When there is no wind, the stem of lotus stands upright, the root is at the bottom point C, the contact point with the water surface is B, and the top of lotus is A. The wind blows the stem obliquely, making ACz rotate to the CD position around point C, and point D is just above the water surface.

According to the conditions, AB= 1/2, BD=2. Let the water depth be x feet, which is obtained by Pythagorean theorem.

BC^2+BD^2=CD^2

That is x 2+2 2 = (x+1/2) 2.

4=X+ 1/4

X= 15/4

So the water depth is 3 3/4 feet.