Raising water on lake is reasonable request

(LTE to Janesville Gazette 12.16.11)

I have a site at Lakeland Camping Resort in Milton, which is on Lake Koshkonong. I have been there 17 years. I had a pontoon boat for 13 years that I rented a pier space each summer over at Charley Bluff. 

It got to be pretty bad when I had to walk the boat out in the lake for a lengthy distance before I could lower the propeller enough to get under way, not to mention all the propellers I had to change. 

It is a big, beautiful lake, and a lot of fun can be had if you do not have to worry about hitting something or the bottom with the propeller out of the water. 

The state and counties receive lots of related revenue, and local businesses around the lake and Rock River take in profits each season. 

I support The Rock-Koshkonong Lake District and believe that the lake level should be kept at the district’s proposed level. 

THOMAS H. STRAINER

 Des Plaines, Ill.

Rock River Trail Initiative: An Update for November 2011

The next meeting will be February 3, 2012, also in Beloit, WI.

In early November the common councils of Beloit, Janesville and Mayville adopted resolutions of support for the trail initiative.  With this action we now have documents of support from the five Wisconsin counties through which the Rock River flows (Fond du Lac, Dodge, Jefferson, Dane and Rock), all 13 cities and villages along the river in Wisconsin, the lake management districts for Lake Sinissippi and Lake Koshkonong and key community, conservation and tourism organizations.  We believe this is quite a significant milestone that echoes the commonality we all share with the wonderful natural resource that flows through our river communities.

In Illinois the Rockford City Council passed a resolution of support for the trail initiative on November 21^st.   Further downstream, efforts are underway for an informational meeting on the trail initiative in Sterling, IL on December 9^th with key civic and community leaders of Lee, Whiteside and Henry counties.  We see exciting areas of cooperation with Friends of the Hennepin Canal and look forward to meeting them and representatives of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources in Sterling.  And, we are working with Sally Heffernan of the City of Rock Island and the River Action folks to organize an informational meeting in Rock Island in January.  We look forward to the participation and contributions of the fine people and organizations of these beautiful Rock River communities.

The Wisconsin Department of Tourism awarded a grant to the Jefferson County Economic Development Consortium for brand identity, marketing and promotion of an enhanced tourism program.  The award cited two new initiatives for the county that are expected to play a key role in the development effort.  One of the new initiatives is the Rock River Trail Initiative. 

Two public information meetings have been held in Wisconsin to receive input on the proposed recreation water trail and scenic and historic river route.  A third public meeting will be held in Rock County probably in December.

Work continues on planning the Rock River Water Trail.  We have information from Illinois and Wisconsin Departments of Natural Resources, the National Park Service, Openlands of Northeastern Illinois and other sources to assist in developing the water trail plan and map.   We will inventory existing water trail facilities, including access points, boat launches, dams, camping sites and parks, along the entire river course.  We will also work with county, municipal and community organizations to conduct a gap analysis of the water trail, identifying possible needs for future development of trail facilities. 

Certain sections of the proposed Scenic and Historic Rock River Route are established, while designation of roads in other sections is in process.  A number of the highways selected for the river route use existing bike routes and are lovely to travel, whether in a car or on a bike!  There is a balance to achieve between a desire to showcase the scenic beauty of the river with its enticing twists and turns through pastoral farmland and natural terrain and the need to designate a road route that is relatively straightforward to sign mark and navigate and not too challenging to the weekend traveler.  We also are designing the route so far as is practicable to pass through our river communities and provide the road traveler an experience with the cultural heritage, local flavor and ambiance of each community.

Residents concerned about Turtle Lake’s future

From the Janesville Gazette

...That was until this year when Roman said the channel outside his lakefront home lost nearly a foot of water. Now, several residents are looking for answers, fearful the lake’s receding shoreline will threaten recreation and property values if nobody takes action.

Note to Board re: SNW Orders

My name is Kenneth Brey.  I am a full-time resident in Mount Prospect, IL, a suburb of Chicago.  Along with my parents and family presently own two river-front properties on the lower Rock River, one at 539 E. Applewood and one at 10427 N Ellendale Rd, Edgerton.

 

I have been a regular summer weekender of the Rock area since 2004.  I own a recreational motor-boat which is registered in Wisconsin and primarily moored and operated on the Rock.  I enjoy cruising the river and lake, waterskiing, and relaxing by the river’s shore. 

 

My family and I have made significant investments in Rock County through acquiring and maintaining property, paying property taxes, and rebuilding after the 2008 flood.  We have invested in improving the Rock River water quality through the new public sewer system along Applewood installed in 2010.

 

I am a Registered Professional Engineer in the State of Illinois.

 

Since 2004 I have been interested in the No-Wake policy along the Rock River because of its impact of my enjoyment of water-skiing.  During an imposed no-wake period it takes about 1 hour to travel upstream from Applewood to a point on Lake Koshkonong which is greater than 200 yards from any shore and where high-speed boating is permitted.  This is equal to 50% of my travel time from Chicago to Edgerton, and is not insignificant.  Also, on all but the most calm of days, the water skiing conditions are actually better on the lower Rock river than they are on Lake Koshkonong as wind gusts as low as 10 MPH can stir serious waves on the lake, whereas only the strongest of winds make significant waves on river.  I greatly appreciate the ability to ski right in front of my dock while making responsible and safe use of the state’s natural resources, and that is why I have been coming here for the last 7 years and plan to continue.

 

I recognize that this river system floods, and that the imposition of no-wake restrictions during times of extreme high water are necessary for boater safety and to prevent incremental erosion damage that would be caused.  I have read the complete hydrology reports provided by the Lake District and have done my own analysis of some of the USGS gauge height and flow data.  I consider that I have a good idea of how this drainage basin and river system works.  My opinion is that the Lake District and Brian Christianson also understand very well how it works. 

This year, on May 27^th, 2011, the Town of Fulton lifted a no-wake restriction after a typical spring flood that had reached 10.07 ft at the USGS Newville gauge.  The daily average water stage on May 27^th was 7.83 ft.  After a busy holiday weekend of boating on the river at a height of 7.8 feet, there were no reports or complaints of shore erosion caused by boating.  That is because the river was well within its banks, and there would not have been any damage had the level been as high as 8.5 feet. 

 

The ordinance before you today seeks to limit this beneficial and constitutionally guaranteed use of our fine natural resources for no justifiable reason by imposing a no-wake restriction at 7.5 ft. 

 

The Town of Fulton has controlled No-Wake imposition through dubious authority delegated by Rock County.  It has a stated policy which it has never followed consistently.  In 2010, the town clerk explained to me in writing that the policy is to remove no-wake when “levels reach around 7-7 1/2 feet”.  This policy was not followed in this case, and should never be followed. 

 

Our river does not rise and fall between binary levels.  It has the potential to stay at any level for long periods of time based on the flow rate into the lake through the upper Rock River.  A nebulous policy such as was stated by the town clerk cannot be relied upon. 

 

I applaud the movement to establish a firm rule which can be consistently enforced and which provides a safe boating environment and protects the shoreline from boat-wake erosion.  However, this rule should be based on science and engineering.  I believe the level in your proposed ordinance, 7.5 ft, is not based on sound engineering and artificially restricts boating for the benefit of people who do not like boats.  I urge you to amend and pass the proposed ordinance with a trigger at 8.5 ft, or to reject the proposed ordinance.

 

Lake has Crested

776.86 and dropping, slowly.

Anyone flooded??

Mark Your Calendars

On Thursday, Dec 15th at 6:00pm

Then Rock County Board of Supervisors will conduct a Public Hearing to consider their amended ordinance on imposing Slow NO WAKE orders on the Rock River.

The Public Hearing will allow citizens to express their support and/or concerns regarding at what level SNW is imposed.

RKLD worked collaboratively with the RC Corp. Counsel, drafting their ordinance to comply with state statutes.  However, a county committee chose to ignore RKLD's effort to establish a reasonable level for SNW.

RKLD opposes the county and Town of Fulton's level of 777.5 for SNW.

We have been, and will continue to, post data presented to the county committee here on the RKLD website that justifies a higher trigger for SNW - insuring all user groups are treated fairly and personal property is protected.

At 777.5, there is no justification for a SNW order to be in effect.

More will be posted and emailed as we approach Dec 15th, including phone numbers for you to call if you are unable to attend the public hearing.

This will be the last opportunity for property owners, business owners and other user groups of Lake Koshkonong and the Rock River to express their concerns on limiting use and enjoyment of our shoreline property.

Look at your shoreline today!

On Nov 1st - Lake level was 775.36 (approx DNR Winter Drawdown Target Level)

Today - 776.97 (approx what the RKLD summer request/litigation level should be...)

Inflow from Jefferson Dam jumped from 547 cfs to 2090 cfs - nearly 4 fold increase.

This demonstrates  2 issues; 1. Lake Koshkonong rises much faster than it drops, and 2. Today's lake level should be held at this level year-round when possible.

No one is flooded or near flooded.

No one's shoreline is in jeopardy.

And Slow No Wake orders are arbitrary and subjective.  Because no one is boating this weekend, there will be no SNW at 777.5 - BUT, if we were approaching Memorial Day weekend, 777.5 would be strictly enforced.

Why?  What is magical or measurable about SNW at 777.5?

Koshkonong's Buckhorn Supper Club on TV

Tomorrow, Friday, November 18^th, NBC15 Madison Early Morning show will be showing a short feature on the Buckhorn.  The feature airs at 5:40 and 6:40am.  We were one of 4 of the most popular Supper Clubs in the  Madison viewing area.  Charlie Shortino visited us last week, and will be showing the segment.  We hope you have a chance to see it.  It will later be available for viewing on their web site, under the Morning Show.

Chico and Dawn Pope

Safety Chain OUT

Caution at the Indianford Dam - the safety buoys are out.

Both wicket gates are now closed.

Draining Lake Koshkonong Continues

DNR Winter Target - 775.39

Lake Koshkonong today = 775.73

4.08 inches yet to drain....

Should be there by the weekend at the current drain rate.

Another example of recreational boaters, fishing and other late fall activities being artificially restricted by low water levels.

Lake Koshkonong dropping

775.39 is the DNR Winter Order Target...

Lake Koshkonong Winter Drawdown Dropping

Since both wicket gates and all 6 slide gates have benn fully open, level has dropped 1.5 inches and 1.8 inches - almost 3.5 inches.  775.99 today.

It is a shame with a nice boating weekend of weather forecast, and beautiful fall colors to be enjoyed from the water.

Well Done Kim!

Cudos to our Dam subcontractor Kim Bothom for operating the gates within DNR regulations and providing the best boating water levels possible given the artificial lake level orders set by the DNR and the arbitrary and punitive SNW orders endorsed by those who would rather see no boat traffic at all.

Draining Lake Koshkonong

All gates are 100% open to reach the DNR Winter Drawdown stage by Nov 1st.

Time to get your boats off their lifts before your are left high and dry.

DNR Winter Drawdown in Effect for Lake Koshkonong

Lake Level = 776.27

All 6 slide gates are 100% open.

Amended Rock County SNW Ordinance

The Public Safety & Justice Committee voted to amend their ordinance regulating Slow No Wake orders today, and include the 777.5 level as the trigger for ordering and removing SNW on the Rock River.

No amount of data or photos presented by RKLD to the committee was going to overcome the large turnout of Wetland club owners and a few river shoreline property owners and their desire to keep boat traffic at a minimum.

NEXT STEPS:  The committee will now forward their draft to the full board and a Public Hearing will be scheduled.  When we have the date and time, we will send an e-newsletter to our subscribers.

You may want to attend and speak at the public hearing at the county board chambers, Rock County Courthouse, Janesville.  When the hearing is scheduled, it will be our last opportunity to speak on the SNW ordinance.

So far, we have collaborated well with county staff - we are disappointed that emotions prevail over facts and figures, but we now have a bright line to where SNW is ordered.

Stay tuned.

Rock River Trail Initiative: An Update for October 2011

We appreciate everyone's enthusiasm and cooperation and are pleased to report good progress during September towards the objectives of establishing a recreation Rock River Water Trail and a scenic and historic Rock River Route.

In Wisconsin presentations of the trail initiative were made to Watertown Parks, Forestry and Recreation Committee; City Councils of Jefferson and Watertown; Village Boards of Theresa and Johnson Creek; Jefferson County Board of Health; Village of Kekoskee; and City of Janesville Leisure Services Advisory Committee.

We'd like to thank Jefferson County supervisor Augie Teitz, Jefferson city administrator Tim Freitag, alderperson Dan Olejniczak and mayor Ron Krueger of Watertown, Theresa village president George Marsh, Johnson Creek village administrator Mark Johnsrud, Jefferson County health officer Gail Scott and John McKenzie of Jefferson County board of health, Kekoskee village president Steve Dethardt and parks director Tom Presny and management assistant Rebecca Smith of Janesville for their interest and support of the trail initiative. 

We also had the pleasure of working with Ramona Flanigan, city administrator of Edgerton, and received a resolution of support from the city council.

In Illinois presentations were made to the Ogle County Board and the Oregon Park District and we want to thank Ogle County Board chair James Barnes and Oregon Park District recreation superintendent Erin Folk for their support and encouragement.   Meetings have been scheduled with civic and community development groups in Sterling/Rock Falls and Dixon.   Dave Druen of Rock Falls is leading efforts to collaborate with supporters of the Hennepin Canal State Trail to revitalize the riverfront by building on the unique cultural heritage assets of the Hennepin Feeder Canal and Rock River.   We are also working with Andrew Brachman of Henry County Soil & Water Conservation District to appoint a county representative for the trail initiative.

We look forward to the participation and contributions of the fine people and organizations of these beautiful Rock River communities.

Work continues in planning the highway system that will comprise the scenic and historic Rock River Route in Wisconsin.  Certain sections of the proposed route are well established, while designation of roads in other sections is in process.  As most of you know in many parts of Dodge, Jefferson and Rock counties, the Rock River channel meanders quite extensively over the landscape and roadways do not run parallel with the meanders.  There is a balance to achieve between a desire to showcase the scenic beauty of the river with its enticing twists and turns through pastoral farmland and natural terrain and the need to designate a road route that is relatively straightforward to sign mark and navigate and not too challenging to the weekend traveler.  A number of the highways selected for the river route use existing bike routes and are lovely to travel, whether in a car or on a bike!  As the initial selection of roads is completed, we'll distribute the preliminary plans to you for comment.

We received from Angie Tornes of National Park Service-Milwaukee several evaluation forms for water trail facilities and site inventory.  We've asked Josh Prescher of Hustisford, who has extensive experience kayaking on the Rock River and other waterways, to review the forms with county parks directors.  Once we've agreed on an evaluation form, we will ask all key county and municipal contacts to use it to inventory water trail facilities and access points along the entire river course.  We will also work with county, municipal and community organizations to conduct a gap analysis of the water trail, identifying possible needs for future development of trail facilities.  We will likely begin this effort in Dodge County, to work out the omnipresent "bugs", and develop a format that can be mapped by the Winnebago, IL GIS department and handed to each of the other counties.  These data will be compiled and integrated into the water trail plan for the Rock River.

We've asked Kurt Sampson, curator of Dodge County Historical Society Museum, to prepare a list of significant historical and cultural heritage elements within the river corridor in the county.  We expect to use Kurt's work as a template for efforts in the other ten counties to illuminate the historic relevance of the Rock River Valley to the American experience.  This information will become part of the plan for the scenic and historic Rock River Route. 

Lastly, we've also had the pleasure of talking with Jerry Apps, professor emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and author of more than 30 books on rural history and country life, about the proposed historic river route.

Our historic review has revealed two interesting items of potential interest for development of the Rock River Route.  The Yellowstone Trail (begun in 1912) was the original transcontinental road route from Boston to Seattle and the trail runs through the Village of Theresa, Dodge County.   The proposed river route will intersect with the Yellowstone Trail at the bridge in Theresa.  Also, a year later (1913) the Lincoln Highway was established from New York to San Francisco and the Rock River Route will connect with it at the City of Dixon, Lee County.   These are interesting elements of our cultural heritage that will intrigue and fascinate many travelers on the river route.

We are scheduling a series of public information meetings to solicit input on the proposed recreation water trail and scenic and historic river route.

Additional meetings are scheduled for October with the City of Mayville, Rock Koshkonong Lake District, towns association of Dodge County and communities and organizations in the lower river valley in Illinois.

County SNW Meeting at 4pm today!

Agenda for SNW Consideration

Rock River Trail Initiative: An Update for September 3, 2011

The Rock River Trail Initiative was presented to the Village Board of Hustisford in Dodge County on August 8th and we received a letter of support from Dennis Uecker, village president. Dennis indicated that the river water trail and scenic road route will benefit river communities such as Hustisford and provide recreational opportunities for local residents and tourists alike.
The next day the initiative was reviewed with representatives of the Dodge Jefferson Healthier Community Partnership in Watertown through the courtesy of Carol Quest, Jodi Langfeldt and Gail Scott, public health officials for the City of Watertown, Dodge County and Jefferson County, respectively. Gail invited us to share details of the proposed recreational water trail with the Jefferson County Board of Health in September.
On the 11th a meeting was held in Madison with Kevin Connors, director of Dane County Land & Water Resources Department, and his parks, planning and watershed management staff. The department is supportive of the trail initiative and shared information about the Yahara Waterways that will be helpful in planning for the Rock River Water Trail.
The same day we received word from Joleen Stinson of Rock County Parks that the Rock County Board of Supervisors adopted a support resolution that had been approved earlier by the county Public Works Committee and Parks Advisory Committee. Also, we heard later that day from Sheila De Forest in Beloit that the city's Parks, Recreation and Conservation Commission approved a resolution of support for the trail initiative. The resolution will move to the city Planning Commission and full city council for hoped-for adoption. August 11th was a productive day for the initiative and our thanks to Joleen, Sheila, Lori Williams, director of Rock County Parks, and Brian Ramsey, director of Beloit Parks and Leisure Services!
John Wilmet, city manager of Fort Atkinson, provided an important endorsement of our efforts by presenting information on the trail initiative to the city council and recommending adoption of a support resolution, which was enacted on August 16th. Thank you, John!
On August 29th the trail initiative was presented to mayor Jim Grigg and the City Council of Horicon. The council is supportive of the initiative and Jim indicated that a letter of support will be on the agenda of the next council meeting. The next day in Janesville a meeting was held with Tom Presny, parks director, and Rebecca Smith, management assistant, of the city. Tom and Rebecca are interested in the trial initiative and have wonderful ideas that will help planning efforts. Tom has arranged for our review of the initiative with the city's Leisure Services Advisory Committee on September 13th. Tom also shared the exciting news that Janesville was selected to host the inaugural World Show Ski Tournament September 15-16, 2012 on the Rock River at Traxler Park.
After leaving Janesville, we traveled to Beloit and met with Brian Ramsey. Brian took time to share the impressive riverfront development in the city, including the John Rose Canoe & Kayak Launch on the Rock River next to Paddle and Trail outfitters. The Beloit bike path connects at the launch site. There are wonderful recreational opportunities for hiking, biking and paddling in Beloit!
In Illinois, Joe Vanderwerff, county engineer of Winnebago County, organized a meeting of highway commissioners and planners of the six counties through which the river flows to finalize highway selection for the Rock River Scenic Route in Illinois. On May 31st the Illinois House of Representatives and Senate adopted Joint Resolution No. 27 designating the Rock River Scenic Route, as offered by state representatives Dave Winters and Patrick Verschoore. The route will take the traveler from the state line at Shirland Avenue and South Bluff Road in Winnebago County along 150 miles of the scenic and historic Rock River corridor to the Mississippi River at Rock Island where it will connect with the Great River Road National Scenic Byway.
Planners and highway engineers in each of the five Wisconsin counties have volunteered time to review maps and select a set of connecting public highways from the terminus of the Rock River Scenic Route in Illinois at the state line in Beloit to the river headwaters in Fond du Lac and Dodge counties. The recommended highways will form the basis of a proposed scenic and historic Rock River Route in Wisconsin; the proposed route will be reviewed at a series of public informational meetings this fall. We want to thank Paul Benjamin and Rich Cannon of Rock County; Bob Soltau of State Line Area Transportation Study; Bill Kern and Joe Nehmer of Jefferson County; Greg Petersen of Dane County; Josh Prescher, Joyce Fiacco, Bill Ehlenbeck, Brian Field and Pete Thompson of Dodge County; and Sam Tobias and Dick Flynn of Waupun County for their capable assistance with suggested layouts of the road route. Everyone will have an opportunity to offer constructive criticism and recommendations as the project moves forward.
Rich Bernstein of Wisconsin Historical Society offered important information for development of the scenic and historic road route along the river. The websites of the Wisconsin and Illinois historical societies have comprehensive lists of state historic markers and a database of properties listed in the National Register that can be sorted by county. A plan for the road route will have an inventory of existing historic markers and registered properties within the Rock River Valley and the society websites will be valuable resources. If someone would like to help in the historic inventory search, please let us know. We also learned that new historic markers can be obtained through an application process with the societies. Please keep this in mind as plans develop for the scenic and historic road route. There may be a number of historically-significant assets in municipalities within the river corridor that are worthy of historical recognition and signed with state markers. These efforts will enhance the interest and attractiveness of the Rock River Valley for travelers and tourists.
The trail initiative was reviewed with John Shutske, associate dean of UW-Madison College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and John Petty, division administrator of Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. Both gentlemen expressed interest to assist with the historic road route through the river corridor by developing an inventory of people, places and events in the Rock River Valley with significance to Wisconsin agriculture. We plan to approach the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the Illinois Department of Agriculture for similar assistance.
Future information meetings are scheduled in Wisconsin with the City of Watertown Parks, Recreation and Forestry Commission; City Council of Jefferson; Village Board of Theresa; Village Board of Kekoskee; Village Board of Johnson Creek; City of Janesville Leisure Services Advisory Committee; Jefferson County Board of Health; City Council of Watertown; Rock Koshkonong Lake District and City Council of Mayville, and in Illinois with the Ogle County Board and the Illinois DNR Greenways and Trails Council.
Future planning meetings need to be scheduled with the Illinois and Wisconsin Departments of Natural Resources and National Park Service-Chicago and Milwaukee offices.
We welcome your support, recommendations and assistance. If you have questions or comments, please let us know.
Thanks on behalf of the Rock River Trail Initiative Council,

DNR Winter Drawdown Begins Oct 15th

Lake Level up to 776.23

All gates are 100% open.

RKLD Board Meeting

Thursday, Oct 6th
6pm
At Tallgrass Restoration

Special guest from the Rock River Trail Initiative will update the RKLD.

Residents discuss slow/no-wake standards

JANESVILLE

A Rock County Board committee heard enough input from 40 residents to give it pause about setting a standard water level for slow/no-wake orders along the Rock River.

The board’s public safety and justice committee on Monday took up a draft ordinance that would set objective standards for water levels at which the county would set and enforce slow/no-wake orders on the river.

The committee had sought feedback from residents and user groups along the river, including the Rock-Koshkonong Lake District, which had petitioned for a countywide standard and has suggested the county use flood action stage as the standard.

But the committee tabled discussion on the ordinance as dozens of residents and some township officials argued that flood action is too high for boats to cruise on the river.

Committee Chairman Ivan Collins said the committee is reviewing comments made Monday before it makes any recommendation to the full board. The ordinance would require a public hearing and full board approval.

Most residents were concerned about property damage and shoreline erosion from boats cutting wakes in high water. Many urged the county to keep the standard at 7½ feet on the north part of the river, near Lake Koshkonong.

That’s the current slowno/wake standard set by ordinances in townships along the Rock River such as the town of Fulton. The Rock County Sheriff’s Office is in charge of enforcement.

A.W. Stockwell, who lives along the river at Rock River Drive in Edgerton, told the committee that the township’s ½-foot standard has worked for years and should remain in place.

“We can’t control Mother Nature,” he said. “If Mother Nature wants to dump water into the Rock River basin, we’re all going to have to abide by the rules, and rules are made for everyone.”

Rob Montgomery, a hydrologist for the Rock-Koshkonong Lake District, told the committee he’s reviewed water levels on the river spanning back to 2003. He said records show that during that time, about a third of each boating season has fallen under slow/no-wake orders, based on the townships’ existing standard.

Montgomery also said that if the standard had been set at flood action stage during that time, it would have cut in half the length of time spent under slow/no-wake orders.

Also speaking Monday was Dave Brown, a Fulton Township supervisor and member of the Rock-Koshkonong Lake District board. He suggested a compromise on a slow/nowake standard of a foot below flood action stage, which is 8 feet on the northern part of the river.

Brown said Fulton officials removed slow-no/wake orders along the river on Memorial Day weekend, when water levels were at 8 feet. He said boating commerce was uninterrupted, and there were no complaints about property damage.

Also speaking was Gerry Luiting, a resident along the river and member of the Rock Aqua Jays water ski club, which holds shows on the Rock River at Traxler Park in Janesville during the spring and summer.

Luiting suggested the committee add to the ordinance a caveat for special events on the river, such as Rock Aqua Jays shows.

Post your comments here on SNW order

Janesville Gazette

More Comments on SNW order - Lake Koshkonong / Rock River

The antiboaters were out in full force at the hearing last nite. Seems as though they had prior notice of the meeting that was not posted until Monday am in the gazette. Also convenient that the meeting was not called until after all the summer residents on the river from kosh to Indianford were gone for the season. This proposal had been in the works for over a year. Lot of wetlands people that do not have a dog in the fight had been recruited to attend. Very few wetlands from the lake to Newville. Hmmmm! People do not realize that at SNW (2.5mph)it takes over 1hr 15min to get to the lake from just the railroad bridge and that is each way.

Delavan Lake dredging project well under way

From the Janesville Gazette

...If the phrases “dredging project” and “sediment build-up” make you want to turn immediately to the comics page, consider this: The lake’s health is crucial to the economy’s health.

Lake Koshkonong Winter drawdown Begins Oct 15th

lake level 775.99

7 inches ABOVE the DNR winter target level

ALL gates are currently 100% CLOSED.

Support for RKLD Efforts Re: County SNW

Brian,
I seen the article in the Gazette today about the 4:00 meeting. I think I will attend.

Most people don't realize we could have a possible SNW on river all or most of the summer.

Sayre is listening to people who's real motive may be they don't like boat motor noise,and would be happy if the only boat traffic was canoes and kayaks.

They don't think they should be responsible for protecting their shoreline, are too lazy to adjust the legs on their pier, they would rather bitch about it than do anything. Should be noted at meeting our levels come off scientific data, not unprofessional opinions!


It takes us 40 minuets each way to go no wake to the lake, not acceptable , we still live on Ellendale Rd.. Should be pointed out when the river drops below the piers and sea walls, boaters ignore the no wake anyway and I bet there aren't too many No Wake tickets written because even the boat patrols know there is no problem. We own a pontoon, canoe and a kayak and believe the river is to be enjoyed by what ever type of boating the public enjoys.

Where is the meeting held in the court house?

Hope to see you there!
John

Potential Water Wheels for Hydro Power At Indianford - Lake Koshkonong

Hydrovolts

County panel considers change to slow/no wake levels on river

County panel considers change to slow/no wake levels on river

A Rock County Board committee is considering changes to slow/no-wake standards on the Rock River.

Just how big a change is unclear.

At a meeting today, the Rock County Public Safety and Justice Committee will consider an ordinance that would set objective standards for water levels that would trigger county enforcement of slow/nowake orders on the Rock River.

The ordinance would split the Rock River in Rock County into north and south halves, using the Indianford dam as the dividing line.

But a draft ordinance leaves blank exactly what water level the county would use to establish standards for either part of the river.

“We’re trying to draft one (slow/no-wake ordinance) that will work for all sides,” Ivan Collins, public safety and justice committee chairman, said in an interview over the weekend.

Collins said “all sides” include:

The Rock-Koshkonong Lake District, which has petitioned the county, asking it to set a uniform slow/no-wake standard at flood action stage along parts of the Rock River in Rock County.

Rock County residents who have property along the Rock River, some of whom have said they’d oppose boats cruising the river at flood action stage over concerns about possible property damage and shoreline erosion, officials said.

Officials from townships in the Rock River basin, which already have slow/no-wake standards set by their own ordinances.

Collins said the committee hopes to draw input today from all three groups. He said the committee could make a recommendation as early as today on suggested water levels in the slow/no-wake ordinance, but it would need final approval by the county board.

Slow/no-wake orders on the river are now based on standards set in town and municipal ordinances and are enforced by the Rock County Sheriff’s Office.

But the Rock-Koshkonong Lake District last year filed a petition with the county requesting a countywide slow/no-wake ordinance with an “objective numerical standard” for water levels.

The lake district wants the county to use flood action stage as that standard, said its chairman, Brian Christianson.

Flood action stage is a foot below true flood stage.

Christianson has said having the standard at action stage would shorten the time slow/no-wake orders stay in effect during spring and early summer, when it typically takes the river longer to recede than rise. He has said that would be a boon to recreational boaters.

Christianson also has said it would give the lake district a buffer for water levels and would allow the lake district to use the Indianford dam to raise water levels on Lake Koshkonong without affecting boat traffic on the river.

The lake district’s plan to raise water levels using the dam is tied up in a suit against the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The case is headed to the state Supreme Court.

At Lake Koshkonong, flood action stage is 9 feet. That’s 1½ feet higher than the town of Fulton’s slow/no-wake recommendation of 7½ feet.

Town of Fulton Chairman Evan Sayre said he plans to attend today’s committee meeting.

Sayre said he’s heard from a half-dozen residents who live along the river in Fulton Township who say they don’t want boats cutting wakes while the river’s at flood action stage.

“There’s no reason why you’d want to be tearing around in March and April with a $50,000 boat when people’s piers are still under water,” Sayre said. “It (slow/nowake) needs to be put on and taken off in an orderly manner.”

Sayre said the Fulton Town Board decided earlier this year it wants to keep its slow/nowake standard at 7½ feet or “some realistic, manageable number.”

Proposed parking lot on Oxbow on Lake Koshkonong

Potential new fishing access on Lake Koshkonong - Let your voice be heard

August 26, 2011
Dear Property Owner:

The Jefferson County Parks Department has received a request for use at one of our flood mitigation properties located at N327 Oxbow Bend.

The proposal asks to install a parking lot for ice/fishing access on Lake Koshkongong on this parcel.

The parking surface will be crushed limestone. Drive on access will be 75 feet from the lake to parking lot. Drive on access will be natural stone.

The Parks Committee has asked our department to research the potential project.

We would like to compile information from adjacent land owners about the project.

Please read, consider and return the enclosed survey in the postage-paid envelope.

If you have additional questions or concerns, please feel free to contact our office at 920-674-7260.

You may also send your information or comments to Kim Buchholz by
email at kimb@jeffersoncountywi.gov

Please return the information promptly.

The Parks Committee will be addressing the request at their next Parks Committee meeting on Tuesday, September 6 at 1 p.m. in Room 202 of the Jefferson County Courthouse located in Jefferson, WI.

Thank you for your input!
Sincerely,
Kim Buchholz
Program Assistant
Enclosure

A vision to walk on: Former parks director honored for work

From the Janesville Gazette

...In July, the Rock County Parks Division christened the Thomas G. Kautz Boardwalk and Nature trail at Beckman Mill Park. Kautz, who has been retired for seven years, was head of the parks division for almost three decades.

DNR: Warm water believed to be to blame for catfish kill on Rock River

From the Janesville Gazette

...DNR fisheries officials could not verify that estimate. However, DNR emails indicate that around that time fish and game wardens found 50 or 60 dead catfish on the river above the dam in Beloit, and that others were found further north near Jefferson. Most were young fish, according to the emails.

Slow No Wake Debate

The photos below are from June 7th, 2009 and capture the subjective and inconsistent process used to impose and remove SLOW NO WAKE orders on the Rock River.

When someone complains to the the Town of Fulton about waves splashing against their pier (set too low) the town demands of the Rock County Sheriff's Department to impose SNW orders.

The issue is not when SNW is imposed - water levels rise quickly and are obvious to all of us who are riparian property owners. The problem is when levels are receding, the town/county are slow to remove SNW orders - limiting and punishing the boating public and misusing the SNW order's legal intent.

The official NOAA gauge level on this day below was 777.74. Yet, without cause or justification, SNW orders were not removed until June 12, 2009, when levels were at 777.42 - a difference of 3.84 inches..

USGS Historical Datum

This also reflects how slow the levels on the lake and river recede.  During the period above, the river was dropping less than an inch per day.  And as these photos illustrate - not one shoreline was "flooded" at 777.74.

Even at 778.4 - Shorelines are safe

The second photo below is at 779.9 - 2.4 inches below NOAA FLOOD STAGE - Do you see sand bags on that shoreline?

That photo is 10.8 inches ABOVE NOAA ACTION STAGE.

Fulton says at 779.00 the sandbags are coming out. When none of the 5 town supervisors live near Newville, near the water, ON the shoreline, perhaps we should expect such uniformed opinions.

Thanks to Fulton Town Supervisor Dave Brown for collecting these photos - although he has not proven effective as their appointee to the RKLD Board, educating his Fulton colleagues on how wrong they are.

_______________________________

Comments on SNW

Chairman Sayre is absolutely correct. Christianson should realize that flooding also impacts businesses, property, farmland & people on the lake & river. He may be the face of the Lake Distict Organization, but he clearly does not represent all of the property owners that are forced by their tax bill to fund and be a part of that group. Christianson is an arrogant, power hungry, egotistical fool.
____________________

Right - power hungry for a volunteer job that demands a lot of time to overcome opinions that spread like invasive species unless countered by expensive research from experts with PhDs.

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Sounds like the lake district isn't happy about anything they don't control completely...too bad, so sad...

This appears to be another attempt to bypass the court ruling of not raising the lake levels.
The article says there is a court case against the DNR and is headed for the Supreme Court. The appeals court judge has already ruled on this and the lake district lost. So is there another case we don't know about?

________________

No, the appeals judge did not rule on "this," the SNW order.  They are completely separate issues and your posting is a result of the content of the reporter's failed reporting.

_______________
Sayre is the irresponsible one in this dispute. NOAA has the experience and knowhow when it comes to water levels throughout the state and the nation. They monitor all rivers closely. They have set the "take action" level on this waterway responsibly at 9 feet. That means slow no wake should be set in accordance with their reccomendation not some farmer's ideas that have no scientific basis.


The waterway is much higher than it used to be due to development from Watertown on down over the past 3 decades. If people have old piers and seawalls they should be replaced not protected by Sayre and his cronies. Hopefully rock County will see the light and go by engineers and professionals recomndations. Evan Sayre is the ego power monger in this dispute and should be disregarded.

________________________

Thanks Mom, for defending me :-)

_________________________

If the property owners along the river from Newville to Indianford were polled I suspect over 95% woulld be in favor of the higher level. It is only a very few that ever complain and they are always the same ones. None of the Fulton Town board live on the river and I have seen none of them use it. Leave the waterway matters to the Lake District where it belongs. We own the dam and are working hard to improve the lake and the river. It is very difficult to understand why the township is fighting us. (unless maybe Sayres is jealous)

______________________

Where does Fulton think this issue began - it started with riparian property owners emailing and calling that the town was imposing SNW orders and punishing boaters when the water levels receded by keeping SNW imposed for a week longer if not more.....

Rock-Koshkonong wants to make slow/no-wake level consistent across county

From the Janesville Gazette

...The 7 1/2-foot recommendation for Lake Koshkonong came from the town of Fulton. The township overlaps the lake district and has authority to make slow/no-wake recommendations on parts of the Rock River between the Newville Bridge and Stone Farm Road.

Christianson said the lake district believes the town's recommendation is too low, especially given studies that show the river tends to recede more slowly than it rises.
____________________

I was reluctant to even post this article due to the reporter's lack of understanding - even after attending the Annual Meeting and listening to our hydrologist explain our objective, and then listening to our legal counsel outline why the existing county ordinance is not compliant with state statutes.

RKLD has worked collaboratively with the county since last fall (October 2010) in helping them draft an enforceable ordinance.

Did you know the current county ordinance does not even identify where the SNW areas in Newville, the RR trestle, or at the dam begin and end?

Clearly, the reporter's only purpose was to find controversy - not to educate the community about the legal reasons SNW orders are imposed.

The reporter found his "hook" once the town chair in Fulton gave his quote that at 779 level, people need to begin filling sandbags.

Not only is that an incorrect statement by an elected local official who should know better, but it conjures images of 2008, when this area endured what is called the "500 year" flood -- when hundreds of homeowners were indeed rushing to find sandbags, and the rest of us were filling those sandbags on behalf of our waterfront community.

It is always hard to educate reporters to tell an accurate story when the issues are complex, the regulations are cumbersome, and their column inches are finite. And so much easier just to seek out someone's opinion, regardless of accuracy, that gives equal weight to facts and science -- not one chart was published to accompany this piece.

In this case, the facts were presented and ignored.

Linking SNW orders to DNR operating orders yet again demostrates how little time reporters and tovn governments spend understanding complex issues.

Perhaps because none of them live on our shorelines.

Lake Koshkonong Congratulates the Aqua Jays' first national title since 2005

From the Janesville Gazette

...Flooding of the Rock River during the last four years has forced the Aqua Jays to relinquish hosting nationals twice, once in 2008 and again in 2010. The floods also limited the club’s ability to practice and led to scrubbed performances.

This weekend was the first time since 2006 that the national tournament was held in Janesville.

Could Hyrdopower at Indianford Pay for Dredging?

Article from Wisconsin Rivers

..."Wisconsin has been a leader in bringing stakeholders to the table, keeping the issue out of the courts, and balancing needs – economic, ecological and recreational,” says Helen Sarakinos, dam program manager for the River Alliance of Wisconsin.

“These agreements are not as sexy as dam removals – after all, how much can you celebrate an agreement?” she asks. “But cumulatively, these operating agreements can have an enormous impact -- and their sexy moments will come.”

...Starting before statehood, wave after wave of dam building altered Wisconsin’s waters. “It transitioned from lumber to wheat to industry to electricity,” says Meg Galloway, DNR’s chief dam safety engineer.

Wisconsin’s hydro plants use different strategies to harness a river’s energy:

· Storage projects impound water behind a dam, forming a reservoir, and then release the water through turbine-generators to produce electricity.

· Run-of-river projects typically use relatively low dams where the amount of water running through the powerhouse is determined by natural river flow.

· Pumped-storage projects pump water from a lower reservoir to an upper reservoir at off-peak times when electrical costs are cheaper. During periods of high electrical demand, the water is released back to the lower reservoir to generate electricity.

...New technology may eventually allow more electricity to be generated without nearly as many environmental consequences...

Gate Ops

Lake Koshkonong Level = 776.17

4 of 6 slide gates were closed today

both wicket gates are closed.

Lake district wise to stay the course on Koshkonong

From the Janesville Gazette
Editorial
8.2.11

OUR VIEWS
Lake district wise to stay the course on Koshkonong

The Rock-Koshkonong Lake District has been in the news in recent days for issues that deserve comment.
First, district residents earn applause for approving a small dredging project at Saturday’s annual meeting. The experimental project would clear silt from a canal and improve boater access to two bays. It could be a precursor to a larger project that, if approved by residents and state and federal agencies, could dredge more shoreline areas and create islands to help control erosion and silting.

The approved project still needs an environmental review. The district would spend about $200,000 and pay in part with a $50 per-parcel fee that residents approved Saturday.

Residents also made another wise move in agreeing to use money from a maintenance fund so the Indianford Dam might again generate electricity. The district owns the dam, and if it can upgrade it without modifying stream flow, the district could use profits from electrical generation to fund lake projects.

Finally, on July 21, an appeals court ruled against the district’s demands for increasing the lake’s water level. The district wants to raise the state’s sixthlargest lake during summer and eliminate winter drawdowns to improve recreational value of properties and buoy area business.

District Chairman Brian Christianson vows to take the case to the state Supreme Court. At this point, that would be a sensible idea.

In 2006, after an administrative law judge sided with the state Department of Natural Resources and against the district’s desires, we urged both sides to put this longstanding dispute behind them, move on and work together. But in 2008, after Rock County Judge Daniel Dillon again sided with the DNR, we reversed course and urged the district to appeal.

Why?

First, at the district’s 2008 annual meeting, residents favored taking this legal battle all the way to the high court, if need be.

Second, the district has already sunk hundreds of thousands of dollars in this fight. Why abandon that investment now?

Third, Dillon’s interpretation seemed to suggest that the DNR perhaps is being unreasonable and opened a window to further appeals.

Finally, if the district doesn’t appeal, advocates of higher water will never put their frustrations to rest. They always will wonder what might have been.

This battle has raged more than two decades and pits neighbor against neighbor. Duck hunters support the DNR and fear damage to wetlands and other waterfowl habitat. The Indianford Dam creates this shallow lake by backing up the Rock River. Some residents look out at docks on dry land and wish they could use their boats. They wonder why they must pay high property taxes for waterfront land on a lake they can seldom enjoy. Businesses bemoan the loss of revenue when summer residents stay away because of low water.

We hope that when court proceedings are exhausted, the two sides haven’t become so bitter that they can’t set sail together on other projects to improve the lake.

Rock-Koshkonong Lake District holds meeting

From Jefferson Daily Union

...The Lake Improvement Fund... We started the year at $25,882... actual revenues were $136,004," said Lunder. "That was high this year due to the $100,000 grant that we received in May of 2010 and then the non-used operations budget from the year was rolled into that as well for a total of $161,886 at the end of 2010."

Lake District OKs small dredge project

From the Janesville Gazette

...The lake district, along with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, could start dredging a small swath of residential shoreline in Stinker’s Bay, on Lake Koshkonong’s north end, as early as October.

Lake Level UP

776.38

ABOVE DNR summer max order -

All 6 slide gates will be opened today.

2 wicket gates will remain closed.

Orchid Recovery Program

Orchid Recovery Program: "Orchid Recovery Program at Illinois College"

9 Days and Running....

Lake Level at 776.21

Since July 17, RKLD has successfully kept Lake Koshkonong at DNR Summer Target - despite the extraordinary dry several weeks we have experienced.

Further proof that the Dam can ONLY regulate low water, it cannot solve high water/flood water conditions.

Lake Koshkonong Gate Ops

Lake Level 776.17 - BELOW DNR Target of 776.20

Another 2 slide gates were closed today.

Currently, 4 of 6 slide gates are closed.

Both wicket gates inside the powerhouse are closed.

DNR firm in opposition to fishway at Grafton dam

From the Milw Journal Sentinel

...Earlier this month, the Grafton Village Board voted 3-2 not to approve the county's pro-fishway resolution.

Prolonged heat wave settles in

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Forecasters aren't expecting relief from the oppressive heat wave in Wisconsin any time soon.

The combination of soaring temperatures and high humidity will last throughout the week. The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning for much of the state until 9 p.m. Monday. Afternoon heat indices will likely exceed 105 degrees.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends frequent rest breaks in the shade or air conditioning for those that have to work outside.