steady rain raises lake level

lake level = 776.26 = above DNR Summer target.....

all gates are 100% open

Letter to the Gazette Editor

David Krier: Rein in the DNR beast

WI State Journal

Krier is editor of the Boscobel Dial in Boscobel

Winter Draw Down Is Here

According to WDNR operating orders....

D. Subject to the provisions of 1.E., 1.F. and 1.G., the dam owner shall attempt to maintain the lake level as close to 776.20 feet, MSL, as possible, except after October 15 when the transition to the November 1 through April 30 lake level occurs.

ALL GATES OPEN

To comply with the DNR winter drawdown orders, all 6 slide gates, and now, both wicket gates, are fully open.

Depending on rainfall, expect to see a steady drop in the lake level.

Today = 776.14

Just below the DNR summer target level.

Janesville Gazette Editorial 10.11.09

City has coolest start to October in 22 years

Chicago Tribune

Not since 1987 have the opening 13 days of October been this chilly. The month is running more than 9 degrees below long-term average and 7 degrees cooler than the same period last year.

It's a temperature trend that suggests home heating here is running at a pace 70 percent above the 30-year average and 80 percent ahead of last October.

The mercury struggled to hit 48 degrees Monday -- a far cry from the summerlike 84 recorded a year earlier -- becoming the third consecutive day Chicago's high temperature failed to get out of the 40s.

In only four years have three back-to-back daytime 40s occurred by now -- and a fourth day in the 40s Tuesday would become an early-season first, having never occurred in official weather observations kept here since 1871.

How best to improve Lake Koshkonong

Janesville Gazette

While driving a boat full of media, state officials and DNR staffers through wind, rain and fog Tuesday on Lake Koshkonong, Brian Christianson recalled a line from a memorable "Seinfeld" scene:

"The sea was angry that day, my friends."

Indeed, it was. Perhaps fittingly so. Because how to improve the lake has created a storm of controversy and litigation in recent years.

That litigation awaits an appellate court decision. Christianson, chairman of the Rock Koshkonong Lake District, wants to look beyond that ruling and map out a comprehensive improvement plan for the lake.

Can all parties get onboard with his ideas? That will be the subject of the Gazette's editorial on Sunday.

Greg Peck
____________________________________________________

Be sure to click the link and read the posts  -

Dredging study slated for Lake Koshkonong

Milton Courier

..."Fortunately, we have some very reasonable, very level-headed people who care about Lake Koshkonong and care about tourism in the area, care about the ecosystem, and had it not been for Jorgensen, Sheridan and Governor Doyle, we wouldn't have seen this appropriation.

"So we've got $200,000 to go in there and really determine 'Is this viable for Lake Koshkonong?'"

...The "U.S.S. Christianson" pushed through the haze from Newville and eventually reached a shallow marsh near Carcajou Point on the lake's north side. There, a small break wall has been built to protect the marsh as a pilot project. Montgomery said the secured funding could pay for more such projects, and building islands should be even more effective for maintaining marshes because they will block wind. He noted that similar projects have been done on a larger scale by the corps on Lake Winnebago. With DNR approval, experimental dredging could begin as early as next summer.

Soggy weather doesn't dampen plans for Lake Koshkonong

Janesville Gazette

...The plans impressed Rep. Mike Sheridan, D-Janesville, and Rep. Andy Jorgensen, D-Fort Atkinson, who proposed the funding for the lake study.

"(The lake) is a great resource for this area, and we want to make sure we take care of it," Sheridan said.

State officials take boat tour of Lake Koshkonong

Jefferson County Daily Union

...State Assembly Speaker Mike Sheridan, D-Janesville, and state Rep. Andy Jorgensen, D-Fort Atkinson, joined area reporters and conservation officials on the rough water for an overview of shoreline wetlands, a breakwall, and a plan to explore the possibility of dredging portions of the lake and creating man-made islands.

Projects Could Increase Activities At Lake Koshkonong

WISC TV-3

DNR Secretary urged to tour Lake Koshkonong

Janesville Gazette

ROCK COUNTY — The Rock-Koshkonong Lake District appears to be moving into a new, friendlier relationship with the Department of Natural Resources, despite a pending court case.

The District is seeking to raise the water level on the lake, while the D.N.R. opposes it. But spokesman for Lake District, Brian Christianson, says a recent meeting with D.N.R. Secretary, Matt Frank, went very well.

Christianson says he told Frank all about some proposed improvements they want to make to the lake and Frank was impressed. Christianson says Frank actually told him that the state would like to "partner" with the District on the projects.

Some of the proposed projects include some dredging, creating islands for bird sanctuaries, wind break walls, and shoreline erosion abatement. The projects will be funded with a recent Federal Grant and matching state funds totaling around $200,000.

Christianson says he's invited Sec. Frank, Assembly Speaker, Mike Sheridan, representatives of the Army Corps of Engineers, and others, on a boat tour of the lake Tuesday, October 6th.

The trip will be made on the USS Christianson Flying Pontoon.

WFAW 940 AM

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST

WCLO: Lake Koshkonong projects proposed

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST

Rain runoff delaying Centerway Dam project

Janesville Gazette

JANESVILLE — Last summer, heavy rain caused flooding that damaged the Centerway Dam.

This September, heavy rain has delayed the repair of the dam.

"Mother Nature is in charge of this one," said Rory Alsberg, construction manager at North American Hydro, owner of the dam.

More than 3 inches of rain have fallen since the company started drawing down the Rock River on Sept. 20. It was supposed to take about a week for the Rock River to drop 3.5 feet, but nine days later, it had only gone down half that amount, Alsberg said.

Workers were able to remove damaged wooden boards Tuesday, but they need the river lower to install the new boards. Once the river is low enough, it will take about three days to put the new boards in, Alsberg said. It will then take about a week—assuming typical weather—for river levels to go back to normal.

The Department of Natural Resources told Alsberg the river is on its way down, he said.

That's good news, because the work has to be done by Oct. 15, when Lake Koshkonong starts its winter drawdown period.

The lake's drawdown will push additional water into the river, helping it reach its normal level, Alsberg said.

Fall is fine for fishin'

Janesville Gazette

...It was a brisk morning in the headwaters above Lake Koshkonong. Fog slowly lifted, revealing leaves turning colors and a blue heron perched near the bank.