Water level at Lake Wilson plummets due to broken valve

The water level in Lake Wilson in Wahiawa has gone down so dramatically that discarded shopping carts are visible in some areas.

The lake, designed as a reservoir and managed by Dole Foods, has experienced problems because the outlet valve is stuck in the open position and emptying water, said state conservation spokeswoman Deborah Ward.

The water is used by Dole to irrigate its fields.

Ward said the state, which operates a fishing area under an agreement with Dole, is monitoring the condition of the lake.

"We’re concerned about the health of the fish in the lake, if the water level drops much further," Ward said this afternoon.

Last July, Dole announced it was fixing three broken outlet valves to provide greater control over water levels in the reservoir and added protection against flooding.