MINOCQUA - If you've noticed more shoreline around some lakes here in the Northwoods recently you're not the only one. Communities across the state are reporting low lake levels.

The Wisconsin Association of Lakes, along with several other agencies, sponsored an event called "Our Changing Lakes: Low Lake Levels in Northern Wisconsin," on Tuesday, with the goal of explaining why our lakes are changing.

The event consisted of several presentations by limnologists and other scientists, as well as panel discussions with experts on lake levels.

Just about everyone who presented said the main reason our lakes are declining is because this area of Wisconsin has been in a severe drought for several years, but the presenters were also quick to point out this is part of a natural cycle.

"Levels were low in the 30's, the 50's and 60's and then again in the late 1980's there was a 2 to 3 year period where is was really dry and hot and lake levels went down, but after all those times of low they came back up," says Tim Asplund a statewide limnologist for the Department of Natural Resources.

Asplund goes on to say researchers are hopeful the lake levels will rise again.

He says, however, because the climate is rapidly changing, it's impossible to predict just how this will play out.

Experts say there's really no way to stop the decline, but they say it's a good idea to conserve water and make sure you don't disturb any exposed shoreline.