Vandals damage Collins Marsh dam News-Chronicle The dam at Collins Marsh in Manitowoc was opened by vandals sometime Friday evening, lowering the marsh's water level by about 2 feet. Wardens from the Department of Natural Resources said the locks were cut off both of the gates that hold the water back, and the gates were opened to their maximum flow. A caller reported on the DNR's tip hotline on Saturday that the dam was passing a large volume of water. Warden Jon Scharbarth, who took the call, investigated and found both gates were wide open. Scharbarth closed the gates at about 1:30 p.m. Saturday. He estimated the marsh's water level had dropped by about 2 feet. DNR wildlife biologist Jeff Pritzl said he spoke with duck hunters, who indicated the water level was down about 18 inches they arrived before dawn Saturday to hunt. Pritzl said he does not anticipate the lower water level will affect waterfowl behavior or use in the area, but it makes access and navigation for waterfowl hunters who use boats on the refuge's north side much more difficult. "This is very disappointing," Pritzl said in a news release. "The marsh was in prime condition to offer excellent late-season duck hunting opportunities that will no longer be available to some hunters. Unless we receive a significant amount of rainfall, I don't expect the marsh to be full again until next spring." The lower water level could negatively affect amphibians and turtles preparing to hibernate, although the recent mild weather should help them adjust to new conditions. This is the first time vandalism of this nature has occurred at Collins Marsh. Anyone with information is asked to call the DNR's Tip Hotline at 1-800-TIP-WDNR (1-800-847-9367).