Nearing Removal of Slow-No Wake

Today's Lake Level is 778.83 - 6.36 inches lower than when the Slow-No Wake was first applied to the river on March 23rd.

See previous post

Not many ‘Slow, No Wake Zones' designated

From the Beloit Daily News HERE

With the recent rainfall showering the Stateline Area, the Rock County emergency management coordinator expected to measure high water levels in the Rock River Thursday, but was surprised by what she saw.

“Right now they're telling me that Afton is the only area near flood stage,” Shirley Connors said, noting she confirmed the section was below its 9-foot flood level at 4:30 that morning.

In addition to monitoring portions of the Rock River for potential flooding, other officials have designated and enforced “Slow, No Wake Zones” this spring.

The season's first No Wake Zones were implemented in late March, and the Rock County Sheriff's Department have and still are enforcing four zones throughout April. They are the Town of Rock, the City of Janesville, the Town of Janesville and the Town of Fulton. The restricted area spans from the Beloit-Rock Townline Bridge in Southern Rock County to the mouth of Lake Koshkonong near Newville to the north.

Boaters reminded of No Wake areas

From Stateline News

As a reminder to the boaters in Rock County who will be taking advantage of the current warm weather the following cities and townships have issued a Slow No Wake restriction on the Rock River.

Town of Rock
City of Janesville
Town of Janesville
Town of Fulton

The posted area is from the Beloit-Rock Townline Bridge in Southern Rock County to the mouth of Lake Koshkonong near Newville in the North.

The Rock County Water Safety Patrol recommends a review of your boating laws prior to launching your boat and be cognizant of debris still in the waters from the spring flooding.

Survey says: Protect Geneva Lake

From the Janesville Gazette

UW-Whitewater economics professors Russ Kashian, Mark Eiswerth and Mark Skidmore, who is chairman of the department, discussed the survey results at a press conference Monday at the conservancy offices in Fontana. Some results had been released in March.

About 1,600 surveys went out, and 492, about 30 percent, were returned.

That alone was surprising, Eiswerth said. The survey had about 75 questions along with maps and graphs. That so many were completed shows that residents have a tremendous interest in Geneva Lake and its future, he said.

...Among the surprises is that almost 88 percent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that communities around Geneva Lake need to cooperate to protect the lake, and about 77 percent agreed or strongly agreed that a lake management district is a good idea.

Weekend Lake Levels Drop

Today's lake level is 779.25 - a drop of 5.16 inches since Friday.

Lake Levels Dropping

Lake levels have dropped 5 1/4 inches since Monday - with a 3 inch drop during the past 48 hours.

JEFFERSON CO. COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS - 2006-2008

Buchanan (Chair), Molinaro (Vice Chair), Munyon, Rogers (Secretary), Schmeling

Get Contact Info HERE, click left on County Board.

Sup. Ron Buchanan, Finance Committee Chairman
(920) 261-8201
buchanan@execpc.com






Sup. John Molinaro, Finance Committee Vice-Chair
(608) 423-4743
JohnM@CO.Jefferson.WI.US

County eyes halting payments to lake district for Indianford Dam

From the Daily Jefferson County Union

JEFFERSON — The concept of Jefferson County halting its payments to the Rock-Koshkonong Lake District for maintenance and repair of the Indianford Dam is expected to be presented to the district’s legal counsel.

At its meeting Tuesday, the county’s Finance Committee discussed the ramifications of the lake district’s petition to have the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) change its operating orders for the Indianford Dam to eliminate the winter water-level drawdown and increase the summer maximum by approximately 7.2 inches.

Slow-No Wake Question

Brian -
Any chance the slow-no wake will be removed before Saturday for the Bounty Hunt?
Hank

Rock County posted the Slow-No Wake for the Rock River on Friday, March 23rd.

Lake Levels were at 779.36 on that date.

We need to drop another 7 inches before the county considers removing the Slow-No Wake.

Bounty Hunt is Saturday

Lake levels are slowly dropping and warming...see everyone at Norm's Hideaway at 4pm.

Frank Micale will be racing minnows, or something.

The Week Ahead (April)

Forecast HERE

Mid April Water Levels

Today's lake level dropped below flood stage - 779.92 - a drop of nearly 7 inches since last Wednesday.

Flow from Jefferson has also dropped for 7 straight days.

And yes, all gates are 100% wide open.

Could This Be Westsidebenny?

The anonymous call-in for the Janesville Gazette is 608-755-8335.

I am a big boy, so don't spend your call defending me, but please do defend our lake and river!

"Get something done to improve the lake and river, not just controversy???" Jeesh, what could more important than adjusting the water levels to improve safety, habitat, and recreation????

I don't call that controversial - I call that an investment in the environment and the future.

More Water, Better Fish Habitat??

From Sunday Janesville Gazette - not posted on their website -

"Flood conditions in the Rock River system with high flows and souring currents typically lead to excellent reproduction and recruitment in the walleye population."
Don Bush, DNR Fisheries Biologist

"This was the case back in 2004, resulting in both greater numbers and larger size in walleye fingerlings that year.
Don Bush, DNR Fisheries Biologist

High water greatly increases available habitat in the Rock River basin.
Ted Peck, Outdoors Columnist

"If high water and flow continues into early summer, there will be plenty of forage in the system to grow this year's walleye fingerlings into the fall."
Don Bush, DNR Fisheries Biologist

LETTER: Proposed Jefferson County ban on lawn fertilizers containing phosphorus

Mr. Mark Watkins, Director
Jefferson County Land & Water Conservation Department
320 S. Main Street
Jefferson, WI 53549-1799

Subject: Proposed Jefferson County ban on lawn fertilizers containing phosphorus

Dear Mr. Watkins and Land & Water Conservation Committee Members:

The Lake Ripley Management District and undersigned organizations request consideration of a county ordinance provision restricting the sale and use of phosphorus-containing lawn fertilizers (with an exemption on fertilizers used for agricultural purposes). We believe this measure would be largely supported by the public, and would serve as an effective tool for helping safeguard the health and quality of our county waterways.

As you know, many of our local lakes and rivers already suffer significantly from the effects of excessive phosphorus loadings. Others remain threatened due to a high sensitivity to additional inputs. Consequently, unsightly algae scums, murky water and weed-choked recreational areas are becoming increasingly prevalent. According to the Minnesota DNR, one pound of phosphorus in runoff can produce up to 500 pounds of aquatic plant or algae growth! These impairments add a tremendous and ongoing cost burden to our local economy, namely in the form of reduced property values, lost tourism revenues and the high expense of rehabilitation programs. Since phosphorus loading is shown to be one of the main drivers of such conditions, taking steps to curb its importation and overuse should be a priority.

Fortunately, with recently enacted bans in neighboring Dane County and the state of Minnesota, much of the foundation has been laid. Our proposal is to apply these successful models to help address similar water quality concerns faced right here in Jefferson County. It is estimated that 14,545 lake acres and 440 stream miles scattered throughout the county would stand to benefit. Furthermore, lawn soil tests have shown that our soils are predominantly phosphorus rich, suggesting lawn health would not be negatively affected. For details, including related expert testimony, visit http://www.danewaters.com/management/phosphorus.aspx,
or call us so we can forward hardcopy information.

Thank you for your consideration. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Lake Ripley Management District office at (608) 423-4537. We, along with the other signatories of this letter, would also be happy to convene a meeting at your convenience should you wish to discuss this matter further.

Sincerely,

Lake Ripley Management District Board

Westsidebenny Posting - RESPONSE IV

I read the article from Westsidebenny of 4-9-07.

My favorite part is the last paragraph; it makes no sense at all.

The only redeeming factor is that everything to do with the lake level is now the fault of the people from Illinois.

Lets have the Lake District and the Wet Land Group get together and run off anyone who was not born on the lake shore.
FIB

Westsidebenny Posting - RESPONSE III

Its too bad that westside can't argue his point without bad mouthing people from ILLINOIS.

Being one of those people from Illinois whose family has owned property on the lake for 30 + years, paid just as much real estate tax, spends money at many local businesses every weekend, and cares about the lake just as much as benny, maybe benny should quit fueling the fire.
Rick Burnidge

Westsidebenny Posting II

From Lake Links, 4-9-07

I freely admit that the nature of this lake is prone to flooding. Indian Ford dam is clearly not going to be removed. Large drainage area, including Horicon + huge shallow basin downstream, followed by a neckdown = excellent flooding potential. However, this highly ignorant man (me), fails to see how higher levels would make no difference. The way I read that is since it floods anyways why not just let er' come up a bit more.

Do a little experiment. Fill a cup with water. Try dumping it in a bowl. Next try dumping it on a plate (Kosh is the plate not the bowl). There is very little room on this plate for more water.

My family has been on this Lake since the 1930's and with the exception of a few "event's" over the years one thing is clear. It takes less water now to cause a flood. It happens faster and recedes slower. Beyond that how long do you really think the proposed 7" would keep proponents happy.

My guess would be that in a couple more years the request would be for another 7". After all there are a lot of big boats from the land of Lincoln that ding their stainless props and we can't have that!

Westsidebenny Posting - RESPONSE II

From Lake Links 4-9-07

Westside, i hope you are not talking about the lake district as the "high water boys". They are only asking for 7" of water. It would barely effect how the lake is flooding. Get a clue buddy!!

The lake will flood every year, no matter what level we are sitting at, unless they tear out the dam! I suppose that is what you are looking for!! If the lake level were raised 7 inches, it would be much more user friendly for boating, and the fishing would dramatically improve, maybe we wouldn't have a huge fish kill every year.

As a duck hunter myself, lowering the lake level would not improve the hunting all that much...That comes from migration movements, not on the water level of our lake. Sorry to the rest of you for venting, but these people that don't want any water in the lake are very ignorant!!

Lake Levels Crest

Saturday - 780.52
Sunday - 780.55
Monday - 780.54

NOAA Graphs HERE

Bounty Hunt April 21

Earlier, we indicated that the Bounty Hunt would be April 28th - the correct date is April 21.

That relives conflict with those of you who run the annual Crazy Legs in Madison on April 28th.

The Bounty Hunt is set for April 21st - the second consecutive year of open water fishing.

Westsidebenny Posting - RESPONSE

The statement below gets right to the heart of the uninformed people who have no idea what their talking about:

The dam was erected back in the mid 1800’s and the height of the dam was lowered in 1919 and is the same height today as 1919, but back then they closed the dam continuously except during high water flow periods whereas now the DNR mandates it to be open till there is hardly enough water for fish to swim.

The first thing he needs to understand is that back 100/150 years ago there was a migratory flyway in Wisconsin with breeding grounds above Wisconsin, which are now grain fields with little or no wetlands.

The US Fish & Wildlife and Ducks Unlimited efforts to develop breeding grounds west of the Mississippi River Flyway in Canada has changed the flight movement of migratory birds far to the west of the Wisconsin Migratory Fight path. Koshkonong would not revert back to what is was regarless of the water levels. The low water advocates can dream but that will not change the facts.

One only has to look over too the Mississipi River or Horican and they will see that the flyway of migratory birds is almost nill compared to before the USFW & DU created the breeding grounds westward in Canada and that the Mississippi Flyway dissapeared except in minds of the few.

Westsidebenny Posting

From LAKE LINKS

4-7-07
Regarding an earlier conversation on Taildancers, I consulted the bible and here are the good words. TD-5 6FT DEEP @ 120FT BACK TD-7 9FT DEEP @ 120FT BACK TD-9 11FT @ 120FT BACK.

Yall can extrapolate from that based on current local conditions.

By the way current local conditions kept me off the water on Friday. No report. I did make it as far as Dahlmans landing before calling it thoug. I think the next picture may explain my decision.

Might also be some good food for thought for the self rightious high water boys. Remember this lake USED to be a wide channel in a swamp. Back then it was a REAL wildlife factory. In any case check out the road to my dads.

Kinda hard to fill a dish with a gallon of water.

Can anyone identify who this "Westsidebenny" may be?? His lack of understanding of how Mother Nature operates and hostility towards recreational boaters may prove to be too obvious.

Level at Flood Stage

Today's lake level is at 780.27 - an increase of 8.88 inches since April 1st.

And yes, the gates are 100% wide open.

Flood Stage Reached April 4th

NOAA HERE

Bridge Over Koshkonong Creek

MADISON, Wis. -- Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk announced on Friday that the final link in another state bike trail is complete.

A 100-foot bicycle-pedestrian bridge over the Koshkonong Creek in Cam-Rock County Park is officially open. It is part of a $200,000 recreational improvement package.

The new bridge connects a bike-hike trail from Rockdale and Cambridge to the Glacial Drumlin Trail.

"From here you can go from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi River on a dedicated bike trail," Falk said.

The cost of the bridge was shared equally by Dane County and the Cambridge Foundation.