Spring 2008 - No Fun

Be Sure to Tie It Down

Weekend of High Winds Hit Lake Hard

Wind and Water Hit Blackhawk Real Hard

Back Up We Go...

It was a tough weekend ---

Today = 781.27

Rise of 3.24 inches since Friday.

Inflow = 7,970 cfs (increased daily for last 5 days)

Outflow = 8,290 cfs

Drop of 7.5 inches

Slowly Dropping Lake Levels -

Sat = 1 inch

Sun = 3/4 inch

Mon = 3/4 inch

Tue = 1.44 inches

Wed = 1.68 inches

Today = 2 inches
______________________

Inflow = 6,530 cfs
Outflow = 7,900 cfs

Flood Assistance

From the Watertown Daily Times

JEFFERSON - Jefferson County has issued a declaration of emergency as a first step in an attempt to obtain funding to help individuals, businesses, and municipal governments recover from damages received as a result of recent and current flooding.

The Jefferson County Office of Emergency Management announced today it plans to engage in discussions with various agencies to see if any type of funding is available, according to Donna C. Haugom, director of emergency management.

Jefferson County Board Chairwoman Sharon Schmeling said that under state statutes and a Jefferson County Emergency Management ordinance, she decided to declare a county state of emergency due to high water levels with moderate flooding of the Rock, Crawfish and Bark Rivers. Also included is Lake Koshkonong. This flooding has affected roadways, agricultural land, businesses and approximately 150 to 200 homes.

“As a result of the many requests the Jefferson County Office of Emergency Management has received for assistance, I find that a disaster exists which requires additional support and resources in the form of individual and public assistance for affected residents and municipalities of Jefferson County to recover from the devastation caused by the flooding,” Schmeling said.

Levels Dropping

Since Friday, the lake level has dropped 2.4 inches.

Today's level = 781.41

Inflow = 7,370 cfs
Outflow = 8,500 cfs

But we are still 62.52 inches ABOVE the DNR summer target level - just over 5 feet to drop before we can start closing gates.

Above Average Rainfall...again

Rainfall so far in April is almost double the average, with 3.16 inches of rain falling since Apr. 1.

The average rainfall in Madison through Apr. 15 is 1.63 inches.

Westsidebenny - Brain Damage

No fishing reports yet. Just my annual plea to all you good old salt of the earth lovers of the land to please, please, please raise the water levels.

Please remember that science has proven that no matter how high the mean level is it doesn't get any higher. This lake is meant to be lake Geneva for crying out loud.

What we really need is some guys with some cajones and a Tennesee Valley Authority kind of attitude to drop the hammer once and for all. We can all fish the "old" Dalmans landing launch, Black Hawk island, Maple beach and many other sweet neighborhood not on a bluff just like our compadres down south. It will be swell
.
By the way the above is sarcastic. The lake is once again out of control and will be for a LONG time. Throw the bums out. If you don't know your past you can't know your future.
Westsidebenny

Westsidebenny,
there you go again spouting and have no idea what you're talking about.

This flood or any other flood on the Rock or Koshkonong has anything to do with the dam or requests for a reasonable water level.

You don't have to believe anyone but of course you're way smarter than the private sector Hydrologists & those from the USGS, NOAA & NWS. You ought to apply for a job with them, and then you can outsmart them all.
Diver

__________________________________

See Previous posts -
HERE
and
HERE and
Especially HERE

Burning the Wetlands

Brian -
What's with all the controlled burning?
Gary P

The Wetlands are burning Again

Wisconsin Fishing by the numbers

1.4 million licensed anglers
21 million annual fishing days
#2 ranked fishing destination
88 million fish caught a year
31 million fish harvested
11 million fingerlings and yearlings stocked a year
70 different fish species, strains and sizes stocked
$2.75 billion economic benefits
$196 million in state tax revenues
30,164 jobs
165 fish species
15,081 lakes
42,000 miles of year-round streams
10,266 miles of trout stream
4,037 miles of class 1 trout streams

Community Underwater

From Madison's NBC TV 15

...Those who live along the beautiful Lake Koshkonong are used to dealing with flooding every few years, but this time around, many residents are more than knee deep in flood water, which is forcing some to evacuate and others to consider leaving if it gets any worse.
____________________________________

At least the media acknowledged that the lake is indeed beautiful!

More Photos from our Dam Operator

Nearly level...



View west, looking towards the powerhouse...

Photos from Our Dam Operator

View from the powerhouse, looking east to Indianford.

We've Crested...For Now

NOAA

Lake Levels Stabilize this Past Week

Started Monday at 781.56, then .60, .63, .62 and today, 781.61 - a swing up of less than an inch.

Now if only the rain keeps missing us!

Rock County added enforcement for Break in Weather

From the Janesville Gazette

This is what the Flood of '59 Looked Like...

River dwellers put a good face on flooding

From the Janesville Gazette

...Cullen said this flood is the worst he can remember since 1959 when there were 22 inches of water in the house. Water has come in three or four times over the years, he said, but he has raised his house on slabs, and that’s helped, he said.
____

The reporters at the Capital Times should read the Janesville Gazette for accurate reporting.

Major flooding on Rock River

From the Madison Capital Times

The early morning water depth reading on the Rock River at Newville was at 11.6 feet, 1.6 feet above flood stage and only .63 feet away from the all-time high water crest of 12.23 feet set on April 25, 1993.
__________________________________________

This claim is just lousy, lazy reporting, "all-time high," is simply factually incorrect.

And they wonder why people in Madison call them the "Crap Times."

Flooding:Next Mark, 1993

Email me with your location of where this photo was taken...

Strong winds forecasted the next two days

With the S & SW winds forecasted the next two days, 20/25 mph sustained and 35/40 mph gusts, N Shore, Blackhawk, & Vinnie Ha Ha could see a water level increase from water push and wave action causing considerable damage to homes, camping trailers, shorelines and unprotected personal property a lot further inward than what people are prepared for.

Flooding: Past the 2004 Mark

Gladys Drive, Newville --

This is why we enforce slow-no wake....

Observations Upstream

Brian;
I took another ride today,

Koshkonong Creek is flowing hard but from Rockdale up it doesn't appear to be super high like it is in Busseyville up to Rockdale.

The Crawfish is high and all of the land around it near Jefferson is still flooded but the Rock above the Jefferson dam appears just a little higher.

Down stream from the Jefferson dam is still very high.

Also there is a lot of water coming down Otters Creek.
James

Predicting Lake Levels - UPDATED

(Originally Posted Tuesday, March 18th -- Lake Level 779.16 (9.16) )

From NOAA

Historical Crests ------- Likelihood of Reaching Level

(1) 12.23 ft on 04/25/1993 ------- 7% (adjusted April 1 to 48%)

(2) 11.49 ft on 06/05/2004 -- (20% adj. Apr 1 to 60%) SURPASSED 4.14.08

(3) 11.02 ft on 06/07/2000 -- (30% adj. Apr1 to 90%) SURPASSED 4.11.08

(4) 10.58 ft on 04/07/2007 ------ 78% (SURPASSED 4.1.2008)

(5) 10.46 ft on 08/30/2007 ------ 81% (SURPASSED 3.29.08)

(6) 9.77 ft on 04/23/1998 -------- 94% (SURPASSED 3.22.08)

(7) 9.73 ft on 04/28/1999 -------- 96% (SURPASSED 3.22.08)

(8) 9.45 ft on 03/23/1990 ------- 98% (SURPASSED 3.20.08)

(9) 9.19 ft on 03/21/1994 ------- 100% (SURPASSED 3.19.08)

(10) 9.02 ft on 03/14/1997 ------ SURPASSED

Lake Level Moves into #2 Spot

781.56 passed the #2 level of 781.49 set in June 2004

The Week Ahead: Horicon

No worries here...

The Week Ahead; Crawfish

Heavy flow coming in to the lake from the Rock River via the Crawfish ; but being a narrow feeder, the level drops quickly...



Allen and Koshkonong creeks are also flooded and flowing strong into the Lake.

Unlikely that the lake will reach 782.00 - and if you scroll down, the NOAA has already adjusted their predictions (again) down.

The Week Ahead: Beaver Dam

From Erich Zellmer in Beaver Dam...

In 2004 the water on Beaver Dam Lake (which flows into BD River which hits the Crawfish) was 40 inches higher than it is now.

The Week Ahead: Watertown

From Erich Zellmer in Beaver Dam...

Also, my parents have lived on the Rock River in Watertown for 35 years and this does not come close to the worst they've had.

The Week Ahead: Bark River

The Bark flows into the Rock to the North of the lake - it has already crested and is dropping.

The Week Ahead: At Newville

Here, NOAA is predicting the Flood will crest Thursday (4-17) at 781.77;
just less than 4 inches more than our lake level today.

Questions Re: Flood Duration

I have been receiving a fair amount of emails and calls asking what the conditions are for rivers that feed into Lake Koshkonong. I will get something posted that should give a better assessment than what the newspapers report.

Flood Photos: Bark River at Rock River (781.25)

Flood Photos: Blackhawk Island (781.25)

Flood Photos: Vet Lane (781.25)

Flood Photos from North Shore (781.25)

Lake Level = 781.44 and Rising

Inflow = 9,220 cfs
Outflow = 9,200 cfs

A dry week is forcast ahead.

Flooding: 2004 Up Next

Rock River Marina, June 2004 -


Anchor Inn June 2004 -

'So far, so good' with flooding issues

From the Janesville Gazette

Flood Observations

Brian;
Took a ride yesterday to check the flooding, Koshkonong Creek looks like a major river and up towards Milford the Crawfish is flooding.

Over towards Watertown the Rock isn't too bad.

The new prediction today isn't good, 12.5 exceeding the flood of 93. I've never seen a major flood come from a creek but from what I saw yesterday Koshkonong Creek looks like the major source of the water followed by the Crawfish.
James

Watertown whipped by wacky weather

From the Watertown Daily Times

...Jefferson County Emergency Management Director Donna Haugom told the Daily Times this morning water on the Rock, Crawfish and Bark rivers are well above flood stage and should crest Wednesday, Thursday or Friday.

“The Fort Atkinson area is probably going to be hardest hit by another foot in rise,” Haugom said, adding Jefferson is already about a foot above flood stage. She noted Lake Koshkonong should go a foot over flood stage and the Crawfish should go 7 inches above flood stage next week.

“There are a lot of roads with water across them and flood warnings continue until further notice,” Haugom said. “This warning should be in effect for another couple of weeks. So if area waters crest by the 18th, I don't anticipate they will come under flood stage until the first weekend in May.”

Haugom said if drivers do not absolutely need to go down a road with water across it, they should not do so. She also said the county's “slow, no wake” ordinance remains in effect.

According to records from Watertown's engineering department, the level of the Rock River in the city was recorded today at 5.6 feet, which is slightly higher than the minor flood stage of 5.5 feet. A moderate flood stage is considered to be 6 feet.

Persons needing assistance from the Red Cross may reach that organization at (920) 674-3055.

Worst flooding may still lie ahead

From the Janesville Gazette

Passed into the #3 Spot

Lake Levels are up by 4.54 inches since April 1, given the rainfall we have experienced lately.

On Tuesday, we had 1.13 inches of rain and yesterday from 8am thru 7am, 1.85 inches for a total of 2.98.

Lake Level = 781.03
Inflow = 8,150 cfs
Outflow = 8,380 cfs

Flooding: Next Mark, 2000

You ask, what did 2000 water levels look like?



River at Ellendale Road, June 2000

Walleye Fishing Update

Was Ted Peck right?

It appears, no...

went out yesterday...a bit blustery on the main river..water temp 51 degrees, caught a single walleye, my guide and i ..also 1 white bass, strong current need to watch and pay attention as a lot of flotsam coming down the river..some large
and hazardous..will try again this week later..when it warms up fish are not
spawning yet.

Captain Ted "Merchant Marine" Peck, Wrong?

He must be in the same club as Gazette columnist D.S. Pledger.

Are We Settling for the #4 Spot?

Lake Level continues to drop = from 780.86 to today, 780.76 = 1.2 inches

1/2 inch rain forecast later today, but it is amounts collected North that impact Koshkonong.

Please, no rain dances, o' spirit of Chief Blackhawk.

Note to the Board

Brian:

Just a note to say thank you for keeping us informed of what could have been severe ice issues this year. My neighbors and I moved our piers and lifts further onshore back in early March after you warned of potential ice damage due to rising waters. I am happy to report that we suffered no ice damage. We all know we can not control the water levels during high water periods, however, without your early warning we would have had serious ice damage. Thank you for a job well done.

Tadd Pole
Pauly Wogg
Steve

It is Official - Ice Out

Monday, April 7th - as the ole bulls of the lake have officially called it.

Ice Nearly Gone from lake

Just took a ride around some of the lake and it looks like the ice should be gone tomorrow, the entire north end is free of ice with the exception of an area along a couple of shorelines.
Jim

Lake Level Drops

Yesterday = 780.86
Today = 780.84


Inflow = 7,180 cfs (4th consecutive day of decrease)

Ouflow = 7,780 cfs



NOAA is now predicting the water levels to start dropping throughout the week at Milford, Fort Atkinson & Watertown.

It usually takes several days before Koshkonong begins to drop and will not decline as rapidly as the rivers till it reaches its natural banks/shoreline.

More police, safety measures planned for annual party

From the Janesville Gazette

...The Break in the Weather Party is centered at the Anchor Inn, but other bars and businesses in Newville also host festivities.

“Safety is our No. 1 issue,” Anchor Inn owner John Kinnett said Friday. “Every year we’ve gone the extra mile to make sure it’s a safe party.”

This year, no one younger than 21 will be allowed to enter the Anchor Inn grounds at any time, Kinnett said.

1979 - Now THAT was a Flood

Indianford is being used because there was no gauging station for the lake.

USGS Comparison for Indianford Water Flow & Max Gage 1979 VS 2008

Gauge Height:

April 5, 1979 = 16.23
April 4, 2008 = 14.78

17.4 inches more in 1979

Discharge at Indianford:

April 5, 1979 = 11,900 cfs
April 4, 2008 = 7,750 cfs



Canal on Binghams Pt.


County Line Road near Stagecoach

Fort Atkinson council OKs riverwalk fishing restriction

From the Daily Jefferson Union;

Downtown Fort Atkinson anglers will have to pack up their tackle boxes and fishing rods and move west if they want to wet a line along the city’s riverwalk.

The Fort Atkinson City Council on Tuesday voted 3-2 in favor of an ordinance that prohibits fishing on the southern banks of the Rock River from the pedestrian bridge east to the American Legion Dugout.

Since it met March 18, the council appeared to be evenly split on the issue, with council member Jim Simdon sitting on the fence. At Tuesday night’s meeting, however, Simdon made up his mind.

“It’s difficult for me to bring myself, as a shore fisherman growing up in Fort Atkinson, to say it’s OK to restrict (fishing) to a certain area,” Simdon said. “But I think with all that’s happened, I think it would be only fair to the other people to give them the spot where they can go and sit and walk and push carriages and all other things without worrying about somebody being in their way.”

The council had debated the proposed ordinance for about a month in the wake of complaints by some people saying they had difficulty using the walkway due to fishing activity.

Earlier in the day, Rock River-Koshkonong Association member Jim Furley Jr., who has acted as an unofficial spokesperson for the anglers, told the Daily Union that the National Organization for Rivers states an area should be open to the public for fishing and other activities up to the ordinary high water mark.

“They’ve studied past U.S. Supreme Court decisions and that is their position,” he said.

Free Sand

Free sandbags and sand will be available at the following staging areas:

For the Town of Fulton, staging is at Finns Tavern located at Hwy. 59 and Newville Road. Sandbags can be picked up at Fulton Town Hall located at 2738 West Fulton Center Drive.

For the Town of Milton the staging is at Mallwood Park, located at the end of the Road Two East in Mallwood.

Comment on Flood Future

Brian;
I find it hard to believe the NWS is forecasting doom & gloom when the major portions of our watershed, is either below flood stage or barely at flood stage.

According to their own USGS gagging stations, the one site (Watertown) is just barely at flood stage is forecasted to decline.

Makes one wonder why they are making predictions like this because according to their own data gages, there is no major flood waters north of Jefferson, Milford or Rome.

Looks more like a regional flood than a normal system wide flood and if rainfall is average the flood duration should be much shorter.

Of course the key word is average rainfall but for them to predict another 19 inches rise at the lake now is premature because nothing at the present time indicates it.

Ron Duckett

Flooding: More to Come

The National Weather Service is predicting nearly a 50% likilhood that the lake will rise at least another 19 inches from today's level.

Flooding: With 3 Benchmarks Yet to Achieve...

The March 18th predictions below have been updated --

(1) 12.23 ft on 04/25/1993 ------- 7% (ADJUSTED TO 48% LIKELY)

(2) 11.49 ft on 06/05/2004 ------ 20% (ADJUSTED TO 60% LIKELY)

(3) 11.02 ft on 06/07/2000 ------ 30% (ADJUSTED TO 90% LIKELY)

Our current Lake Level has surpassed both Sprng and Fall levels of 2007.

From NOAA

March Madness: Koshkonong Version

March 1 Lake Level = 777.71 (17 3/4 inches above DNR summer max order)

Inflow = 2,850 cfs / Outflow = 2,870 cfs

See below for April 1 numbers.

Lake Level = 780.65

51.84 inches above the DNR summer max water level order.

Inflow from Jefferson as measured at the Fort Atkinson gauge = 7,360 cfs
Outflow at the Indianford Dam = 7,280 cfs

Please, no more calls on whether the gates are open at Indianford.

Rain adding to the mess

3/28/08 12:15pm through 4/01/08 7:00am

we received 2.03 inches of rain at the Lake/Newville gage on Bingham Pt.

Major flooding expected along Rock, Crawfish, Sugar and Pecatonica rivers

From the WI State Journal HERE

...The Rock River was above flood stage at 3 p.m. at each river stage location, and major flooding is expected in Newville to nearly 12 feet — above flood stage of 10 feet — by next week. The weather service said once the stage reaches 11.3 feet, knee-deep water floods Blackhawk Road and Lake Koshkonong merges with Mud Lake.