Ismail Ibrahim, 40, staggered as he climbed a wooden pier jutting nearly 100 meters out over Lake Limboto in Iluta village, Gorontalo regency. He had just returned from fishing at dusk and his basket of fish was not as full as usual.

His daily catch had been decreasing for almost four months because of a lengthy drought that had caused the water level of the lake to recede.

Previously, he was able to sell up to 30 kilograms of tilapia fish every day. Now he only has half that amount for sale.

Local fishermen also have to walk quite a distance to the edge of the water, as they can no longer tie their boats close to the usual lake shore.

According to Ismail, the current drought is quite severe. During the previous drought, the distance between the normal shoreline and the actual lake had been only a few meters. In several places around Lake Limboto today, fishermen have to walk even farther because of the receding edge of the water.

'€œThe water level in the middle of the lake is also low. Earlier, it could reach a depth of three meters, compared to only between one and 2.5 meters now,'€ he said.

The same situation is also taking place at the pier of the Soekarno Amphibious Aircraft Landing Museum, located in the same village. The historical attraction, which usually offers a beautiful view of Lake Limboto and is a favorite site for anglers, now looks over a giant dry field.

The first Indonesian president Sukarno was said to have visited Gorontalo for the first time via Lake Limboto by using an amphibious aircraft on Nov. 20, 1951.

'€œUsually, the place is frequented by anglers, but now only a few people come here as they are disappointed to see the condition of the lake,'€ museum guard Miman Adam told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.

In the area, a number of boats are scattered on the dry lake bottom. From a distance, a number of returning fishermen were seen walking to the old lake shore.

Museum visitor Sri Yusminah Baga, 23, expressed shock upon seeing the situation.

'€œI am surprised to see the condition of the lake, which is parched. Earlier, I thought the drought would not have had such an adverse impact,'€ she added.

Sri expressed hope the administration would immediately take strategic measures to resolve the lake'€™s issues, including the overwhelming encroachment of an invasion species of water hyacinth.

Last Saturday, Gorontalo Governor Rusli Habibie launched the construction of the Topodu floodgate located on the shore of Lake Limboto in Tabumela village, Tinelo district.

Besides managing the water volume during the drought, the floodgate would also function to prevent flooding caused when Lake Limboto bursts.

'€œLake Limboto is one of 15 lakes in Indonesia [that are] in a critical condition and it must be saved. The biggest lake in Gorontalo province should be returned to its original function, retaining water during a drought,'€ said Rusli.

Based on official data, in 1932 the lake was as much as 30 meters deep and measured 7,000 hectares in area, while between 1990 and 2008, it was only 2.5 meters deep and 3,000 hectares large.

Sulawesi River Area Center head Valiansyah said the revitalization of the lake would cost around Rp 700 billion (US$61.1 million), the fund for which would come from the Public Works Ministry. Rp 300 billion ($26.2 million) has already been spent on the project.

'€œWe will also build a two-kilometer canal to the Bulango River,'€ said Valiansyah.

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