Couple watch Clear Lake take over their home
Photo
Photo
The Schranks have packed many of their photos, scrapbooks and important items into plastic containers to keep them from being damaged by moisture and mold in their Milton home on Clear Lake.
Photo
Bob and Sharon Schrank have been pumping water out of their basement for the past year. Their Milton Township home sits on Clear Lake, which has risen more than 7 1/2 feet in the last year and a half.
Photo
Mold stains the inside of an in-wall book shelf in the Schrank home on Clear Lake in Milton. They have been pumping water from their basement since last June.
MILTON TOWNSHIP — You name it, Bob and Sharon Schrank have tried it.
They've called a microbiologist, a geotechnical engineer and county, state and federal government officials in an effort to stop the water that has been flowing into their basement for the last year.
Nothing has worked.
"We can't get the water to stop," Sharon said.
Now, they're worried about losing the home on the shore of Clear Lake that has been in the family for more than 100 years.
Clear Lake in Milton Township has gone up more than 7 1/2 feet in the last year and a half, starting as 2008's record-setting snowfalls melted and continuing with the historic rainfalls of last summer.
The lake is spring-fed and has no natural outlet, so there's nowhere for the water to go unless it evaporates.
Several homes on the lake are surrounded by water, though they're all vacation residences. More than a hundred trees are now in the water and probably will die, said Jonathan Roe, president of the Clear Lake Improvement Association.
But the Schranks might be the hardest hit of all as the water, little by little, takes up their yard and home.
The home sits on a gentle incline to the lake, unlike most of the lots that have steeper inclines. The water has come onto about 50 feet of their property, covering their dock and a beach volleyball area. They routinely watch people fish in their front yard.
Water has gushed into the basement for more than a year because the water table is so high.
Libby Plumbing & Heating, Janesville, allows the family to use pumps rent-free. The pumps push out 20,000 gallons of water a day, but Sharon constantly worries a timer might be off, provoking a flood that would ruin more of their belongings.
"It's like around-the-clock, constant stress," Sharon said.
The family raised its furnace but hasn't been able to hook up the air conditioner, making the humidity in the house still worse. An expert showed Sharon how to pack up photos and memorabilia to keep them safe.
The couple have discovered mold in closets and crawl spaces. Sharon and two of their adult children have asthma, and they have to take extra medication to keep their airways clear.
Meanwhile, the lake continues to rise and the water continues to come in.
There doesn't seem to be much anyone can do about the rising level of Clear Lake, Roe said. The Clear Lake Improvement Association is waiting to hear about a grant to help pay for a computer model of the lake, but even if it gets the grant, the association would have to kick in $10,000—no small amount for a group of 20 to 25 homeowners, Roe said.
And that would only diagnose the problem, not solve it. Pumping water out of the lake would be astronomically expensive and might not fix anything, he said.
"People are hoping it's a cycle and that it will go back down," he said.
The Schranks might not be able to wait that long. It's becoming more clear every day that they might lose their house, Sharon said. They have boxes piled near the front door for the day they hope never comes.
"(The house) has been in the family for generations," Sharon said. "It's so hard to give it up."
Worse still, the couple might not get anything for the house if they have to leave. They have flood insurance, but their situation isn't considered a flood because the house isn't surrounded by water. They're hoping to receive assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, but nothing has come through yet.
"We could have a tornado come through and blow the house away, and insurance would cover everything," Bob said. "This is like a slow, lingering death, and we get nothing."
Meanwhile, they focus on what they do have: friends and family, their health and jobs they love, teaching in the Janesville School District, Sharon said.
"We try to count our blessings," she said.
Jul 17, 2009 at 3:03 p.m.
Suggest removal
smiles6- I agree. People should be more compassionate. I also would like to help if I could, but I am poor and cannot afford to donate money. Do you know if this family is in need of other types of assistance?
Mold like what these people are exposed to can have serious health affects. They should not wait for FEMA to move. The cost of the hospital bills from the mold-borne illnesses they are exposing themselves to will be an unneccessary financial burden on top of the flodding.
What can the good people of Rock County do to help these people? I am not being sarcastic here. I am very serious.
Jul 15, 2009 at 12:26 p.m.
Suggest removal
KLB40 - I am not sure who you were talking about that was making jokes about the situation but just to let you know, I DO know people that live on the lake. My boyfriend's grandparents live out there year round and two uncles both own cabins close by to the grandparents. So although people may make light of the situation, we know the seriousness of it as well. There is not much one individual can do against tons of gallons of water threatening their homes. I hope that something can be done, but who knows.
Jul 15, 2009 at 10:33 a.m.
Suggest removal
The lake is not surrounding their house yet. Their flooding is coming up thru their basement. They haven't asked the lake to be drained. They were looking for solutions to help everyone affected, however, their efforts weren't just for them. There doesn't seem to be enough money to end the flooding of the lake anyway. They can't move the house as it is too big, too old, has some mold issues now. They don't refuse to move. They are good people. They are hoping for a miracle but realize they may not get one. They are hoping for FEMA to give them a final answer or for another agency to give them a final answer so they can end this trajedy and move one. Readers should have compassion.
Jul 15, 2009 at 9:42 a.m.
Jul 15, 2009 at 8:56 a.m.
Suggest removal
Agent_of_Change: Go to the Schranks and let them know in what you have done.
It is unfortunate that the house is being threatened by floodwaters. They are not willing to accept that nature is winning here, and they refuse to budge. The lake should never be drained; the houses need to be moved.
If they continue to pump out the water, it is possible the walls of the foundation will cave in, and no patch-repair will fix this. It is sad to see this building go, and I hope the Schranks can work something out. But I have to wonder why they refuse to move uphill? I would hope there is someone,anyone out there who can help get this family to realize they have lost the battle with mother nature and they need to move forward instead of clinging hopelessly to the past.
The lake can't be drained like some would think. The Lake Association needs to hold another meeting before September to deal with this. Having examples form another lake that was drained will not help, though. Examples of people moving houses is a much less costly and more effective means of flood control on Clear Lake.
Jul 15, 2009 at 8:40 a.m.
Suggest removal
Build a dam for what? The water comes in from the aquifer beneath the lake.
Jul 14, 2009 at 11:04 p.m.
Suggest removal
why not build a dam? then they can control the level
Jul 14, 2009 at 8:59 p.m.
Suggest removal
The house is too old, too big, has mold in undetermined areas(you can't alway see mold and they can see quite a bit)...so moving it or raising it is an expensive gamble that I wouldn't make if I were them. The water table is so high there that filling in the basement part way won't work either- to stop the flooding. Sad situation.
Jul 14, 2009 at 8:49 p.m.
Suggest removal
It has happened to me!
I was flooded out June 12, 2008.
I just got back into my house after a complete rebuild and elevation!
What they need to do is develop a plan and work the plan. All I hear is about how they want to drain Clear Lake.
Good Luck.
It is not impossible to raise the house and dig a new foundation. I did it.
Get a qualified house mover and it can be completed in a few weeks.
Sooner or later the foundation will fail with all the water pushing against it and you just wasted a lot of money, time and effort.
Jul 14, 2009 at 8:02 p.m.
Suggest removal
amen to KLB40. and cardtrader, how would you feel if this happened to you? i bet youd insert your foot in your mouth. and if you wouldnt, then you apparently have alot of money. ..like enough money to donate to this familys cause.
Jul 14, 2009 at 7:20 p.m.
Suggest removal
Right on Aprilsoftball! I 100% agree with you! Some of you really need to wake up and look at the problems this family is having day in and day out, give them a little credit for what they have done so far and what they choose to deal with daily, do you really think its something they want to be dealing with, I highly doubt it. For those of you who choose to take this rather lightly and make jokes about it, put yourselves in their shoes and then speak up, until you know your facts and have actually seen everything for yourself I would think you would keep your small minded comments to yourself if you had any ounce of intelligence what so ever, but the world will always have their small minded individuals who are so high up on their thrones and wont come down because they just think they are so high and mighty to get down and give a helping hand to the families in need, so for all the intelligent people who actually feel for the family, hands down to you.. to the others who are to ridiculous to see the reality in it all, Let go of ur ego and maybe help someone in need instede of wasting ur time making jokes!
Jul 14, 2009 at 7:05 p.m.
Suggest removal
oh, and one more thing, just because his dad is the building inspector, does not mean that their house cant be condemned or at least made unliveable...
Jul 14, 2009 at 6:52 p.m.
Suggest removal
well first off if their house is over 100 years old, the foundation probably couldnt be repaired to 'floodproof standards' without making the situation even worse, especially if the water hasnt stopped at all. next.. chemical 6: you're an idiot and i hope to everything that you are kidding and/or being sarcastic with your idea. same with you, joeflint. getting out because of the mold would be a smart idea, however, maybe there is still something that can be done that is just yet to be figured out. it sounds like theyre still working on it...maybe someone that they have yet to come across, will find something to cure this all.
Jul 14, 2009 at 4:46 p.m.
Suggest removal
Give them a break~imagine how helpless they must feel!
Jul 14, 2009 at 1:52 p.m.
Suggest removal
Sounds like the foundation has been compromised.
Repair the foundation to floodproof standards or lose the house.
Oh, the house won't be condemned, his dad is the building inspector!
Jul 14, 2009 at 11:56 a.m.
Suggest removal
It is too bad for these people, there are already buildings in the water that can't be removed.
Jul 14, 2009 at 11:54 a.m.
Suggest removal
Chemical 6: I know you are joking but… That lake looks to be nearly 80 acres in size. Even if the average depth was 4ft, it would take all 65000 people between Janesville and Milton over 800 trips each with their 1 gallon jug just to lower the lake 2ft. And that is only if no other water is coming in from other sources (rain/spring water). Not to mention the 15000+ cars moving in and out of there putting four to a car.
Jul 14, 2009 at 11:48 a.m.
Suggest removal
Hi What about the folks on Grass Lake.Its really sad.R prayers r with them!!
Jul 14, 2009 at 10:16 a.m.
Suggest removal
Unfortunately this isn't the only house either. It's probably the most tragic because it's a primary residence, but there are other houses that are on the verge of being lost. It's a problem that needs a solution immediately. Somehow the level of Clear Lake needs to be artificially maintained.
Jul 14, 2009 at 9:54 a.m.
Suggest removal
what a nightmare; and what a scam by insurance companies not covering this from flood insurance. Joe Flint and chemical 6 keep your day jobs
Jul 14, 2009 at 8:30 a.m.
Suggest removal
I would think it is time to just let mother nature take her coarse, tear down the house and give the land back to nature
Jul 14, 2009 at 8:26 a.m.
Suggest removal
Everyone in Milton and Janesville should line up at clear lake with a empty water gallon, fill it up, and leave, pouring it out somewhere else, after about three days, the level should go down.... that could work right? People could provide refreshments and live music... it could be fun!!
Jul 14, 2009 at 2:28 a.m.
Suggest removal
Bottled at the source: "Clear Lake Bottled Water".
Don't pump the water out! Bottle and sell it! Problem(s) solved!
Jul 13, 2009 at 11:50 p.m.
Suggest removal
+1 on getting out of the house because of the mold.
Hannah, they probably could jack the house up, but theres no guarantee the water still wouldnt surround it. From what I read, their lot is a slight incline and the drive probably is flat all the way to the road.
Jul 13, 2009 at 5:37 p.m.
Suggest removal
how sad, some of my best memories were summers on Clear Lake, including Poplar Beach. the Schranks did a great job keeping it up and provided a great service to the community
Jul 13, 2009 at 5:32 p.m.
Suggest removal
A hydrologist from Madison told me that earthquakes in Illinois last year caused significant changes to local aquifers and that these effects would be permanent unless changed by further seismic activity. The bottom line is that changes to springs will probably last for a hundred years, so we should be prepared to live with them.
Jul 13, 2009 at 5:30 p.m.
Suggest removal
Get out with that mold..If you can see it there is way more that you cant!!
Jul 13, 2009 at 4:24 p.m.
Suggest removal
this house is a heartbeat from being condemned.
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.