Boats take a hit during the recession

Milw Journal Sentinel

...Wisconsin ranks just behind California and Florida in watercraft sales, with more than 610,000 registered boats.

...Boating is big business in Wisconsin, home to outboard engine makers Mercury Marine Inc., of Fond du Lac, and BRP Inc., of Sturtevant.

Input on riverwalk sought - Wednesday

Jefferson County Daily Union

...Keller said the meeting will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Jefferson City Hall in the Jefferson Common Council chambers. The public is encouraged to attend.

Koshkonong Level Forecast - RISING

NOAA

Rock River about ready to push past banks again

Janesville Gazsette

..All of the Rock River in Rock County is under a slow/no wake restriction, according to the Rock County Sheriff's Office.

Illinois River Islands

Peoria Journal Star

..."We want to do more islands. That's very important. But this is the beginning," Quinn said. "It's good for fish. It's good for boating. It's good for navigation . . . We want to have more like this."

...Altogether, the recommended plan will include dredging about 200 acres within Lower Peoria Lake. It will create deepwater habitats for fish, and construct three islands with a total area of 75 acres.

Lake Koshkonong is for Everyone!

Janesville Gazette

...He’s a regular in the Craig High School bleachers, a member of Cargill United Methodist Church and a familiar face on the Ice Age Trail and Lake Koshkonong.

...He might help his son pack for one of his church mission trips. Or he could be seen on a pontoon boat or waterskiing on Lake Koshkonong.

Lake Levels Jumping

779.28

Up 4.32 inches from yesterday.

DNR disapproves of board's $5,000 Estabrook Dam fix

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

...The county also would ask for a state grant to study the feasibility of converting the dam to generate hydroelectric power, under the board action.

The move was aimed at sidestepping the more politically controversial decision of taking on a more extensive repair job, estimated to cost $12 million, or removing the dam for about $2 million. Environmental groups favor dam removal, while nearby residents, who use the upstream portion of the Milwaukee River for recreation, prefer a fix-up of the 1938 dam.

The board voted 16-3 for spending $5,000 to replace damaged timbers and steel rods on the dam spillway. That should be enough to allow the dam to be closed and the river to fill in the area just upstream in Glendale, said Supervisor Theo Lipscomb.

State regulators, however, disagree.

Islands coming to the Illinois River

Peoria Journal Star

PEORIA — Just in time for Earth Day, some very goopy earth is finally moving on one of the area’s most long-awaited environmental projects.

Overall, 200 acres of muck and silt may be dredged from Lower Peoria Lake to create three islands in the Illinois River. The effort begins with one 21-acre island north of the McClugage Bridge.

“It’s going to take mud and sediment that has built up over the years and turn it into an island,” said Chris McCloud, spokesman for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Gov. Pat Quinn is scheduled to attend a news conference at noon Friday, announcing construction of that $2 .7 million first phase begins in June.

Col. Robert Sinkler will represent The Rock Island District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which collaborated with IDNR on the project. It has been in the planning process for years. Engineering and design work began in January 2004; funding has been assembled from state and federal sources.

“This announcement is a good reminder about the power of persistence,” said Tri-County Regional Planning Commission executive director Terry Kohlbuss. “The problems in the Peoria Lakes have been researched and analyzed for decades. The solutions have been studied, prioritized and designed for years. This project is a milestone, because it is the first big step into constructive restoration.”

According to the Corps, Peoria Lake reflects changes elsewhere along the Illinois River valley. Backwater lakes have lost an average of 70 percent of their volume since the oldest complete survey of the river was done in 1903. Peoria Lake has gone from an estimated maximum of eight feet to one foot to two feet in recent years. This project begins restoration of deep-water fisheries habitat lost to sedimentation.

“It’s going to not only enhance recreational opportunities … it’s also going to increase habitat for wildlife species,” said McCloud. “And it’s going to improve the shipping canal for big barges.”

Officially, this island begins the construction phase of the Illinois River Basin Restoration Program. It involves dredging two channels, then filling three rows of six-foot-high geotextile containers to outline the island. A berm will be built on a 200-foot-long test section.

The work will be done by a local company, Midwest Foundation Corp. of Tremont. It is scheduled to be completed in November.

Depending on funding, a second stage to fill the interior of the island may begin in 2010. Fifteen other critical restoration projects are in various stages of planning and design, according to the Corps, including two at Pekin Lake.

“Many people have worked for a long time to get this far,” Kohlbuss said. “But we still have a long way to go to have an Illinois River that we can enjoy to the fullest.”

Fish stocking begins on Wisconsin's Lake Delton

Chicago Tribune

...Ten months ago, driving thunderstorms blew out a section of Lake Delton's shoreline. The man-made lake rushed through the new ravine to the Wisconsin River, leaving behind a pit of weeds, stumps and mud. Tourists stayed away. Business owners hung their heads and counted their losses.

...The dam held, but the water washed away a sandy portion of shoreline separating the lake from the Wisconsin River. The lake poured through the new 700-foot channel to the river, taking a portion of County Highway A and five shoreline homes with it. Video of the homes cracking apart and plunging into the crevasse was broadcast worldwide.

...State workers spent $5.1 million to build a reinforced dam and lay a new section of highway across the breach. The road opened in December.

Friends of Cam-Rock Park (UW-Ext)

Fishing For a Cure Walleye Fishing Tournament

...to benefit the A-T Childrens Project.

$ 9,000.00 in cash and prizes (based on 100 teams)

Pay out; Top 35 teams 2 man teams 5 fish per boat

Teams of two - $125.00

$25.00 team fee will go to Lake Improvement Programs

Door Prizes; Food, entertainment

Prizes For the Top 2 fundraiser

Saturday June 13th 2009

Where: Anchor Inn

We are also looking for Sponsors

Register online by June 6th or contact Kim Devitt @ 608-295-3093
kadevitt@idcnet.com

http://www.communityatcp.org/Page.aspx?pid=1200

The A-T Children's Project is a non-profit organization that raises funds to support and coordinate first-rate biomedical research projects, scientific conferences and a clinical center aimed at finding a cure or life-improving therapies for ataxia-telangiectasia, a lethal genetic disease that attacks children, causing progressive loss of muscle control, immune system problems, and a strikingly high rate of cancer, especially leukemia and lymphoma

Lake Level Keeps Dropping

NOAA

Severe flood threat recedes

Jefferson County Daily Union

...Meteorologist Bill Borghoff said that because the rivers and Lake Koshkonong are free of ice, the snow has melted away, the ground has thawed and the county has been spared heavy rain in recent weeks, the likelihood of severe flooding has gone down.

...The worst of the flooding in 2008 was in early June, when the state was inundated with several inches of rain on the weekend of June 7-8.

Authorities ready for big Rock County party Saturday

The Capital Times

Rock County deputies will be out in force on Saturday, April 18, for the 33rd annual Break in the Weather party in Newville, where the Rock River meets Lake Koshkonong.

Sheriff Robert Spoden said deputies will be on "saturation patrol" to reinforce the point that drinking and driving don't mix.

"We also will have deputies assigned on foot patrol, conducting youth alcohol compliance checks inside taverns and enforcing liquor sale laws to minors," Spoden said in a news release.

The extra enforcement is not intended to dampen the party, the sheriff said.

"We simply are asking businesses and people attending this event to fulfill their responsibilities in regard to the sale and consumption of alcohol," Spoden said.

"Let's work together as a community to ensure a safe evening."

Boater Safety Class being offered by the Rock River Safety Patrol

In conjunction with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources starting Tue, 4/21.

It will be held at the Milton Town Hall, 23 FIRST ST, Milton WI. Classes start at 6pm.

Please call Tom Kunkel at 608-751-6161 to register.

Please note the new requirement below, and students with special needs must inform the instructor in advance of the course to request special accommodations.

Who is Eligible/Required to Take a ClassWisconsin boating safety certification or out of state equivalent certification is required for operators born on or after January 1, 1989 and at least 16 years of age.

Operators 12 to 15 years of age must either have a certificate or have an adult on board while operating. Anyone is eligible to take the class and receive a safety education completion certificate.

For children under 12 years of age, the certificate does not become valid until the child reaches 12 years of age. (read the boating regulations for full details). Students with special needs must contact the instructor at least two weeks in advance of the course to request special accommodations.

**NEW REQUIREMENT! All Wisconsin Recreational Safety Students are required to obtain a Wisconsin DNR Customer ID Number before the completion of ANY Recreational Safety Class.

Students will be required to provide that DNR Customer ID Number along with their personal information to the Instructor.

You can obtain a DNR Customer ID Number by calling WI DNR Customer Service at 1-888-936-7463 between 7AM and 10 PM daily. Or you can visit a WI DNR Service Center during their regular scheduled hours. For WI DNR Service Center hours and locations go to: www.dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/cs/ServiceCenter. Boat Safety Certification is also available online at: http://www.boat-ed.com/wi/ The online version of this class is not recommended for children under 14 years of age.

House Boat Restaraunt MAKE MONEY ON THE WATER L@@K - $56999

From Craig's List - Look for Board Treasurer Ray Lunder this summer serving brats from this vessel!
_____________________________

Vehicle Description

SPRING IS HERE, BOATING IS NEAR!

If you are looking to make a living on the water, your in business!

This 32' Houseboat is ready to set sail to your favorite party cove where you can make money and still enjoy the lake! Big Al's Dog House has been serving customers on Chain Of Lakes in Antioch, Illinois for over 10 years! This boat business acts as a drive thru on the water and has the right equipment to serve customer after customer no matter how busy you get! Complete with sinks, fryer, freezer, refrigerator, cheese warmer, steam table and more, this boat cruises across the lake at about 10 - 15 mph.

TURN THIS BOAT INTO A MAJOR TOURIST ATTRACTION. If you already own a bar or restaurant on a lake, send this boat out and offer your great food items for sale on the water If you are looking at having the boat shipped, we have a hoist available for loading. The beam is 8.5 feet so it can be hauled down the road on a flat bed semi trailer no problem.

Please feel free to contact me with all questions at 515-230-3675. SERIOUS INQUIRIES ONLY! THIS BOAT MUST BE SOLD! Tom - 515-230-3675. PERFECT FOR A SUMMER MONEY MAKING BUSINESS! OF COURSE YOU COULD SELL ADVERTISING SPACE ON THIS BEAUTY AS WELL!
TOM 515-230-3675

Equipment on boat
1. Portable bathroom (toilet) with 20gal waste tank.
2. 20 gal fresh water tank- with R.V. style water heater
3. 2 stainless steel double sinks
4. 2 stainless steel full pan steam table (electric) NSF
5. Table Top steamer (hot dog warmer) NSF
6. North-land Commercial Fridge (large) NSF
7. Stainless steel char-grill NSF
8. Stainless steel deep fryer(twin basket)NSF
9. 14 cubic ft freezer (chest style)
10. Microwave
11. Custom stainless steel hood system (exhaust hood) captive air with matching rooftop fan motor with adjustable speed control.
12. 2 gas generators- 8hp-Honda 4000 watt- 8hp Yamaha 6500 watt
with custom made hook up cables and connection harness and set of shore cords.
13. 2 flag poles with new American flags.
14. Cooking utensils and related items
15. Cheese warmer for 10# cans
16. 2 wire shelving (plastic coated)
17. 2 types of interior lighting- Florescent -2 banks 5# over head lights
18. Built in roof vent fan with thermostat and speed control and weather hood
19. Painted exterior
20. 2 stabilizer poles to help with anchor also new winch and cable
21. Boat anchor with rope and floating buoy marker.
22. New steering cables
23.2 propane tanks
24. 2 gas tanks
26. 3 sets of freshwater hoses.
27. 3 fire extinguishers
28. Boat fenders (9Bumpers)
29. Air horn built in
30. Life jackets 4-6 people.
31. 2 roof top sign frames (aluminum) with faces.

Additional Equipment
1 3 -14 cubic-ft. chest freezers
2. 1large Commercial frig NSF
3. Storage containers with dry stock, napkins, paper bags, wrapping paper, ketchup, mustard bottles, straws etc.

Crawfish into Rock

Crawfish, THEN...



Crawfish NOW...

Forecast - Below Flood Stage in 1 Week

NOAA

Below 781!!

Brian - the lake appears to be finally dropping. How much since the first of the month?
Thanks for giving us out of staters a source of info for our cabin.
Art

________________________________________

Art,
781.3 - 780.9 = .4 x 12 = 4.8 inch drop
And if you have not already done so, I encourage you all to sign-up for the RKLD e-newsletter.
Brian

2008 Flood Video is Now Posted

Rising Trouble - at top of News Page....
From WI Public TV.

2008 Water Resource Report

HERE

2006 & 2007 Financial Statements

Meeting Page

The links have been repaired and can be found at bottom of meeting page

Now Posted on Scientific Page

Lake Koshkonong Lake and Wetland Survey

Monthly Dam logs posted

Jan, Feb, and March dam logs posted on Indianford page, at bottom.

Koshkonong Crests - For Now

Wed = 781.3 ------------ inflow = 7,880 / outflow = 8,350
Thurs = 781.31 --------- inflow = 7,700 / outflow = 8.660
Fri = 781.29 ----------- inflow = 7,620 / outflow = 8,660
Today = 781.22 --------- inflow = 7,450 / outflow = 8,460

Museum solves 'Mysteries of Mounds'

Jefferson County Daily Union

Visitors to Fort Atkinson's Hoard Historical Museum will become acquainted with the truly original settlers of Jefferson County when "Mysteries of the Mounds" opens to the public this Saturday.

The new permanent exhibit is designed to provide information on the early settlements around Lake Koshkonong, the one-of-a-kind panther intaglio in Fort Atkinson, and Aztalan State Park, as well as the location of the many effigy mounds throughout the area.

Fed up with the DNR? You are not alone, so pass it on

Worth reading...
Lakeland Times

...As bad as the story is, it didn't end there. Over in nearby Newbold, when a bike club needed to fill the same amount of the same kind of wetland to connect a bike trail, the club secured DNR approval without so much as a hiccup.

Guess who was president of the bike club? Yup, Jim Grafelman.

New Dam Inspection Provisions Likely to Be Passed

Brian -

There is a provision of the Budget Bill (AB-75) that I want to call to your attention because it would affect RKLD and the Indianford Dam.

The bill includes an initiative relating to dam inspection. The provisions formally establish a classification system for dams.

Under that system and current law, Indianford is classified as a large, but low hazard dam. If the budget provision were adopted as proposed by the Governor, the District (as owner of a large, low hazard dam) would be required to hire a professional engineer to inspect the dam every 10 years and to submit a report to DNR within 90 days after the inspection. The provisions detail the report elements whichinclude recommendations to remedy any deficiencies discovered in the inspection. (See §§ 707 thru 721 of the bill, and the bill analysis)

Best wishes.
Bill

Rivers holding steady

Jefferson County Daily Union

Forecast is steady lake level

NO WAKE — Rainshowers forecast this week for Jefferson County are not anticipated to raise the levels of area rivers, meteorologists at the National Weather Service office in Sullivan say. Flood warnings remain in effect for the Crawfish River at Milford and the Rock River from Jefferson into Lake Koshkonong and Rock County. Area residents have kept a cautious eye on the waterways, wary after last year’s record-setting flood. Some roads have closed as a result of the high water, that remains several feel below last year’s record highs. Show above is a north-facing view down Willow Road on the north shore of Lake Koshkonong. In the foreground, a boat gas tank floats among other debris littering the road. — Photo by Jim Furley.

Flood Graph Holding Steady

NOAA