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