportunities in upcoming years, though.

Conservation officials report deeper ponds may see larger fish because the lower levels have forced smaller fish away from the banks.

They warn the bump in growth will only last a few years, though, and smaller fish will have to be restocked again once water levels rise.