Have a Safe Holiday Weekend

As we kick-off the 4th of July weekend on beautiful Lake Koshkonong/Rock River - the lake level is 776.38; 1/2 inch above the summer max and just over 2 inches above the DNR summer target.

As of 7:00am, both wicket gatess and the 6 slide gates are wide open. We will closely monitor flow at the Fort gauge and water levels for potential gate manipulation during the holiday weekend.

DNR water level graph

Aquatic Invasive Species

Lakeland Times, June 30, 2006

Cliff Schmidt of Iola makes a pass by the docks near the Kennedy boat landing on East Chicago Street in Minocqua while spraying the water for aquatic invasive species that have recently bloomed near the landing. The landing’s docks were closed for a short time, but the boat landing remains open.

According to Minocqua-Kawaguesaga Lake Association President Sally Murwin, Schmidt is expected to return to the site in about two weeks to complete a post-inspection for a written report to be submitted to the Department of Natural Resources.

All area boaters are also encouraged to continue to check boats and trailers for invasives before and after their excursions on area lakes

DNR to enforce boat-cleaning law on July 4th holiday

Read the Janesville Gazette

...Wardens will check boats at landings during the Fourth of July holiday to enforce the law. They also will hand out information about aquatic invasive species and show people how to clean their boats before they launch them or as they leave the water, Stark said.

..."It doesn't mean that when these critters get into a lake it is the end of the world, but it does cause some serious recreation problems, some ecosystem consequences and frankly costs a lot of local lake associations literally hundreds of thousands of dollars a year in terms of management," Bode said.

It shouldn’t take an act of God to close a boat landing

From the Lakeland Times, Minocqua.

An interesting situation took place this past week. Sally Murwin, the Minocqua-Kawaguesaga Lakes Protection Association president, gave us a call and asked that we inspect the boat landing near the community building.

What we discovered was a bay full of Eurasian water milfoil. We began placing phone calls to our elected officials and to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to get the landing closed until the invasive species could be treated.

One would think such a closing would be a no-brainer given the current invasive threat facing our area and with the prospect of hundreds of boats using that landing between now and the Fourth of July. This past weekend alone, two fishing tournaments alone brought more than 100 boats to Lake Minocqua.

The prospect of so many boats coming and going through that landing puts our entire area at risk, if the milfoil is transported to other area lakes that are now free of it. Closing the landing would not only reduce the risk of transport but would also minimize any further spreading in Lake Minocqua.

But the DNR, settling into its usual bureaucratic instransigence, no matter what the environmental outcome, refused to let the town close the landing this past weekend.

On Friday the town did what it could do and restricted access to some of the adjacent public docks and slips until the area can be treated.

Still, it shouldn’t take an act of God to close a boat landing, especially when an environmental emergency exists. It’s just one more example of the DNR’s disconnect from the real world and one more reason to fundamentally reform and reorganize the agency.

Website Compliment

All of the information on the website is very helpful in terms of tracking the great water level debate! Am I correct that a decision is expected some time right around labor day?

Thank you, and we are now being told that a decision will be closer to October.

Centerway Screw-up

From 2001:

Read here

Nothing to do with Indianford operations.....

Public Responds to Stone Farm Road

Brian,
I remember 3 or 4 yrs. ago when NAH accidentally left the Janesville gates open during a weekend the boss was on vacation and the water went down 2 feet. In front of Gordy Millar (Stone Farm Rd.) it was dry. We did not open our gates a damn bit and the water came back overnight once Janesville closed.

The result of water level changes "can" be affected by tailwater where this party lives but only FULLY affected by Janesville.... I was also present in a meeting in Janesville with the NAH dam operator and the CEO of NAH I can't remember his name. Sue Joseff nailed them to the wall once she found out they were regularly holding the water 6" higher than the order. They treaded water long enough to get out of having to fund a USGS water level site on the river near Janesville.

They would never realize a profit if that was imposed... Some of the people are or were used to the higher water....

Monday Morning Gate Activity

Lake levels increased 1.44 inches from yesterday, due to Fort flow and precipitation. As a result, we are above the DNR summer max level and all gates are wide open.

And Another Thing....Water Level Today

Today's lake level is 76.28, or, less than an inch above DNR Summer Target Level.

Both wicket gates are fully closed, as are 2 of the 6 slide gates.

As the lake drops below 776.20 and flow from the Fort Atkinson gauge decreases, expect more slide gates to close this upcoming week.

RKLD Responds to Stone Farm Road...Again

Gerry;
There are no “major manipulations,” just DNR mandated operating orders.

If you wish to receive emails, then I invite you to sign-up on the RKLD site. But again, we do not send emails for every gate manipulation. In 3 days last week, we had 12 gate changes.

Yes, the trash rack work was well publicized, but the 2 newspapers are not going to report each gate change. Again, if you monitored the USGS site, then you can expect when gate changes will be made.

Again, all info you have been asking for is already on the site. Both the operating orders and the daily water levels are on the RKLD site. If this is of interest to the general public, then it is incumbent on individuals to monitor the sites that provide the data.

The RKLD has 4,000 parcels and nearly 10,000 people within the boundaries of the Lake District, and this is the first instance where someone has expressed concern that RKLD has provided too little information.

The RKLD Board is a fully volunteer position, so we endeavor to post all nformation on the website as a resource for both RKLD constituents and the general public to find the their own answers to their questions. Of which, your concerns re: downstream flow and water levels are indeed addressed on the Indianford Dam page, among other locations.

Brian Christianson

Even More Comments from Stone Farm

My comments are in bold...

There is no way we can inform every homeowner in advance of gate manipulations.

Actually, I didn't ask for that. I asked for the major manipulations that either temporarily flood us or strand our boats on the lifts. The primary folks affected are those from Miles road and upstream of it (which is basically Stone Farm Road folks and the group right next to the dam). It is very easy to send out an email to those homeowners that are interested (which isn't that many). It would just require a little effort to enter the addresses initially. It's my understanding that RKLD already sends out mass emails for other matters. As a resident of Fulton Township, I would expect that this would not be that difficult, especially since we have an appointed representative on the RKLD BOC and yourself.

That is why the USGS site is linked to our site. If water levels are dropping on the lake (USGS) and we are at or below our DNR target level, then you all can expect more gates will be closed, and vice-versa.

I have a number of the USGS sites bookmarked and do monitor them - usually daily.

Additionally, late last year, when work on the trash racks forced us to close the wicket gates, we posted daily updates on the blog at the RKLD website.

That was well publicized, so people were prepared. Which is exactly what I'm talking about.

Gate operations are very strictly regulated by the DNR -- it is not a mystery that the RKLD is keeping to ourselves. Flows are dictated by Mother Nature and DNR.

I think that I should have made the case that I am reasonably versed in the Rock/Koshkonong level issues. I'm glad that you understand that the RAJ doesn't control it as you had inferred originally in your blog. You also left out the dam operators, who in conjunction with nature and the DNR, do in fact control the flow and level.

More From Stone Farm Road

Brian
I do monitor the different web sites. The problem is that when things are being done such as work is being done on the dam (like last fall), when the summer target is hit, and when winter drawdown occur, etc; drastic changes occur to us that are immediately downstream. It is not always clear in advance what the dam operator is thinking or going to do. In the first couple of years that we lived out there, our boat ended up being dry docked on the lift for over a week until we could get enough help and rig up a system of using boats to move our lift with the boat on it out into deeper water. Needless to say we very rather irritated at the situation. This almost happened again this past weekend as we came home from Iowa to find the boat trapped because the river had dropped so far Friday and Saturday, but we were able to eventually get it off. This is why it would be nice to have an advance warning of action that will dramatically alter the level (I would think for both those above and immediately below).
Gerry

As far as a warning email, all I can say is monitor the RKLD links below, and the blog, and you should have a good idea of what we are faced with:

DNR Operating Orders

Seasonal Change in Orders/Graph

There is no way we can inform every homeowner in advance of gate manipulations. That is why the USGS site is linked to our site. If water levels are dropping on the lake (USGS) and we are at or below our DNR target level, then you all can expect more gates will be closed, and vice-versa. Additionally, late last year, when work on the trash racks forced us to close the wicket gates, we posted daily updates on the blog at the RKLD website.

Gate operations are very strictly regulated by the DNR - it is not a mystery that the RKLD is keeping to ourselves. Flows are dictated by Mother Nature and DNR.

Citizen Response to Stone Farm

Brian
(South of the dam)...low water levels is a combination of low flows, operating orders and NAH not reacting to changes in gate manipulations at Indianford. As you know dam owners are informed both up and down stream of any change in gate manipulations, if they don't respond accordingly it causes concerns for those affected by the dam that controls their water levels and they should be complaining to NAH about Centerway Dam operations not Indianford.

If they would look at the gate manipulations at Centerway, I would bet they would find that NAH doesn't close gates there for at least a day, maybe two after Indianford makes changes to the gates.

When talking of high water levels it is Mother Nature.
Jim

More Comments from Stone Farm Road

Brian,

Hey, I am one of Lowell’s neighbors on Stone Farm Road. Our water levels are a little more complex than what you had stated, and I wanted to provide redirection to a couple of your statements. There are a number of factors that affect the water level both on Lake Koshkonong & the Rock River, yet they are obviously interrelated. During the period that Lowell was observing several things occurred. The weather was very dry allowing for some evaporation. The main rivers feeding Lake Koshkonong reduced their respective flows and height and the Lake dropped too. Lowell is about 1.25 miles downstream from the Indianford Dam (IFD), but about .25 miles upstream from the Yahara and a long ways from Centerway Dam. A quick examination of that time period:

A look at the Lake:
Rock entering: dropped around 5”; flow meter non-functional.
Bark: dropped about 1”; flow dropped 10%.
Crawfish: dropped about 3”; flow dropped 25%.
Koshkonong: dropped about 5”.

A look at the Rock River:
Indianford: dropped about 4”; flow dropped about 25%.
Yahara: was steady for flow and height, except of course of the diurnal fluctuations.
Afton (2 dams down stream of IFD): dropped about 3”; flow dropped about 14%.

A look at the dams:
There are two upstream dams and one downstream dam that together control the water levels for Lowell. Anything that any of them do affects the water level, especially the two close proximity upstream dams. When the three dams are not communicating effectively with one another, dramatic changes can and have occurred.

From just natural occurrences, the water levels for the whole drainage area of the Rock have reduced in flow and height. The river was flooding many of its low lands (increasing the water volume exponentially), but now has receded back into its banks. Once it is back in its banks, the water levels can fall rapidly because of comparatively less volume. Many of the supporting rivers and the rock itself are near their average flow rates.

The Indianford Dam has dramatic affects on the River level at our homes because of our close proximity to it. This is true especially when the summer level of the Lake is reached and the IFD shuts its doors, and also when the winter drawdown release of water comes crashing through. The Yahara can affect it, but at a lesser extent. The Centerway Dam will have an affect, but it takes a period of time for that to occur because of the miles of distance.

Contrary to your statement, the Centerway Dam also has water level orders that it must comply with, similar in nature and frustration as the Lake. Many of the river users and North American Hydro have asked for the level to be slightly increased, but that wasn't approved. The City of Janesville does not control the level; North American Hydro does as you stated, but within the directives that have been set. Contrary to your other statement, the Rock Aqua Jays have been skiing since the beginning of May and doing shows since Memorial Day weekend, and the water level has decreased - not increased; they obviously also do not control the water levels.

Gerry

RKLD is looking into this. We are completely transparent in providing our data to anyone -- whether they are inside, or outside, the boundaries of the
RKLD.
Brian

RKLD Voter Eligibility

See related post here

RE: Eligible voters:

All district resident electors who are U.S. citizens, 18 years of age or older.
This includes resident property owners, renters, children 18 years and older whose residence is in the District, but not campers to the extent their permanent residence is not within the District. Ownership of more than one parcel does not entitle a property owner to more than one vote. One eligible voter = one vote.

Non-resident property owners
This includes a person whose name appears on the tax roll, as well as a person who owns title to property even though the person’s name doesn’t appear on the tax roll. However, it is up to the would-be voter to produce evidence to the District that they are an owner of property or designated representative of an organizational property owner (i.e. trust, foundation, corporation or other organization), such as a letter on organization letterhead that clearly authorizes that person to vote on behalf of the organization.

Summer DNR Target Level Reached

Yesterday, Thursday, water levels dropped to DNR summer max water levels (776.32).

Subsequently, gate manipulations have begun. Wicket gates were adjusted 3x yesterday. Today, water levels are at DNR summer target (776.21) with one wicket gate 100% closed and the other gate 50% closed.

Potential New Boat Launch

Hi all,

I had another meeting today with Jefferson County and the DNR. We once again discussed a new future boat landing between Fort Atkinson and Lake Koshkonong.

Jefferson County Zoning is going to start a process to make zoning changes in case this dream becomes a reality. The second thing to do is: FIND AN IDEAL LOCATION. If anyone has ideas let me know. The next step will be coming up with some money. Recently the town of Beloit received nearly $250,000 from a Wisconsin Waterways Commission grant for a new four-lane launch in Rock County.

Please share this information with the leadership in your organization. If you have questions don't hesitate to contact me. Thank you .
jim furley, phone (920) 563-7011

See earlier post here

More on the Fort Gauge

Brian,

Here's the deal. The velocity meter that was at the site was older technology and in the last few weeks it was starting to give us some erratic data. So we decided to update the velocity meter with newer and hopefully improved technology. We made that conversion on Tuesday.

During the switch over the datalogger program got messed up so the site quit recording data. This morning we were able to fix the datalogger program so the site is once again collecting data. Because of the change, the data we collect is now different than it had been so we need to reconfigure some things to get the data back on the web - it's not a huge deal but it will take a little time - I'm hoping to have the data back up by tomorrow.

The second issue with the new meter is we need to calibrate it. We have collected 2 measurements now and we will use those to make a rough calibration. We can use that rough calibration to get the discharge back on the web - again hopefully by tomorrow.

I guess what you need to be aware of is that for a while anyway we won't have a 'firm' velocity rating so the final data could look considerably different from what's on the web. The bright side of all this is that once we do have a final velocity rating we're hopeful that the data will be much better than it was in the past.

Thanks for your patience,

Rob

UPDATE 1
We just finished up with the site and the data are now on the web. I want to reiterate that at this point the velocity/discharge calibration is incomplete so I'm sure it will change some but it looks to be reasonable.
Rob

Fort Atkinson Gauge

Brian;
I noticed from your link to the USGS website last week that the gauge at the FOrt Atkinson station was reading tremendous high flows, then zero flows, then negative flows, then back to high flows. That can't be wave action, can it?
Jack

UPDATE 1
The AVM at that site went bad, parts are on order, and it is scheduled for repair the week of 6/12.

UPDATE 2
They replaced the AVM yesterday (6/12).

It has to be calibrated with a series of measurements but stage and velocity - should be working.

UPDATE 3
The installation went well. Some program and decodes need to be changed before the web page will show the correct velocity. More measurements need to be made before the discharge can calibrated.

UPDATE 4
Q. How soon before we have a functional gauge?

A. It sounds like it will be a month or so. As the flows change they will get more measurements over the range to develop a rating. They measured @ 1100 cfs yesterday.

A. Hopefully by the end of the month I'll have something temporary that should be close to the correct discharge.

The problem is that when you change one of these out, unless it is the exact same type of unit, you need to treat it like a new site. This new meter should work much better than the old one with much cleaner data. We need to collect a wide range of discharges so we can come up with an equation to apply to the velocity the new meter is giving to us.

So there really isn't a way right now to get the discharge from this site.

Rock River pulled from list of impaired waters, fish advisory changed

From the Janesville Gazette

...Testing on fish and water decides the DNR's list of impaired waters. The DNR added 45 water bodies to the list this year. The agency removed seven waterways, including that portion of the Rock River.

...Ahern believes the river's cleanliness has improved."Fifteen years ago, the river was just nasty," he said. Back in the bait shop, Henn said people think the river is unclean because it's not see-the-bottom clear.

See previous post

A Queston From Stone Farm Road

Hi Brian,
In my ongoing battle to understand river levels I have been measuring the river level at 8367 Stone Farm in the exact same spot for a period of two weeks.
I am at a loss given rainfall observations, lack of long periods of hot weather, and the dam being wide open at Indianford, as to how the river level dropped almost 8 inches in the Friday to Sunday timeframe.
It was almost to the date of the drop that began last summer.
What do you think???
Thanks in advance for responding.
Lowell Kaub

Lowell,

Since you are south of the Indianford Dam, on Stone Farm, your measurements are proof that the gate operations at Indianford is just a small part of the equation of what impacts water levels between Indianford and the Center Avenue Dam in Janesville.

Keep in mind you are fed from the Yahara River, which is dammed at Stoughton, and your levels are also dictated by gate operations in Janesville.

As a city, Janesville is not encumbered by DNR orders as we are at Indianford. So, keep an eye on the Rock Aqua Jays performance schedule. It appears water levels are increased nominally, by gate alterations at Center Avenue, when their season begins.

For more information, you may want to contact North American Hydro. I believe they have a contract to generate hydro-power at Center Avenue.

NAH WEBSITE

See previous POST

RKLD Board Elections

At the July 22nd RKLD Annual Meeting, one board seat is up for election.

Board of Commissioners

The 3-year term currently held by Brian Christianson expires, and an election will be scheduled on the agenda.

If you wish to be a candidate and have your name appear on the pre-printed ballots, please notify any board member at the link above.

We are preparing both the annual newsletter and the ballots and intend to mail the newsletter on or near the end of the month. If you wish to have your name and a bio appear as a candidate in the annual newsletter - which is mailed to 4,000 parcel owners -- please prepare and submit to any board member within the next 2 weeks or so.

As in every year past, we will also accept nominations from the floor the day of the annual meeting.

RKLD Water Level Request

Today's lake level is at 776.96.

I invite all property owners to walk your shoreline, mark you piers, boat lifts, photograph those swamp oaks and other floodplain species.

The RKLD water level request is 777.0

Today we are half an inch below our water level request.

Since we have no decision from the hearing judge yet, the water levels will continue to drop to the DNR mandated levels.

45 waterways added to impaired waters list

Janesville Gazette

...States are required to submit a list of impaired waters every two years to the federal government.

...Of the 45 waters added to the list, nearly half are beaches where increased monitoring in the past few years has turned up bacteria problems, the DNR said.