Government officials gathering public input on a massive Great Lakes water levels study were told during a meeting in Michigan to tread lightly when tinkering with the lakes.

The $15 million study funded by the International Joint Commission is examining whether actions are needed to help stabilize water levels in lakes Superior, Michigan and Huron. The IJC advises the U.S. and Canadian governments on Great Lakes.

Few of the 75 people at a meeting Saturday at Grand Valley State University's Annis Water Resources Institute called for a quick fix, The Muskegon Chronicle reported.

"I've lived on Lake Michigan for a long time, and I've seen lake levels go up and go down," said Bob Wygant of North Muskegon. "If you want my advice, leave things alone and let nature take care of it."

Great Lakes water levels fluctuate slightly from year to year and more widely over roughly 30-year cycles. Over the past decade, data show water levels in lakes Michigan, Huron and Superior declined.

A team of U.S. and Canadian scientists is studying what is behind the lower lake levels.