POSTED: Tuesday, August 19, 2008 -- 5:10pm

"It's a wonderful community asset and I would just hate to lose it," says Sandy Decker.

She's referring to a 40-acre site on Evansville's north side.

Land, now lined with weeds several feet tall, used to be covered by water several feet deep.

"As a child in the winter I went ice skating on the lake," says Decker.

But, signs of Lake Leota have washed away. Nearby Alan Creek still trickles by, but this once popular recreational area for swimming, boating and fishing is now history.

"It was covered in front of us here with probably 18-inches of water," says Gilbert Wiedenhoeft.

Lake Leota was intentionally emptied in 2005. The city wanted to study its base and allow built-up silt to settle.

Three years later, Wiedenhoeft is leading an effort to bring the lake back to life.

"It was a beautiful jewel in the park, as they say," adds Wiedenhoeft, chairman of the group S.O.L.E. - Save Our Lake Environment.

"If it does go to referendum, we're going to mobilize and work hard to get a positive aspect," he says.

Fixing the lake could cost up to $2.5-million. Money, Decker, the mayor of Evansville, says just isn't there.

So, the city council is looking at adding an advisory referendum to the November ballot.

Decker wants the water back, calling it a tourist attraction and quality of life issue.

"I think the way people live in their hometowns is going to change," she says.

The draw down was designed to enhance the lake. Instead, it's created what many consider an eye sore.

"There's no way you could use it for other park land or ball fields," says Janis Ringhand, who chairs the city's park and recreation board. "It just isn't feasible with the natural springs out there that will keep it wet and keep water flowing."

The park and rec board wants the council to take immediate action and forego a referendum. However, Decker says taxpayers will likely decide whether Leota, which in German means "of the people", will be filled with weeds or water.

Advisory referenda for lake improvements were overwhelmingly passed by Evansville voters twice before, in 1982 and 1990, but Decker says the city never went ahead with the projects.

We'll find out if voters will have another say after the city council's September 9th meeting.