Have YOU read Henry's Letter Yet?

I think Henry should have used Observations from a WISE Old Cop as the title to his letter.

Henry has been able to sum up everything we have been talking about for years in about three and a third pages.

Everyone should read and take his letter to heart.

The last two paragraphs clearly state why the case needs to be continued even if we have to go to the Supreme Court.

Thanks Henry.

Ned

A Must Read

Lake Levels Cresting Today

Current level = 780.45

Inflow from Jefferson Dam = 5910
Outflow at Indianford Dam = 6990

We should be back below Flood Stage by the end of next week.

Model Float Planes at Highwood Clubhouse

More Info HERE

Why is Lake Koshkonong Not Posted "No-Wake?"

A popular question -

The answer is the lake resides in 3 county jurisdictions - Dane, Rock and Jefferson.

Unlike the 4 lakes in Madison - Mendota, Mononoa, Waubesa and Kegonsa - which all fall within single jurisdiction, Koshkonong is much more expansive.

Boating Regulations HERE

Wake Restrictions;

It is unlawful to operate a motorboat within 100 feet of any dock, raft, pier, or buoyed restricted area on any lake at a speed in excess of “slow-no-wake.”

PWC are restricted to a slow-no-wake speed anytime:
✓ the PWC is within 100 feet of any other boat or PWC on any
body of water.
✓ the PWC is within 200 feet of the shoreline of any lake.

11. It is illegal to operate a PWC within 100' of the following:
✓ another boat towing a skier or person engaged in similar activity.
✓ the tow rope of another motorboat towing a skier or person
engaged in similar activity.
✓ a person involved in skiing or a similar activity.

County may be in line for flood aid

From the Watertown Daily Times

...“I've gotten reports from Lake Mills, Waterloo, Watertown, Rome, Palmyra, Fort Atkinson - so this covers also all of Jefferson County. The Crawfish and Rock Rivers, as well as Lake Koshkonong, have all been up. People are even talking about (the height of) Rock Lake and Lake Ripley, where they also have ‘slow, no wake' rules in effect.”

She added the Bark River hasn't caused as many major issues as other bodies of water in the county, but the normally calm creek has made life for its shoreline residents challenging as well recently.

“The Crawfish is causing the most problems right now, has the highest water levels and it empties into the Rock River,” she said.

Rain, Rain...GONE

Previous Post Rain Rain Go Away Part II

Rising Tides of Lake Koshkonong

Thursday, 8/30 = 1.32 inches
Wednesday, 8/29 = 1.56
Tuesday, 8/28 = 3.12
Monday, 8/27 = 3.48
Sunday, 8/26 = 5.16
Saturday, 8/25 = 5.76
____________________________________

Friday, 8/24 = 6 inches
Thursday, 8/23 = 5.52 inches
Wednesday 8/22 = 4.2 inches
Tuesday 8/21 = 3.1 inches
Monday 8/20 = 5.88 inches
Sunday 8/19 = 6.48 inches
____________________________________

12 days = 51.58 inches OR, 4.3 FEET of water

Noah's Dove Has Landed...

Saturday, 8/25;

Inflow from Jefferson = 6960
Outflow at Indianford = 5010

--- Inflow has DECREASED everyday since ---

--- Outflow has INCREASED everyday since ---

Today, Thursday, 8/30;

Inflow = 6170
Outflow = 6990

Thank you RRKA & LKRA

Capt. Henry Sautin
Rock River Safety Patrol

Henry,

The Lake Koshkonong Recreation Assn. jointly with Rock River Koshkonong Assn., Midwest Industries, Big Rivers Ltd. & Harbor Recreation Inc. have purchased, assembled and are installing the boat lift for use with the patrol boat. Additionally a repair was made to the lift operator for the new lift.

The price of this lift is a market value of more than $4,228.00. Through the generosity of the service organizations, manufacturer, distributor, dealer, the costs of and associated with this are met in total.

Working together we trust the public will be best served for safety and sensible operation of watercraft. We find the vigilant patrol and continued support by the Townships involved in the financial support for this valuable service indispensable. With the increases in activity on the water this past year we certainly hope the Townships will make every effort to enhance the patrol with additional funds to make an even larger contribution the safety on the water.

The revenue generation due to tourism, boating, fishing in our area is only possible with a reasonable and safe area within which to do so.

The creation of a formal Safety Patrol and the work of the board members over the years are much appreciated. I can also report to the Board that many people have told me “We would not be back here if there wasn’t adequate on water patrol”. Families who enjoy boating and other water activities recognize the benefit in by the presence of such a service. The “scoff laws” never cease to show up time to time and Capt. Sautin and officers who take pride in their jobs do all of us a great and valuable service.

Sincerely,

Jerry Richardson, Treas.

Lake Koshkonong Recreation Assn.
807 Harbor Rd.
Milton, WI. 53563

C.C. Frank Micale
Rock River Koshkonong Assn.

Everyone Should Read This - From Henry

A Piece of History

Posted on the Circuit Court Page.

Annual Mtg Follow-up - Phosphate Ban

From the Lakeland Times

OC board not ready for county ban on lawn fertilizer
Board reviews problems with lawn fertilizer containing phosphorus

...The Oneida County land and water conservation committee and county conservationist Nancy Hollands had pitched a resolution Tuesday to the county board supporting the implementation of a countywide ban except in certain limited conditions, as well as state legislation to ban the sale and use of fertilizers containing phosphorous

Slow/no-wake in effect for waterways across (Jefferson) county

From the DAILY JEFFERSON COUNTY UNION

...Due to possible wave damage from high water, Jefferson County Sheriff Paul Milbrath and Emergency Management director Donna Haugom have placed the county’s "slow/no wake” ordinance into effect for all rivers and streams within the county.

FROM LAST WEEK
POST

...Up river, Lake Koshkonong has not had a slow/no wake enacted, and it won't happen, Jefferson County emergency management director Donna Haugom said. The county only enforces slow/no wake zones on rivers.

But the need for the zones in Jefferson County is determined by the water level in Lake Koshkonong. This morning, it was a foot short.


WHAT TOOK JEFF CO SO LONG??
POST, and POST

Trash Racks

As you all might guess, I lot of floating junk has been cleaned off the Dam, on a daily basis.

Be sure to batten down your picnic tables, pier sections, storage boxes, and your boats!

Measuring Water Levels

Monday = 779.94
Inflow = 6820 - Outflow = 6180

(Rained)

Tuesday = 780.2
Inflow = 6580 = Outflow = 6680

Wednesday = 780.33
Inflow = 6530 - Outflow = 6730

(Rain forecasted)

From the USGS gage at Bingham Point

Total rainfall for August 2006 = 5.98 inches

Total rainfall for August 2007 = 15.64 inches

Flood Stage Reached Monday 8.27

From NOAA

11:00am - to be exact

Flood Stage Expected 8.27

As of 7pm Sunday night, the NOAA lowered their predicting flood stage at Newville.

And we are not officially a flood - at least not until Monday morning.

Contricting Flow near Newville

Brian -
You have mentioned several times how the river constricts the flow from the lake and upstream. Can you explain that?
Joe
____________________________

Here's what the flow looked like on August 1st;

Lake level = 776.12
Indianford level = 775.79
3.96 inches higher at the lake than at the dam.

And today;
Lake level = 779.65
Indianford Level = 777.82
21.96 inches higher at the lake than at the dam.

Yet another example of the Dam having negligible ability to control high water. Mother Nature, and the narrowness of the river, does that.

Cambridge Residents Deal With Flooding

From WISC TV-3 Madison

During the night, the flooding crept into Cambridge in far eastern part of Dane County. After midnight, 4 inches of rain fell in less than an hour. The heavy rains sent the Koshkonong Creek over its banks and into a nearby strip mall, WISC-TV reported.

Cambridge Village President Donn Trieloff said that residents should take heed.

"There literally was a tree floating across the road," he said. "So they need to use some caution. Should we get any more rain, the puddle that they may be driving in may be deeper than what they think it is."

A strip mall took the brunt of the flooding after the torrential rains.

"This building back behind us is probably about 8 to 10 inches deep all the way through," said Deann Koepke, a Cambridge business owner.

There are some reports of sewer backups. Village officials said that they had sandbags ready if residents need them, WISC-TV reported.

Today = 779.65

Lake Levels rose another 5.15 inches.

Inflow from Jefferson DECREASED from 6960 to 6940 cfs

Outflow at Indianford INCREASED from 5010 to 5750 cfs.

The water is working its way past the constriction of the river near Newville.

More rain forecast for Tuesday night.

One Week Ago Today

Saturday - 8/18

Lake Level - 776.14 - BELOW DNR Summer Target;

ALL Slide Gates Open/Wicket Gates Closed

Today - 779.22 - 36 inches OVER DNR Summer Target

Inflow was - 683 cfs; Today - 6960

Outflow was - 1140 cfs; Today - 5010

Up today another 5.76 inches

Lake level = 779.22

Inflow = 6960
Outflow = 5010

Keep in mind the inflow does not measure flows from Koshkonong Creek or Allen or Otter creeks.

Wetlands now holding "good" water

So, is the RKLD water level request "bad" water??

From the DNR

Jefferson County - Anglers are catching a few bluegill on Rock Lake but action has slowed considerably over the past couple weeks. A few bluegill are still being caught near the weed beds instead of being suspended in deeper water. Anglers are catching some largemouth bass in the 14-15 inch size limit throughout the lake especially by the weed beds. Recent rains have brought water levels up considerably on the Rock and Crawfish Rivers. Wetlands are now holding good water which should improve conditions for the upcoming waterfowl seasons.

Related post HERE

Westsidebenny - This Ought to Be Good

Tony-2-chins,
I too am a sucker for the anecdotal. Like say when the whole pier washes away it only makes sense that there are MAJOR troubles with controlling the fluctuations of this lake. I too cannot yet understand how it matters not what level the lake starts at with regards to where it ends up. But I have pledged to study and restudy until I understand.

I will then learn to ignore my eyes and common sense. I guess the judge didn't have time to do this when he rejected all of the "science" and falsely sided on the few at the expense of the many. The only thing I have as yet gleaned from the hydrology study is that the lake will have a tendency to flood by its very nature. How this is an argument for an even higher start point is something I will need to learn.

I have about 150 of 300 pages of the RKLD study left to read. The other studies were much more to the point and are generally of the opinion that raising the lake level would be of little benefit and potentially of much damage.

Not to get anecdotal or unscientific again but so much of the support for higher water focuses on boating near the shoreline. So if we establish a new shoreline what is accomplished but the ability to ding your prop on what should be dry land? Why not stop using tax dollars to fight the ruling and put it towards constructive improvements?

I will have a chronology of events that have led us up to here prepared within a week or two as fishing and work allows. There are some very interesting points from the hearing that do not side favorably with raising the water. Including how the current lake level was established and testimony that ended up thrown out.

Side Note: There are many that are passionate on both sides of this debate. It is important to the lake. If you don't care about anything except the most recent fishing report please note that lake link allows you to review only fishing reports. Select that in your search if you don't want to hear about this. I always check the NO box if I am not reporting about the current bite.

UPDATE:

Well said Westsidebenny!!! If you ding up prop on the rock or Kosh your notusing common sence of boating!!!
One Shot (a duck hunter, no doubt)

UPDATE II
Even using common sense the Mighty Kosh can and will take out your prop.

Last summer I busted off a blade motoring very slowly from Gilberts bay into the river. I was easily 200 ft. out into the lake from the last market buoy on the junk pile and still caught a rock.
Koshkonong Krippler

Koshkonong Creek Is a River

From the Madison Cap Times
Click HERE

...Cambridge braced for floodwaters from the swollen Koshkonong Creek today, piling sandbags Thursday night in the latest effort in Dane County to stem the tide of the historic rains set to end sometime later today.

Perhaps the wetlands at Carcajou are flooding from the backside, before Lake Koshkonong rose above the OHWM...

...The daily water level update from the United States Geological Survey today shows Lake Monona almost two feet above the target maximum level, while Lake Waubesa is 1.6 feet above the max, Lake Mendota 1.5 feet above the max and Lake Kegonsa .27 feet above the max.

Lake Koshkonong is 30 inches ABOVE summer max - hydrology is NOT a one-size science!

..."The fixed boat hoists could have boats floating off if they are set too low in the high water conditions," Falk said. "Make adjustments in your piers and boat hoists."

Welcome to life on Lake Koshkonong.

Post from Tony2Chins - Lake Links

So the study says that a 10,000 acre lake under flood conditions can affectively drain down a 150 yd wide river because the pitch of the river? Logically it would seem that 7 inches on a 10,000 acre lake would give the flood a head start.

If the lake drained as effectively as the "hydrology study" alleges there would never be high water right? Doesn't seem to hold true does it?

That said I officially retire from the overcooked water level debate.

To all of my RKLD website fans I wish you luck.

Lets get back to the fishing reports and leave the griping to the professionals. Much love, peace, happiness, and safety to all those on "THE DEAD SEA." I expect to see some great fish pics with the plate this full of water

tony2chins,
You can talk logic all you want but the science is correct.

Having said that, everyone must understand this is not the RKLD hydrology data.

We commissioned the study but it is the nationally approved water resource science used by NOAA, USGS and the DNR.

USGS and the DNR were involved in the study agreed with the results.
Diver

Lake Links Posting from One Shot - a duck hunter (??)

I don't know whats so hard to under stand The river was there first
The DNR must keep the river @ Minium level.
So if that mean draining the kosh to keep the river flowing.
Its done all over the State of WI So don't think your the only ones. Happy fishing!!!

A word to the wise ain't necessary, it's the stupid ones who need the advice.
Bill Cosby

Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.
Albert Einstein

'Tis better to be silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.
Abraham Lincoln

Not in Top Ten...YET

Any guesses on a Top 5 finish??

Ya think we'll pass this Spring's level??

Hint: From the NOAA

Today = 778.74
_______________________________________
Historical Crests

(1) 12.23 ft on 04/25/1993
(2) 11.49 ft on 06/05/2004
(3) 11.02 ft on 06/07/2000

(4) 10.58 ft on 04/07/2007

(5) 9.77 ft on 04/23/1998
____________________________________

(6) 9.73 ft on 04/28/1999
(7) 9.45 ft on 03/23/1990
(8) 9.19 ft on 03/21/1994
(9) 9.02 ft on 03/14/1997
(10) 8.93 ft on 03/31/1991

Rain Rain Go Away...Part II

Rising tides of Lake Koshkonong;

Friday, 8/24 = 6 inches
Thursday, 8/23 = 5.52 inches
Wednesday 8/22 = 4.2 inches
Tuesday 8/21 = 3.1 inches
Monday 8/20 = 5.88 inches
Sunday 8/19 = 6.48 inches

Rainfall this month

Aug. 4: 4.22 inches
Aug. 5: 0.01
Aug. 6: 3.88
Aug. 7: 0.01
Aug. 8: 0.10
Aug. 9: 0.01
Aug. 10: 0.01
Aug. 11: 0.41
Aug. 12: 0.01
Aug. 13: 1.26
Aug. 14: 0.02
Aug. 15: 0.33

Aug. 18: 2.01
Aug. 19: 2.37
Aug. 20: 0.02
Aug. 21: 0.54
Aug. 22: 1.69

Total: 16.90

Wetter than Seattle

By the numbers:

17 = Days of rain this month

16.9 = Inches of rain this month, making it the wettest month ever

10.9 = Previous record one-month rain total

3.8 = Average inches of rain in August

Will Levels Keep Rising?

YES!

Lake Levels increased 6 inches last night - and another storm blew through our area - rising t0 778.74.

Inflow from Jefferson = 6170 cfs
Outflow at Indianford = 4170 cfs

Clearly, we are taking in more than discharging, but that is only half the story.

It takes time - 4-6 days - for all that water to pass through the tight constriction at the mouth of the river, east of Newville, STH 59 bridge, and Harbor Recreation. on its path to Indianford.

How do we know when levels will begin dropping? One indication is when the cfs numbers above flip.

Take a look at the MARCH and APRIL log sheets from this past Spring. You will see the snow melt and ice cap melt raised lake levels, but Indianford was still flushing more water than what was flowing in - so the climb was a slow, 0.5 to 2.5 inch per day increase. Not until the Spring rains hit frozen ground did we see the lake climb to 780.55 - where it crested.

The difference between August 24th (778..74) and March 24th (779.41) is 8 inches. However, the rise is occuring much more rapidly today.

This past Spring, it took 5 days to add those 8 inches to get to 779.41, and another 11 days to add another 8 inches.

When the levels begin dropping, we'll take a look at duration.

Great Quotes re; Water Levels

From the Janesville Gazette HERE
________________________________________

..."I just hope people are operating their dams," said Sue Josheff, the lower Rock River supervisor for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. "A lot of people own dams-municipalities, utilities, private people. They need to make sure they keep those spillways clean and flowing."

Yea, right. DNR has a fondness for Dams now? Nice try. DNR receives an operators report EVERY DAY.

...Up river, Lake Koshkonong has not had a slow/no wake enacted, and it won't happen, Jefferson County emergency management director Donna Haugom said. The county only enforces slow/no wake zones on rivers.

But the need for the zones in Jefferson County is determined by the water level in Lake Koshkonong. This morning, it was a foot short.

There is your answer, Blackhawk Island residents, the levels on the lake are too low for Ms. Haugom to issue a Slow/No Wake upstream.

Another Compliment to the Board

Brian,
This current freak of nature rainy weather, causing the rising waters in late August might just be the best thing to ever happen to the whole Rock River & the Lake Koshkonong water shed project. I have not seen so much activity & concern about the water levels & the dam operation on this web-site since it’s inception.

This site is providing very important information to a large group of people & it appears many more continue to get involved.

The RKLD has kept my family & I informed down here in Chicago, I’ll be coming up this week-end to pull out my boat.

Thx to the RKLD for all your hard work & knowledge. Who knows maybe we will eventually use the dam for high water & power generation as opposed to just low water flow control. Thx, rbh

Ps. I will probably end be putting the boat back in the water next week end for labor day, when the water drops, but that’s the price we pay for living on water front property’s.

Gates Control LOW water, not HIGH water

In reponse to the many, many emails like Vivian's question below, I will elaborate on that answer, for those who have only moved here in the last 10 days and for those who seemingly are unaware of the vast amount of data available on the RKLD website.

On the WATER LEVEL page, at the bottom, are the monthly logs of water levels, flow, and gate operations. This report SAMPLE - JULY is filed daily with the DNR, Rock County and Jefferson County.

It is fairly easy to see that the RKLD does an amazing job at adhering to the complex DNR operating orders, found HERE, on the Indianford Dam page.

Now, since we are receiving so many emails, it is obvious that those folks must also have Internet access. And because this board is comprised of all volunteers, we post everything - in hopes our 4,000+ constituents will find their answers on the RKLD site. And as you will see if you navigate the site for just 10 minutes, the board has been 110% transparent.

So, looking back at August 1st, for all you new residents unfamiliar with the DNR orders or the quirky behavior of Mother Nature - the lake levels were dropping and were in fact BELOW the traget level of 776.2 -- see easy-to-read graph HERE.

Gates were opened and closed almost daily due to the lack of rain (controlling the LOW water) in attempts to keep the lake levels near target.

On August 18th, Saturday, the lake level was 776.14, BELOW target., yet ALL 6 SLIDE GATES WERE OPEN.

Then, the rain started, and on AUGUST 20th, BOTH WICKET GATES WERE OPENED 100%

In other words, when the rains started and the forecast was what it was last week, ALL GATES were wide open.

So, please, read the orders and understand, DNR operating orders also requires the RKLD to measure inflow into the lake when determining what we can do with the gates at Indianford.

Rock County Sheriff is THEE AUTHORITY for No Wake

Hi Brian,
Every time local government throws a 'temporary no wake' on the ROCK RIVER in the Town of Fulton, the Janesville Gazette fails to mention if this includes LAKE KOSHKONONG in the Town of Fulton. and whether or not there is a 'distance from shoreline' no wake restriction on the lake. No surprise, huh?

Seems as though most people call the DNR office in Janesville for this info. I did just that, to find out this information, an here are the results.

The DNR office said ' We don't have that information, you'll have to call Rock County Parks & Recreation'. I asked for their phone number, and they gave me the number 757-5458 for snowmobile trail info, and I was told 'they should have information on who to talk to in Parks & Recreation'.

Next, I just looked the number up in the phone book (757-5450) and called. This is what I was told, ' We're not in charge of that ...you'll have to call the DNR'. I told her that the DNR told me to call Parks & Rec and she said 'all we know is what is in the paper'.

I suggested that maybe I should call the sheriff's dept. The sheriff's dept said this; 'the no-wake is in effect for the entire rock river in the Town of Fulton'. I asked if this included Lake Koshkonong in the Town of Fulton and he said that 'it just says the river and thats all the information they have'.

I told him that I will just assume that Lake Koshkonong is not under the restriction, and the call ended.

Just as I thought, and my sole purpose for calling around.

Everyone was lost to a certain degree regarding this subject (and I'm not even going to try calling Jefferson County regarding this matter).

I know this confusion will arise again and again, until the water goes back down and the temporary 'river no wake' restriction is lifted. People will file complaints to local law enforcement, and people may even be wrongly ticketed.

We risk negative publicity regarding recreational use of our lake because of misguidance.

We all know that boat wakes from distances off-shore will never reach shorelines, and that wind & wave action have more of an adverse effect on the shorelines. We realize this, but unfortunately a lot of lake property owners do not.

It's still summer and sooner than later the sun will shine and people will want to go boating. Lets clarify the boundaries of this temporary restriction for people using our waterway. We need to channel questions to one location.

We need to supply complete and correct information to organizations such as the DNR, Rock County Parks & Recreation, the Sheriff's Dept, and the 'greatest source of lake misinformation' our local Janesville Gazette.

Maybe we, the RKLD, should be the first authority regarding temporary no-wake information. Let's tell-em' ...please step aside, this is our lake.
Tom

The Chairman of the town of Fulton "advises" the Rock County Sheriff's Department re: No wake on this portion of the Rock River.

Not the DNR....Not the Janesville Parks Department....Not the County Board....the Sheriff's Department posts the Slow/No Wake and no one else.

Misunderstanding RE: Gate Operations and High Water

Hi Brian,
I know this is a ridiculous question because everyone in Wisc. and Illinois living around water is worried about the water level. But I am curious how often they open the gates in normal water level conditions to keep the lake lower than we want verses now when the water level is raising rapidly. You'd think the dam operators would be working feverishly opening the gates to Keep That Water Level down according to DNR regulations.

Vivian Knoble
_____________________________

Vivian -
The RKLD operates the dam in strict adherence to the DNR Operating orders

Click HERE

The Hydrology has proven time and time again that the lake does not serve as some sort of flood storage facility.

What you see out your window has absolutely nothing to do with the operations of the dam - the dam can only control low water, not high water.

This is a result of Mother Nature, and Mother Nature alone.

A compliment to the Board

You are doing an outstanding job at keeping everyone informed about the lake study, the DNR and especially, about how the current lake conditions would have been impacted if the levels were raised!!! I really appreciate the info.....

Thanks,
Dan

Blackhawk Island Comment

Hi Brian,
I read that "Rock" county has issued a "slow/no wake" order for the Rock River but the requirements for "Jefferson" county to do so, do not get satisfied until we on Blackhawk Island are already under water. Is there anything anybody can do to "encourage" Jefferson county to follow suit with Rock county? Perhaps the voices of many rather than just me calling Jefferson county emergency management. Also the order would be and has historically been useless without enforcement. We have never seen a Sheriff's boat during a flood. Also, how do I register to post on your blog or is this done through you?
Great job getting the word out about the timing on the fireworks. They were beautiful. Thank you, Scott

_____________
Scott;
You and your neighbors need to lean on the local town governemnt to request the county sheriff's department place a slow/no wake on that portion of the river.

At least, that is how the process works in the town of Fulton, Rock County.
Brian

Monsoon Rains Hit Again

Today's lake level is 778.24 - an increase of 5.52 inches from yesterday.

Inflow from Jefferson = 5110 (up from 311 on Aug 1st)

Outflow at Indianford = 3730 (up from 266 on Aug 1st)

What A Difference A Day Makes...

The first graph from the NOAA is their current predictions, now displaying flood stage next Thursday, August 30th.

The second graph was their prediction before yesterday and last night's monsoon...a foot lower than flood stage.

LINK HERE

Why is my pier floating away?

Total rainfall from August 1 through August 22 at 11:15am has been 13.25 inches at the USGS rain gage at Bingham Pt.

Next Question?

Law enforcement declares slow/no wake zones in area

From the Janesville Gazette HERE

...The city of Janesville has asked the Rock County Sheriff's Department to enforce a slow/no wake zone within city limits, as have most communities along the river, including Fulton, Janesville, Rock and Beloit townships.

Westsidebenny Posting - At It Again

Well the water is on the lawns but not over the road so thats swell. Half the pier floated away which is about the norm.

Were was the water relative to the proposed level when we started? Where would it be RIGHT NOW had it started there? Still hasn't crested yet. MORE rain on the way.

It's not all sunshine and blue skies men. I wouldn't be too quick to start the back patting yet because had we been at the proposed level to start with she'd be bursting at the seems again.
Kinda like having April in August.

At the days end its still a dish that many wish was a bucket. Any ideas on how to change that?

BTW: Heard some Joe's are picking up a mixed bag of dinkers trolling the lake.

Westsidebeny,
look at the hydrology study closely and you will see that if the levels had been where requested that the levels now would be the same as they are.

What would happen is there would have been a greater tip or downhill slope, which allows more water to pass through the gates and over the dam till the waters below the dam rises.

The greater the drop the faster the water movement.
Diver

From Rancor - Lakelinks

Why can't we have it both ways? Start raising the lake on Thursday for the weekend. Starting dropping it on Monday.

Rain Rain Go Away...

Rising tides of Lake Koshkonong;

Sunday 8/19 = 6.48 inches
Monday 8/20 = 5.88 inches
Tuesday 8/21 = 3.1 inches
Wednesday 8/22 = 4.2 inches

Today's Lake Level = 777.78

Inflow from Jefferson = 3980 cfs
outflow at Indianford = 3170 cfs
__________________________

And PLEASE stop asking if the gates are open!

Reply to Sherman Comments

To All;
Please refrain from hostile comments. The Sherman post generated a ton of email, but they all have a similar flavor as this one below.
BC
________________

Brian;
The (person) who wrote this hasn't broke props, hasn't experienced not being able to get his boat on his boat lift and doesn't fish.

Apparently he thinks the world revolves around their own little world and it doesn't include other property owners who want to enjoy this fine resource for what it could be when all we're asking for is to eliminate the ridiculously low, low summer water levels.

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, forget all of these (people) who don't use common sense and cannot recognize that 8 inches of rain in 24 hours floods property whether or not it is on a waterway.
Jim

Send in your Predictions

Today, the NOAA is predicting the lake will crest on Tuesday, 8/28 at 9.2 feet - an increase of 18 inches from where the lake is at now.

But already, today's forecast for rain did not happen in the region - although rain is indeed forecast for the rest of this week.

The person closest to the date and stage level at crest will win...our admiration, as demostrated with a hearty "atta-boy" the day after crest at Norm's Hideaway.

Historical Crests

(1) 12.23 ft on 04/25/1993
(2) 11.49 ft on 06/05/2004
(3) 11.02 ft on 06/07/2000
(4) 10.58 ft on 04/07/2007
(5) 9.77 ft on 04/23/1998
(6) 9.73 ft on 04/28/1999
(7) 9.45 ft on 03/23/1990
(8) 9.19 ft on 03/21/1994
(9) 9.02 ft on 03/14/1997
(10) 8.93 ft on 03/31/1991

Comment RE: Current Water Level

dear brian,
im sorry to say that i have not been able to attend any mettings. i would however like to let you know how i feel about the whole water level issue.

It seems that you are spending a lot of our money on lawyers to fight the dnr over 7 inches of water. i think now would be a good time to take a walk down to the river and take a look. do we need another 7 inches. i dont think so.

UPDATE:

Some have suggested that the RKLD has wasted time and money on challenging the DNR and their supporting parties, the wetlands and hunting clubs. I would respond to those folks by saying that we met each and every DNR request for further study, more information and deeper research. To invest our tax dollars in such a massive book of knowledge, only to leave it on a bookshelf collecting dust, would have been the real waste of time and money.
2007 Annual Newsletter

As far as the current high water brought on by heavy precipitation, the EIR's Hydological research has proven the lake is not a storage facility for today's water levels -

*275-foot overflow spillway. This is a big issue – high flow water goes here and is not stored (therefore no flood storage)

* Drawdown does not have any effect on flood storage. Even if the lake is drawn down to very low levels, the flood peaks will still be the same.
Environmental Impact Report

i think maybe its time to start spending this money on other things that will improve our lake. how about some shoreline clean up. there is crap all over out there. we could use some lights on the bridges too. just ask jim schmeling.

UPDATE:

Shoreline clean-up of garbage, dead fish, or fallen trees is the responsibility of private landowners. Stepping on someone else's dry land is trespassing, in most cases.

Bridges are property of the state, the federal government and/or the railroads.

While I agree that for safety reasons, lights would provide safer
navigation, when we have used solar lights atop buoys, vandals have shattered
them.

And Jim Schmeling is a neighbor and a great American.

lots of other things im sure we can come up with. the other thing i dont like is the fact that we have to flip the whole bill. what about all the non residents that use the lake. are we getting any money from them?

UPDATE:

The use of the water is protected under the WI Constitution
Public Trust Doctrine

...navigable waters should be free to all for commerce, for travel, for recreation, and also for hunting and fishing, which are now mainly certain forms of recreation.

If the non-residents own property within the boundaries of the lake district, then yes, they receive the special charge on their properly tax bill just like the resident residents.

For powers of a Lake District, read this WI Statutes Chapter 33

write back when you have time. you should consider having the next meeting in newville. culvers has a lot of room.

Since I live in Newville, I would love holding the annual meeting here,
however, I doubt Culver's can accommodate our usual attendance of 200, much less
2005's record attendance of 600+.

thanks for your time.
doug sherman

Thank you Doug and please attend our next annual meeting, or even our monthly board meetings for more information.

We are a community that respects the rights of everyone to enjoy the beauty of Lake Koshkonong. Let us use this victory as motivation to carry us on to the next effort; amending DNR operating orders that roughly 20 years ago, artificially dropped Lake Koshkonong‘s water levels.
2005 Annual Newsletter

Water Levels Rising

Today's lake levels continue to climb - 777.43.

Inflow to the lake from the Jefferson Dam as measured at the USGS gauge in FOrt Atkinson is 3580 cfs.

Outflow as measured at the Indianford Dam is 2923 - so clearly, lake levels will continue to rise.

If you are interested in predictions of how high the water will rise, click HERE - NOAA

Has the bite improved?

Brian,
I thought you’d like to know that since the water has risen the fishing has become noticeably better. I spoke with numerous people over the week end & they said that if the water was kept close to it’s present level the fishing would be so much better.
Typically in August the fishing is non existent BECAUSE OVER THE LOW WATER LEVELS. rbh

Take a Look Today at your Shorelines

Today's lake levels are 777.17 -- 11.64 inches ABOVE DNR summer target.

All 6 slide gates, and both wicket gates are 100% open.

Keep in mind, today's water level is more than 2 inches above what the RKLD is requesting.

And no land is flooding OR above the ORDINARY HIGH WATER MARK (OHWM).

See OHWM study on the Science page -

HERE

DNR Improves Local Boat Launch

Now if only the DNR would clean-up, or remove, their former office building near the same launch.....

Protecting lakes is as vital as buying land

From the Vilas County News Review HERE

...If a lake or river is choked to death by invasive weeds, is it just boat owners who suffer the consequences? Doesn’t the loss of a state-owned resource, held in trust for all residents, affect everyone to some extent?

...If you don’t believe that, look at Monona, Mendota and Pewaukee lakes in southern Wisconsin, where the milfoil infestations are out of control.

...Thank God we’ve got real conservationists in Vilas and Oneida counties who have made it their mission to protect our lakes, because left up to the DNR, the effort would fail horribly.

State-regulated dams often miss required 10-year inspections

From the Milw Journal Sentinel
CLick HERE

...Nearly 80% of all state-regulated dams have no emergency action plans in case the dams fail, as required by law, a Journal Sentinel analysis of state data shows. About half of the 205 high-hazard dams and 84% of the 135 significant-hazard dams have no emergency plans, according to the records.
_____________________________

See the Emergency Action Plan for the Indianford Dam HERE

Why Burn the Wetlands?

Brian;
As I read through the science pages, it seems obvious we have spent a lot of money studying the wetlands areas around the lake.

What I take from all the reports is, the wetlands need to be wet. And if they are not wet, then invasive plants take root, which then crowds-out the favorable wetland plants that invite the ducks in.

The duck clubbers and wetlands owners can deny the science all they want, but how else do they explain the need to burn their wetlands, other than to kill-off the invasive plants??

I love reading this blog. Thank you for posting everything, even from people like westsidebenny who disagree, and are disagreeable.
Brad

Opinions vs, Facts

Brian;
It looks like we really are making some progress.

Many of the people with negative opinions of the RKLD have not read any of the reports. They have based their opinions on what they have heard from people opposed to everything except low water all summer.

Greenheads4ever, many of the families supporting the RKLD effort for higher water also belong to the organizations helping in our legal battle. These same folks have also been the major supporter of the Bark River Hatchery for many years. I believe that shows we all are working for the fishery.

The RKLD also has been successful in obtaining close to $90,000.00 in grants for the wetland owners (duck hunters) to protect their wetland investments and recreational areas. Many of the boaters who support higher water levels also fish and hunt ducks in the fall. Read all the facts and make an educated decision for yourself.
Fred

What About Janesville, Beloit? - Lake Links

Have read al the posts. Have yet to see any one relate to the down-river probs on the rock.

Beloits riverfest draws thousands of people and has a skiing comp. that requires water. By opening the dam at Indianford and closing it just past Beloit that pool stay's full.

Also have you drivin lately through Janesville and see what low water does there. Janesville also has a festival that requires water from the rock.

Its just not us that want to fish the rock (Kosh) but other communities also rely on this river.

I am all for raising the mean depth of kosh. After early july I stop fishin here cause of the depth.

I'll bet this whole river thing is far above what we actualy know.

Look at all the communities that benifit from this waterway. It all starts near Horicon and ends up in the Mississippi near the middle of Ill.

Both the DNR and Rkld have to deel with all the rocks needs.

Personaly, I feel that all the people that have dealt with this lake have done a good job. This fishery to my knowlegde is the best its been. I have fished this system for over 30yrs. My catches are better now than 20yrs ago.
Fuzzyfishin

Fuzzyfishin,
By holding the pool of water in Koshkonong at 7 inches higher level during high water periods by simply closing the gates sooner will not affect the level down stream of Indianford, in fact it could serve a slight benefit in reducing flood levels sooner down stream because what happens is the water flow would be slowed, not stopped, water would still be flowing from Koshkonong over the dam instead of threw it.

In low flow periods along with evaporation during drought periods the lake could not maintain those 7 inches, I believe the Hydrology data shows it would only be about 3.5 inches, which would benefit Koshkonong a great deal but regardless of that downstream pools, Janesville, Rock, Beloit, etc pools are maintained by there own respective dams, not Koshkonong, or Indianford, if your respective dams are open for generation of electrical power or just open your levels will continue to drop.

As for your fishing being better now than 20 years ago, I have to say mine are not, on Koshkonong we caught numerous Panfish species in quantities unheard of today along with Walleyes & Northerns.

Why, because back then we had spawning habitat that was holding water, unlike today when no water exist in those spawning areas because of the DNR mandated winter drawdown.
Diver

Westsidebenny is being more reasonable

Westsidebenny;
Of course the water is at a higher level during high river flow from spring thaws or heavy rainfalls.

The reason for the summer low levels that we recently experienced is because of the dam operating orders. The gates are open right up to the point that you only have 3 feet of water, as you say over the rocks. The dam itself is not being fully utilized do to the operating orders requiring gates to be open at ridiculously low levels.

You ask why argue with the DNR?

We ask; why can’t we hold some water back instead of draining it to the bottom?

The DNR just did exactly what we want at Horicon for the hunters and ducks?

I’ve read your posts saying that RKLD is only for boaters and they forget about the hunters and fishermen/women. (below; Greenheads4ever)

1) The winter drawdown has been proven to kill many beneficial organisms as well as herps & fish without having any benefit towards reducing flooding.

2) The drawdown does not benefit spring fish habitat for spawning, fish need somewhere to spawn and that has always been wetlands and structure, and without it little or no spawning takes place.

3) The RKLD paid for the work done by Montgomery Associates for the Hydrology study but the DNR and USGS both worked on the report at their own expense.

4) Why do I think this lake would be better, because I have lived on this lake for over 60 years and know that years of higher water levels the fish spawning increases and we have much better fishing for a period of time until the one time spawning success has fish has been fished out or died.

5) The same thing happens with ducks, more water better breeding grounds in the wetlands and more places for them to rest during the entire open water season.
Diver

Diver,
That is one of the most well written responses to my contrary feelings that anyone has offered in some time. I intend to read all of the articles on the RKLD website.

So far I have read one by the DNR and the RKLD's refutation. I do think their is more to this than the claim that a few rich duck hunters are behind the whole thing to prevent individuals from entering bays in the fall. Turning the bays into mudflats doesn't help them either.

I do agree that the water could be higher than it is during mid summer. I too know the frustration of needing to wait until mid June to put out a monster of a pier. My prop does have a little Koshkonong polish on it from Dahlman's landing.

I would be the first to jump on board with higher water if it appeared that better controls could be put in place. If it is as simple as opening and closing gates in Indian Ford maybe I have something to learn.

Like I said I intend to devote a little more time to researching the published facts of this hot potato to add to my shoreside observations.
Westsidebenny

Westsidebenny,
Thanks for listening and I appreciate the compliment on my post.

Hopefully others will read what RKLD has on their website and when they have questions about something they will ask the appropriate people RKLD, DNR, USGS, USFWL or experts for answers.

One other thing I would like to comment on is the belief that a few people have on RKLD contracted expert’s data being skewed because they hired/contracted them.

I know of no Professional or Professional Firm that would risk their licenses and livelihood for any person, business or government. They will only report what the research data shows, whether it helps their clients are or not.
Diver

More Chatter on Lake Links

The RKLD supports recreational boating, not hunting and fishing. That is my problem with them.
Greenheads4ever

What is the DNR's angle or benefit? I see them being accused of somehow intentional wrong doing here. Just wondering why as usually for a person or entity to do harm to others they would need to perceive benefit to self.

Anyone notice how late the spring floods came this year? It didn't correspond directly to ice out. Anyone notice how little actual percipitation it took to cause this, how long it lasted and how quickly it happened.

Then when it gets dry as it always does the lake goes down. Way down. Why can't THAT be stopped? Now I may not be a hydrologist but something here is askew. What is the point of facilitating potential (pretty much yearly) flooding in the spring when the lake is determined to return to its chosen state? Maybe what I consider common sense runs counter to whatever hydrographic data that was purchased supporting higher lake levels. Westsidebenny

Westsidebenny, Are you telling us that RKLD purchased the Hydrology study and the there PhD Hydrologist, DNR & USGS all collaborated together and it is made up data to support RKLD?

Seems to me your common sense in not what you think it is.
Diver

What I'm trying to say is what is the point of trying to raise the water? It doesn't work. Early this spring, every spring for that matter, you could probably find an average depth of 7 feet over the rockpile. What is it now three feet? The deepwater, if you can call it that, occurs when and only when the lake is at or beyond its shorelines. Yet no matter how high it gets it seems that the level is not maintainable at what some would like.

Who did pay for the reports? Someone did, nothing is free in this world. Why is the DNR fighting the RKLD? Why are they wrong? Educate me as to how my viewpoint is wrong. I will listen to any arguments. Tell me why you beleive this lake would be better off at a higher level.
Westsidebenny
______________________________

To be continued - above.......

Westsidebenny - Greatest HITS

From Westsidebenny, April 8th, 2007

...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.

From westsidebenny, April 9, 2007

...However, this highly ignorant man (me), fails to see how higher levels would make no difference.

...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!

From Westsidebenny, August 8, 2007

...It will never be allowed to reach its potential as both a duck and fish factory because of money and politics...and to because it would so boldly change its shorelines.

...Well I'm sure some real experts will now step up to refute what I've written. I hope when they do they also state what their motivation is.

Steve H Responds - From LakeLinks

Thank you RKLD for saving our dam and following the wishes of the vast majority of the property owners. If anyone questions this, attend the annual meetings.

Diver Responds - From LakeLinks

Statements accusing the RKLD Board or one or two people of being loud mouths and then insinuating it is for cigarette boats for navigation definitely shows your bias.

The RKLD has spent more money gathering scientific data than the DNR ever did for this water resource, everything the RKLD has formally requested is backed by scientific data, from hydrology to biology and that data was acquired using the best technology available by experts with PhD’s in each field of science needed for their requests, not like the hearsay that some here who wish to present themselves as experts.

Apparently the RKLD bashers don’t attend the RKLD Annual Meetings or the bashers did attend and they found themselves in the minority and don’t like it.

The RKLD has always acted in a business fashion and only does what the majority of District Property owners vote for, in this case it was to continue their efforts for a more reasonable water level, (using scientific data) for all recreational users not just a few.

As for bashing the DNR, look again most of what is on the website is what has been published in newspapers from all over the state condemning the DNR for their deceitful tactics.

Westsidebenny Posting - From Lakelinks

Tony,
You couldn't be more right on about what you're getting at. The whole deal is 100% politics and a couple of loudmouths.

Look at it this way, one or three people have a stake in ciggerette boats being able to navigate the waterway. The rest....well you be the judge.

This lake is better off being what it wants to be. I have made the anology before but will do so one more time. A dish holds less water than a bowl...can you guess which one the Kosh is?

Edit: Would like to add. I am not sure what the official stance of the RKLD is but that aside I retract nothing from the above statement. Why should it be taboo to openly discuss important lake matters where more than a few sets of eys will see?

The fluctuations the kosh goes through are the same as anywhere but less depth to start with. This can't be helped by flooding out residents in the spring, ruining shorelines, etc,etc,etc. It will never be allowed to reach its potential as both a duck and fish factory because of money and politics...and to because it would so boldly change its shorelines.

A lot of people also think the low water kills the fishery. Especially in the winter. The truth is this type of basin fishery is always going to be a fickle maidon. The fish don't die off in droves. They do move around though. Find them and your in shangrila...otherwise its the dead sea.

I don't want to get all worked up here tonight but there ya be. If you want the whole picture you might want to look at pre 1930's koshkonong (pre Indian Ford Dam). I don't think anyone really wants to return to that(on account of every lakefront property would have a few hundred yards of cattails in front of it) but from all accounts it was a duck and fish paradise.

Well I'm sure some real experts will now step up to refute what I've written. I hope when they do they also state what their motivation is.

Tony2Chins Posting - On LakeLinks

Trolled rock pile sunday cranks and spinners no dice. (1 1/2 hr only) I have a question about the lake level controversy.

I have read up on this recently and am thoroughly confused about a couple of things. The rkld publicly bashes the WDNR about basically everything. The district has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on essentially nothing.(lawyers fees). The website trashes duck hunters (DISTRICT RESIDENTS i ASSUME)all over the place. As a fisherman and a hunter (read pro-conservation) I don't really understand the lack of productivity on the rkld board.

Why would you want to butt heads with the WDNR? Shouldn't they be your ally? In the business world the people in charge of this lake would be FIRED.

Maybe people should start thinking about that rather than squabble or a few lousy inches on a lake that is really a rivery-marsh-like type thing. I bet I could buy a lot of shallow water markers with the +500k the lawyers are putting in the college fund.

Kegonsa, Waubesa, Delavan, Mendota, etc.... ever hear of those lakes? Try them if you can't handle the DEAD SEA. Quit complaining and make some improvements. Anything would be nice.
Tony2Chins

Congrats to the Popes of The Buckhorn

PUBLIC HEARING

Opera House - STOUGHTON

4:30pm Today

DNR Shoreline Zoning.

See previous posts.

All Slide Gates are OPEN

Yesterday's Lake levels reached 776.39 - all 6 slide gates were opened Monday afternoon.

Today's levels are at 776.35 - and gates will remain open.

Both wicket gates remain fully closed.

For those of you sending emails complaining about low water - know that we are ABOVE the DNR Summer Max.

As lakes dry up, concern swells

From the Milw Journal Sentinel
Click HERE


...It's no secret it's been dry in Wisconsin the past two years. Aside from a stingy number of raindrops, the drought has been compounded by a mild winter that left below-normal amounts of snow to melt and replenish groundwater tables. Plus warm winters meant lakes froze over later, allowing more water to evaporate, said Richard Lathrop, a DNR research limnologist. Lathrop said he has noticed the shoreline stretching on the Vilas County lake where he has a cabin.


...Even if torrential rains hit the state in the next few weeks, it wouldn't make much difference, said Provost, because plants will suck up that moisture. Groundwater tables need precipitation in spring and late fall to recharge.

More Public Comments

Brian,
After reading the most recent blogs it sounds like making any progress for the improvements of Lake Koshkonong are worse than ever. The DNR looks to be on the attack & the home owner of lake front property is their enemy. What do they intend to do, take our homes through emanate domain, this is an outrage. The DNR bites the hand that feeds them & they should be held accountable for all the miss-management of the Koshkonong water shed for so many years.

Our split log cabin has been on the shores of the Rock River since the 1940’s how can they take it from us now, some 70 years later ??? We pay our share of the taxes so that the duck hunters can enjoy the lake for the brief hunting period in the fall while we suffer the rest of the year. Why doesn’t the DNR go after all the sewage run off from factories & businesses along the river ??? Why can’t they work with all the people not just the elitist duck hunters that line the DNR’s pockets through special interest dollars ???
Sadly, rbh

Horicon Marsh Comment II

Nothing surprising there either, that is why the DNR partially suspended the winter drawdown, postponed it till November, so duck hunters could get to their duck blinds.
Jim

Horicon Marsh Comment

What strikes me is that the wetland/duck hunters in the Horicon want a little extra water to bring more migratory birds to the area.
Steve

DNR Continues to Pick Winners and Losers

Among the most often repeated statements by the DNR throughout last year's Contested Case Hearing was that their Operating Orders for Lake Koshkonong simply "mimicked mother nature."

To paraphrase, DNR documents indicated that holding back 7.2 inches of additional water depth for summer recreation safety and fishing did not follow the natural order - did not mimic summer drought conditions.

Likewise, DNR claims that their artificial draining of the lake from November 1st to May 1st also mimicked mother nature when, with no dam at Indianford, Koshkonong would have been very shallow, if not non-existent.

Now we learn that the DNR has violated the conditions of "Mother Nature" for the benefit of migratory birds passing through Horicon Marsh - a water body mapped fully within the Rock River Basin.

From the DNR:

Horicon Marsh State Wildlife Area - Water levels at Horicon Marsh have been held at full pool throughout the summer, but as a result of the recent lack of rain, water levels have been declining a bit Conditions for the fall waterfowl season will depend on weather patterns over the next two months. There are no planned draw downs for the marsh, expect for isolated impoundments in order to re-establish vegetation as waterfowl food.

The motivations of the DNR are as transparent as ever - once they failed to bulldoze the Indianford Dam, they set their sites on the operating orders mandating water levels.

If the Janesville Gazette can say Lake Koshkonong will never become "another Lake Geneva," then certainly the RKLD can respond by saying, Lake Koshkonong should not become "another Horicon Marsh."

From the RKLD FAQ page:
Is the only thing the wetlands owners really care about is their duck hunting clubs?
The DNR appears to have a bias in favor of the duck hunters. Is that true?

Lake Level ABOVE DNR Summer Max

With yesterday and last night's rain, lake levels jumped-up 2.16 inches to 776.34.

All gates have been fully closed since Thursday, but even with low CFS flowing from Jefferson, we will be opening gates shortly.

WARNING: ARE YOU A WATERFRONT PROPERTY OWNER?

WI Homeowners Alliance

The Wisconsin DNR is proposing changes to the state's shoreland zoning regulations.



These changes will be applied to existing homes and property.



THE VALUE and ENJOYMENT of your home or property could be affected.



The proposed changes include:



1. Placing strict limits on the size of homes and the amount of impervious surface areas (structures, driveways, decks, etc.) within 300 feet of the water;



2. Increased minimum lot size requirements;



3. New standards for measuring the width of new and existing lots;



4. Prohibiting all expansion of buildings located within 35 feet of the water;



5. New restrictions on the removal and trimming of brush and trees between your home and the water.

DNR performance art: NR 115 is an act of oppression

Read More HERE

This is a must read!
_____________________________________


...The goal here is obvious. The DNR is simply offering a plan to do away with development completely within the shoreland zone, and everything else is political rhetoric.

The idea is to make development legal but so expressive it’s not practical especially, I believe, for existing properties within the 75-foot setback ‘I can’t wait to see those matrixes.

Mr. Hassett may have opined in his memo to the :NRB that the DNR had recognized the lifetime investments of law-abiding citizens, but he slipped when he followed that language with these words: ‘This proposal still has the goal of ultimate compliance".

And what is ultimate compliance? In Mr. Hassett’s own words; "it’s elimination".

This truth is, this new proposal is no doubt the most onerous draft yet, for it extends the regulatory reach of the ‘DNR, with its aim of elimination, farther than the department has ever dared to go; with vast restrictions beyond the 7SJoot setback.

In effect, this is the beginning of an effort to move the setback itself to 300 feet and the new restrictions, if passed, amount to a de facto partial move of the setback line, a precursor to an actual and formal 300-foot ‘setback.

People should know that that has been a goal for - many years, and so this should come as no surprise. As far back as 1988, the department developed a model ordinance and mission language calling for no net increase of impervious surfaces within 300 feet of the shoreline without 100 percent mitigation.

10 Reasons why Shoreline Zoning is Important to YOU

Read More HERE


And read another 10 reasons HERE

Shoreline Zoning Key Issues

Read More HERE and print a hard copy (PDF) for your use

Be Proud of All You Have Accomplished!

Lake district petition is suspended, ending year-long effort
From Minocqua's Lakeland Times

It is amazing that in Minocqua, organizers failed to form a lake district, especially when one considers the huge economic impact that the health of the water up there brings to the entire state.

However, when you read the article, you will see that it is the seasonal residents who failed the local organizers. In my opinion -- perhaps more than the permanent residents of Minocqua -- it is the seasonal property owners who should feel obligated to help create their lake district and give back to a resource that they obviously enjoy so much.

Thankfully, our "campers" believe in Lake Koshkonong. And I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to each and every seasonal resident - whether you drive here from Greater Chicago, Sycamore, Rockford, Belvadere, or Janesville, or Madison, or elsewhere - for your continued involvement and support for our efforts as a lake district.

Our portion of the Rock River and Lake Koshkonong is too precious to those of us who recognize their value among all user groups, regardless of where we call home.

On behalf of the RKLD Board of Commissioners, Thank You!
Brian Christianson

__________________

...The cost involved in addressing these problems is the main reason lake association volunteers sought to create a lake district.

...The state gave property owners the power to form lake districts in the early 1970s, giving riparian property owners a tool to protect their lakes.

..."Typically, a small group of volunteers were spending their time and money doing things that benefitted everybody," he said.

...The association, through past experience, has already learned that mailings are not effective.

"It's word of mouth and neighbors that make this thing work," Garrett said.

Proposed shoreland changes meet fierce opposition

From the Lakeland Times

...Jay Verhulst, a Vilas County supervisor, said the DNR had simply failed to listen to the people.
"As a result, you have come up with a draft that overreaches and attempts to overcome existing statutes and existing case law," Verhulst said.

Verhulst also questioned the credibility of the agency's science and said the DNR was attempting to fold other administrative rules into NR115 in an effort to transfer enforcement responsibility from the agency to counties.

"You are not creating a minimum standard but a strict zoning ordinance and that is not your statutory [responsibility]," he said.

Verhulst said there should be no revision so long as the proposed rule exempts incorporated areas and he said the effort would end up in litigation if the agency forced its will upon the people.

"I guess you are daring us to take you to court, and that is a pitiful thing for a state agency to do," he said.

Revised zoning rules prompt cool reception

From the Vilas County News Review

Despite four years of study and more than a dozen draft proposals, the latest effort by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to update shoreland development rules drew a cool response at a public hearing last Wednesday.

The DNR held the second of its eight sessions statewide in Rhinelander to hear public comment on proposed new rules along lakes and rivers. The new ideas reflect changes made to earlier drafts as a result of several public hearings and more than 50,000 comments received since the DNR launched efforts to update the 40-year-old rules in 2003.

The rules are contained in Chapter 115 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code.

Lakefront owners frustrated by lack of milfoil control

From the Vilas County News Review
Click HERE

...The big problem, according to Catfish Lake Association President Lois Derrick, is the DNR’s insistence on scheduling chemical treatments based on spring surveys that don’t accurately measure the weed volume.

As an example, she said the association documented 20 acres of milfoil on Catfish Lake in the fall of 2006, yet survey crews with Northern Environmental documented the presence of just 10.3 acres in mid- to late May.