Shallow Lake Could Have Been Deadly for Boaters

For anyone who knows the Big lake in Muskego, unless it's Bass's bay, general depths are around 18 inches to 4 feet. However, as four men were dumped into the lake after their boat capsized Monday night, if there wasn't a high likelihood of drowning in the shallow water, police say the cold temps and silt bottom could have resulted in a far worse situation.

The men, all Muskego residents, told rescue officials that the tilt on their outboard was not working, and the bottom of the motor likely caught the shallow bottom or some obstacle underwater and tipped the craft over. Captain John LaTour said it was a larger sized boat with a 100-plus horsepower outboard and said boaters aren't often aware that Big Muskego is not your typical lake.

"It's an anomaly, really. There are bogs that can shift and disorient boaters, and it's not very deep in any one area on the big lake, so you really need a special shallow-water motor like a 'go-devil' to navigate it," he explained.

Former Muskego Mayor Dave DeAngelis, who could not be reached for comment, lives on the northeast side of the lake. He came upon the stranded boaters, and got them to safety on shore according to reports.

LaTour said the distance they were from shore - estimated around 500 yards - could have done the men in, as the silt bottom of the lake almost acts like quick sand.

"It was the end of April as well, and it's not been very warm, so it doesn't take much between the cold water and air temps and the effort it takes to walk to exhaust you," he explained.

One man was sent to a hospital to be treated for hypothermia, and all are expected to be okay.