Are the Gates Open??

Brian
I'm a land owner on the lake.

I live by charleys bluff.Ive put my pier and boat in three times and I've had to take them back out.I haven't been able to use the lake at all this year.

They have shut the gates on the power house.and i don't why.I suppose its so they can water ski down in Janesville.

If that's the case Janesville should pay and take over the dam and its responsibility.I don't think the land owners should be charged for something they have no control of.
Keith Ruud
______________________________
Keith -
The gates are NOT closed and they have NOT been closed for nearly 2 years.

Even though the RKLD owns the Dam, we must comply with DNR orders and file a report with DNR DAILY that includes inflow and outflow and gate operations. The fines RKLD would incur for violating DNR orders by closing gates would be huge.

Whoever told you gates were closed is simply dead wrong.
As far as lake levels, direct your complaints to Mother Nature.
The spillway at the Dam is at a lower elevation than the elevation of the lake - which means, the ONLY time the Dam is holding back water in the lake is when the lake is at extreme LOW level.

Right now, the Dam is acting as though it is not even there - the river is flowing free over the top of the spillway and through open gates.
I trust now that you understand that RKLD and the Dam has no impact on high/flood water - you will pass on these facts.

Thanks for your email
Brian Christianson

Lake district deserves applause for decisive vote

From the Janesville Gazette

OUR VIEWS

Choppy seas roll across shallow lakes when winds blow. The waves erode shorelines.

That’s the case on Lake Koshkonong. The lake, which you can see to your east as you cross the Interstate 90/39 bridge over the Rock River at Newville, is a massive flowage created by a downstream dam. It’s one of Wisconsin’s largest lakes, but its average depth is only between 5 and 8 feet.

State and federal officials are studying the lake to determine the viability of a proposal that could solve two problems. Dredging would add depth to parts of the lake, while the material dug out could create islands that would ease erosion.

That takes money, of course. We appreciate the decisive step forward that Rock-Koshkonong Lake District property owners took Saturday when they voted unanimously at their annual meeting to boost by $15 each parcel’s special project fee. The money will help cover the study’s expected $40,000 shortfall.

For years, interest groups have sparred over the value of winter drawdowns. Boaters and anglers want more water, particularly those who’ve seen mudflats emerge around piers where water once stood. Duck hunters and others argue that raising the lake’s level will hurt wetland ecology.

All parties, however, seemingly see eye to eye on the value of dredging.

“We have widespread agreement that if we do nothing at all, then the lake will continue to degenerate over the next 20 years,” district Chairman Brian Christianson said in a news release Monday. “We will see more shoreline erosion, more sedimentation, more invasive species and more rough fish infestation.”

The $15 extra paid by each property owner will cover preliminary engineering costs that haven’t already been funded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the state Department of Natural Resources.

The study was supposed to be done by October but now likely won’t be finished until year’s end, Christianson said. The entire study was expected to cost $400,000 and use various funding sources, but budget squeezes including DNR staffing and service cutbacks are causing the shortfall.

“We didn’t want to shut the engineering projects down and try to restart it in the spring,” Christianson told the Gazette. “We asked our taxpayers if we want to see this thing all the way through to the end…”

Unanimity on the fee increase was the result.

The dredging itself could cost between $4 million and $6 million. Funding is uncertain, but Christianson hopes district taxpayers agree to invest money into a pool that also could include state and federal dollars.

Even experimental dredging to create a test island can’t happen until the study is finished.

District residents obviously envision the improved recreational opportunities and property values that dredging could provide.

Whether they’ll so easily swallow the price tag for that is unknown. We applaud, however, their united willingness to absorb the study’s funding shortfall.

Landowners to help fund dredge study

From the Janesville Gazette

NEWVILLE — Lake Koshkonong landowners will pay $15 more per year to help cover a projected $40,000 shortfall for a study of dredging and building islands in the lake, Rock-Koshkonong Lake District officials said.

Lake district residents voted unanimously in favor of the fee hike during the district’s annual meeting Saturday. It will increase from $35 to $50 the special project charge attached to district residents’ annual tax assessment.

The increase is intended to push forward a $400,000 study by the lake district, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. It’s part of a planning phase for an estimated $4 million to $6 plan to dredge and build islands for erosion control along key shoreline areas at Lake Koshkonong, officials said.

Did lake district make right move?

Why is Geneva Lake always mentioned, always the example, whenever options to improve Lake Koshkonong are explored?

No one, not the Army Corp., not the WDNR, certainly not the RKLD, is advancing the notion that Koshkonong can be transformed into the uber-rich zip code locale that is the city of Lake Geneva, the village of Fontana or the village of Williams Bay.

Koshkonong is Everyman's Paradise, where it is still relatively affordable to raise a family on her shoreline - to teach the kids to get-up on skiis or landing that first walleye.

And while Koshkonong will NEVER have the depth that Geneva Lake has, for those who have tried to boat on that body of water, even during her busiest, best blue-sky day, Koshkonong is never as conjested as Geneva.

________________________

By GREG PECK
Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Lake Koshkonong, which is north of Janesville, will never be Geneva Lake, about 25 miles to the southeast in Walworth County. Boats large and small clog Geneva, which was created during our last glacial period 10,000 years ago. Geneva spans 8.2 square miles. Its depth averages 63 feet.

Koshkonong is twice as large, but it was created by the downstream Rock River dam. Like the river, it lacks water clarity. Its average depth is just 5 to 8 feet.

That shallow depth naturally brings big waves during stormy weather that can trigger shoreline erosion. State and federal officials are studying Koshkonong to determine the viability of a proposal that could solve two problems. Dredging would add depth to parts of the lake, while the material could be used to create islands that would ease shore erosion.

Funding for the $400,000 study is falling short because of budget squeezes, however. Last weekend, property owners attending the Rock-Koshkonong Lake District’s annual meeting agreed unanimously to boost the per parcel special projects fee by $15 to make up that shortfall.

Was that the smart move?

We’ll share our perspective in Thursday’s Gazette editorial.

Greg Peck can be reached at (608) 755-8278 or gpeck@gazettextra.com

Note from the RRSP on Patrolling

I was unable to attend the RKLD Annual meeting at the Fort Atkinson High School on July 24th.

First a little background information about the RRSP. We are a small part time municipal patrol that is based on the Rock River in Fulton Township. We have the funding to patrol 2 or 3 days a week and we mostly patrol on weekends. It’s on weekends when most of the summer boating activity occurs. Our Patrol has the responsibility to patrol the Rock River from Indian Fords to Fort Atkinson and all of Lake Koshkonong. This area is roughly 20 miles of river system and 10,800 acres of lake. We have 3 Counties and 5 Townships that are in our jurisdiction.

The RRSP’s mission is to promote boating safety by educating the boating public and enforcing boating laws. When we stop a boat we do a boat inspection, answer the boaters question and provide them with boating regulations. Sometimes we find it necessary to issue written warnings and in the more egregious violations we issue boating citations. This is all done with the primary focus on promoting boating safety.

It is my policy that the Patrol circumnavigates the lake and river on each of its patrol days. This includes patrolling the river at Blackhawk Island.

With only a few exceptions we patrol the river by Blackhawk Island every day we our out on patrol. The RRSP has in fact written a number of citations from Blackhawk Island to Patten’s Marina.

With the dedicated efforts of our officers the Rock River and Lake Koshkonong are safer now for the boating public than they have been in the 30 years that I have patrolled these waters.

Captain Henry Sautin
Rock River Safety Patrol

Questions on Late Arrival of Newsletters

Several electors received the newsletters late – and I am not sure why that is the case.

The past 2 -3 years we have mailed the newsletters first class, rather than bulk mail. It is more expensive but it guarantees earlier delivery and also provides for our newsletters to be forwarded to those who may have moved during the course of the year.

Another problem we have is how we receive the address files from the counties. Each county maintains their property tax listing differently. For example, one county combines first and last names in the same field, while another county may separate names in 2 separate fields of columns. The same is true for the address fields. We do our best to try to place all three counties’ formats in the same uniform format, but to date we have not perfected it.

That we why we ask electors to join the mailing list of our e-newsletter, which is sent multiple times throughout the year, and to visit the website frequently.

We also publish and post the meeting notices in local newspapers and government offices but we recognize that out of state seasonal property owners may not see those notices.

Jefferson County deals with springlike rains

From the Watertown Daily Times

...“The Crawfish and Rock above us are doing OK and are just at flood stage but they're able to absorb the water,” she said. “We're going to probably be OK, it will just take awhile for the water to go down.”

Some of the worst flooded areas can be found in the Fort Atkinson area where several roads such as the Bark River Road and Rock River Road are closed from high waters. Flooding is also happening around the shores of Lake Koshkonong and where the Rock River comes into Fort Atkinson.

...“The water level is very unusual for this time of year,” Freitag said. “When you get to the first of August the river is usually at a level of 4 feet. Now it is around a level of 11 feet. We're potentially one major storm away. It's an unnerving feature. Typically we don't see this and we may live with that for some time before the water goes down.”

Threat of flooding recedes

From the Janesville Gazette

...Floodwaters could impact homes and boat docks in the Blackhawk Island area of Lake Koshkonong.

It's Been a Wet Decade

More from Watertown on Dredging Koshkonong...

From the Watertown Daily Times...
KOSHKONONG EXPERIMENT
One of Wisconsin's largest lakes lies just a bit more than a half hour south of Watertown. The lake, of course, is Lake Koshkonong, the vast majority of which is located within Jefferson County, but the dam which actually makes the lake is located at Newville in Rock County. A small portion of the lake is also located in Dane County.

Lake Koshkonong is the eighth largest lake in Wisconsin with 10,460 acres of surface water. It's essentially a very wide spot in the Rock River backed up by the dam at Newville.

Lake Koshkonong is mentioned often in early Jefferson County history reports. This was where many Indian tribes were located when white men first came to this fertile area. It's also where many Indian wars were fought, including the famous Blackhawk War.

Over the years it has been a popular spot for fishing, in both summer and winter, boating, water skiing, snowmobiling and almost any other kind of outdoor activity.

It's also been in the news many times because of the flooding that can easily occur along its banks when there's an extremely wet season. In fact, we have no doubt all the rains we've been receiving in recent days are swelling the river to flood stage or very near to it.

In recent years many homes along Blackhawk Island Road, which leads down to the mouth of Lake Koshkonong, have been purchased by the federal government in an effort to get people away from this area of perpetual flooding.

The huge lake has also been in the news over the years as property owners on the lake seek ways to improve water quality, depth of the lake to improve outdoor activities and to help improve the shoreline.

We can remember some years back when the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources proposed dredging much of the lake to give it greater depth and improve the quality of the lake all around. That plan went nowhere at the time, but now a version of that concept seems to be getting another look.

Janesville Gazette Reporter Frank Schultz (no relation to this writer) wrote an interesting article on the concept in recent days and with the lake so close to Watertown, we thought a little information on the proposed project might be worthwhile here.

The plan under consideration would be to dredge the lake so it's 2 feet deeper than it presently is. That would take out about 34 million cubic yards of sediment. That sediment would be used to form a number of islands in the lake. The islands could be high enough to be visible all year, or be just high enough that they would be submerged during high water events.

The islands would help protect the shoreline from erosion and high winds that can sweep across that huge, open expanse.

As one might imagine, the kicker here is the cost. The DNR has estimated it will cost $5 to $10 a yard to dredge and form the islands. That comes out to $170 million to $340 million.

That cost is enough to stop any idea in its tracks, especially when DNR representatives told over 200 people at a meeting last week that the cost would be the responsibility of the property owners along the lakefront. But, they assured people there are potential grants from foundations, endowments, environmental organizations and government agencies that could dramatically reduce the cost to the property owners.

One of the biggest concerns other than the price is how long the sediment would remain on the shorelines and the islands. Erosion can be minimized by strategically locating the island, residents were told.

Dredging of this lake certainly would enhance the quality of life for the entire area. It's just a matter of figuring out how to pay for it and how to make the project last for decades. It would certainly be another boost for tourism in our area and that's always a good thing.

The DNR is suggesting a small experimental project be done as early as this fall. That could give some insight as to how it would work and what the results would look like. The DNR is pushing for the experimental project and that leads us to believe it will be a reality.

As for the massive project, it can't move ahead without a vote of the members of the Rock-Koshkonong Lake District. Another public meeting will be scheduled later this year and that would be followed by a lake management plan which could be completed by Christmas.

A vote by the lake district could not come before next year.

Based on all this information, we believe it has a reasonable chance of succeeding.

TLS

Lake Koshkonong Level

Lake level = 780.36

Inflow -
Yesterday = 8,520 cfs
Today = 8,720 cfs

Koshkonong to Crest Tues/Wed

What's Happening Upstream II

What's Happening Upstream I

Severe storms swamp county

Jefferson County Daily Union

...Downstream at Newville on Lake Koshkonong, water levels were recorded at 8.97 feet and rapidly climbing. At 10 feet, water spreads into low-lying areas around Lake Koshkonong. Projections are for the lake to rise above flood stage after Monday.

Portions of Rock River nearing flood stage

The National Weather Service is predicting that the Rock River is nearing flood stage in several Rock County communities.


According to hydrological reports, the Afton portion of Rock River is expected to rise to its flood stage of nine feet by early Saturday morning and cause significant flooding in Afton and Janesville area by the middle of next week.

Flood forecasts for the Newville area of Rock River, near Lake Koshkonong, are slightly better. Flood stage won't be reached until early Sunday morning, with minor flooding later in the week.

Rock County Emergency Management is currently offering the townships of Milton, Fulton, Rock and Janesville extra sandbags to prepare for flooding

Koshkonong Annual Meeting Tomorrow - Saturday 9am

RKLD Board of Commissioners Election Tomorrow

On the ballot -

Ray Lunder, Treasurer

Ed Sandner, Secretary

No one has emailed to submit their name for consideration, however, we will be accepting nominations from the floor tomorrow.
__________________________

View Larger Map

Who Can Vote in RKLD Elections?

Who Can Vote in RKLD Elections?


All district resident electors who are U.S. citizens, 18 years of age or older.

This includes resident property owners, renters, children 18 years and older whose residence is in the District…

But not campers to the extent their permanent residence is not within the District.


Ownership of more than one parcel does not entitle a property owner to more than one vote. One eligible voter = one vote.

Non-resident property owners

This includes a person whose name appears on the tax roll, as well as a person who owns title to property even though the person’s name doesn’t appear on the tax roll.

However, it is up to the would-be voter to produce evidence to the District that they are an owner of property or designated representative of an organizational property owner…

i.e. trust, foundation, corporation or other organization

…such as a letter on organization letterhead that clearly authorizes that person to vote on behalf of the organization.

Summary

• No absentee ballots or proxies

• Resident property owners (both husband & wife, if joint tenants)

• Non-resident property owners (husband and wife, if joint tenants)

• Corporations, government bodies and other organizations, i.e., clubs

o (treated as single owner, with single vote of authorized representative)

• Renters, age 18 and older, residing within District

• Children, age 18 and older residing within District

Top Ten Rain Amounts

Tornado teams to investigate touchdown reports; more storms expected

WI STATE JOURNAL

...Meteorologist Chris Kuhlman in the Sullivan office said the three possible touchdowns include one two miles northeast of Dane at 4 p.m., one five miles north of Madison around 4:45 p.m., and another three miles northwest of Edgerton at 5:30 p.m.


...Flash flooding hit Janesville about 9:30 a.m. There was standing water at most of its intersections, according to Janesville police, who at midday reported about six stalled vehicles in the city — and one car beginning to float down Ruger Avenue on Janesville’s east side. The water began to recede by 10:15 a.m.

Series of thunderstorms lash area with rains

Janesville Gazette

...Reports came from the area between Whitewater and Edgerton and from Whitewater into the Jefferson County area along the county line, she said.

Other reports came from the area north of Milton along Highway 59 and County N, Sears said.

Lake Koshkonong = Batton Down the Hatches - Again

NOAA WEBSITE

SLOW NO WAKE In Effect on Rock River

Memo

To: Sheriff Bob Spoden, Rock County Sheriff’s Dept.
CC: Ed Marshall, Town of Janesville, Tom Presny, Parks Director, City of Janesville, Rock County Parks Director
From: Evan Sayre, Town of Fulton Chairman
Date: July 22, 2010
Re: Slow No Wake

Due to the recent rains we are experiencing high water on the Rock River in our Township. Therefore, I am requesting that the slow, no wake ordinance be placed in effect as of Thursday, July 22th, 2010 until further notice and all landings posted.

If you have any questions, feel free to call the Town Office at 608-868-4103.

Thank you for your assistance in this matter.

WIll the towns return SNW??!?!?

SNW Removed

Ftom the Town of Fulton website...

Town of Fulton, Rock County, Wisconsin : Notices

July 16, 2010 Lift of Slow No Wake

Effective July 16, 2010 at 7 AM we request the Slow No Wake be lifted in the Towns of Fulton and Milton.

Thanks in Advance

Chief Kunkel for Evan Sayre - Town of Fulton
Bryan Meyer - Town of Milton

_____________________________________

Adding to the confusion, calls were made from the Fulton  Town Hall yesterday, THursday, saying the SLOW NO WAKE had been removed as of 1pm. 

Remember, the towns have NO authority to apply and remove a SLOW NO WAKE order.

And just today, SNW bouys remained from Newville to the mouth of the lajke - half the boats obeyed the SNW bouys, half the boats, presumably knowing the order had been removed yesterday, blew past the bouys and on upstream to the lake.

Even now, there has been no mention of the SNR order being removed in ANY local media.

2009 Letter to Rock County Sheriff that was ignored...

JUNE 10, 2009

Dear Sheriff Spoden;


The notice from the town chairman of Fulton to retain the SLOW NO WAKE (SNW) order for the Rock River - from Lake Koshkonong to the Indianford Dam – until June 12 is a perfect example of the arbitrary and baseless process the town chair has invoked in guiding the county’s posting and removal of SNW orders.

The inconsistent action by the town chair has caused confusion, hostility and limited business and recreational activity at a time when the lake/river level poses no threat to safety or property.

Friday’s (June 5) water level was 778.09 with inflow from the Jefferson Dam having dropped for 4 consecutive days. Saturday’s (June 6) edition of the Janesville Gazette reported that the Rock County Sheriff’s Department had removed the SNW order for the Rock River segment in Fulton Township “below the Indianford Dam” only.

Defining the river located in Fulton Township as SNW restricted and another segment as open and unrestricted only served to invite operation at full speed on both segments of the river. Reasonable people assumed when the river was back below the Ordinary High Water Mark (OHWM), as it was June 5, navigation restrictions were removed entirely and expeditiously.

The lake/river level was dropping by 2+ inches per day leading-up to this past Friday. Even with this weekend’s modest rainfall, levels continued to drop another 3 inches. Inflow from Jefferson that feeds Lake Koshkonong and the Rock River downstream also continued its downward trend. Subsequently, there is/was no justification to continue wake restrictions above the Indianford Dam.

The Rock-Koshkonong Lake District is mandated to file daily reports with the WDNR indicating inflow, outflow, water level and gate positions 7 days a week 365 days a year. We also post the same log reports on the RKLD website for public consumption. In comparison, Fulton Township has no such data monitoring requirements and has no ordinance defining the parameters when SNW should be applied or removed.

Furthermore, today’s (June 8) lake level is 777.66 and dropping. The shoreline is well below the OHWM and less than 8 inches above the level where RKLD has requested a DNR adjustment to their operating orders. Consequently, a lengthy, meritless period of SNW (June 12) adversely impacts the Public Trust Doctrine and the public’s right to recreation.

The RKLD respectfully requests that the Rock County Sheriff’s Department, charged with posting and enforcing SNW orders on Rock County navigable waters, consider immediate removal of the SNW order on the Rock River, above the Indianford Dam, located in the town of Fulton.

In addition, the RKLD offers to consult with Fulton Township prior to their consultation with Rock County, whenever conditions warrant issuing or removing SNW orders.

Brian Christianson
chairman, RKLD
608-884-9444

More Complaints about the Slow No Wake

Brian,

Any response to your plea to the Fulton town board on Tuesday? Will there be no-wake for the fireworks this weekend or not?

In addition to being opaque about the process of setting and lifting no-wake restrictions, the decisions to do so are not clearly communicated, except by taking a trip to the boat launch to see if a sign is posted. It need not be so. The town of Fulton has a web site with a Notices page. If only they would use it consistently.

In 2010, there are 2 notices for Slow No Wake: one from June 24th and one from March 13th. Both of these notices contain full articles from the Janesville Gazette regarding the posting of No Wake. They do not contain an official proclamation attributed directly to a government entity. And there is no notice of the lifting of a No Wake restriction.

In 2009, there are no notices on the Fulton town web site regarding no-wake.

But an excellent example of how to make a public notice exists right there on the Town of Fulton Notices site. On March 10, 2010 they posted a notice limiting the weight on the town roads. Then on March 22 they posted a notice lifting the weight restriction. Both notices are short and to the point, and attribute the rule directly to the entity that enacted it. Most importantly, both the beginning and the end of the temporary restriction are posted.

Can the RKLD convince the Town of Fulton to post their No-Wake decisions as clearly and conveniently as they did their road weight restriction? This would be a small step in the right direction.

Ken Brey

UPDATE:

Brian,

My previous email indicated that both of the No-Wake notices contained newspaper articles. That is incorrect. The more recent one is actually quite good. So if you want to post my letter, please post this version:

In addition to being opaque about the process of setting and lifting no-wake restrictions, the decisions to do so are not clearly communicated, except by taking a trip to the boat launch to see if a sign is posted. It need not be so. The town of Fulton has a web site with a Notices page. If only they would use it consistently.

In 2010, there are 2 notices for Slow No Wake: one from June 24th and one from March 13th. There is no notice of lifting of a No Wake restriction.

In 2009, there are no notices on the Fulton town web site regarding no-wake.

But an excellent example of how to make a public notice exists right there on the Town of Fulton Notices site. On March 10, 2010 they posted a notice limiting the weight on the town roads. Then on March 22 they posted a notice lifting the weight restriction. Both notices are short and to the point, and attribute the rule directly to the entity that enacted it. Most importantly, both the beginning and the end of the temporary restriction are posted.

Can the RKLD convince the Town of Fulton to post their No-Wake decisions as clearly and conveniently as they did their road weight restriction? This would be a small step in the right direction.

Koshkonong Fireworks Set for Saturday, July 10th

The fireworks show on Lake Koshkonong will be Saturday night, July 10th (rain date: 11th)- presented by the Lake Koshkonong Recreation Association (LKRA).

Be sure to practice safe boating, particularly before, during and post fireworks. It is a night that customarily brings law enforcement from Jefferson County, Rock County, the DNR and the Rock River Safety Patrol on to the water, and boat traffic is heavy (as are the lake flies).

Good thing to check your boat to be sure all safety equipment is in good working order including night-navigational lights, PFD's, throwable...

Thunderstorms unload deluge, power failures to region

From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Other rain amounts reported included 2.6 inches near Watertown in Jefferson County

ACOE Core Sampling Complete

Hi George --

Were you able to get the sampling completed last week? How did it go?

Rob Montgomery

____________________

Steve,

George Millar and I collected sediment samples on 1 Jul 10 at the 5 locations shown in the attached file. The lake was high (779.18') and sediment samples representative of potential dredge cuts were taken to 772' and an additional sample was collected from 772' to 771' at each site. Grain size analyses will be performed on all 10 samples, while chemical analyses will be performed on the six samples collected from sites 1, 2 and 3. An initial attempt was made to use a 48" core sampler to collect the samples; however, problems were encountered with part of the sample being "sucked" out of the sampling tube. We switched to a stainless steel hand auger and that worked fine.

In general, there was little variability between the sites. Typically the upper layer consisted of fine sand with silt/clay and varying amounts of organic matter (peat), while the lower 1' layer contained greater amounts of peat. Site 3 was different than the others in that the predominantly peat layer was at a higher elevation. We originally collected samples for chemical analysis at site 4, but when we saw that the profile at site 3 was somewhat different than the other four sites, we decided to switch the chemical analysis to site 3.

The samples were shipped to Pace Labs in Green Bay for chemical analysis and the results should be available in two weeks. Grain size analyses will be performed in-house. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks,
David P. Bierl
Hydrologist
U.S. Army Engineer District, Rock Island Water Quality and Sedimentation Section

Email Regarding Slow/No Wake Orders

Last Wednesday, and again this afternoon, I talked to Pat Hagan at Fin's. Pat, John Kinnett, and maybe one or two others are planning to show up for Public Participation at tomorrow evening's Fulton Town Board meeting, and ask to have Slow No Wake lifted this Friday

July 4th weekernd was a bummer, and the Newville economy will suffer every weekend that the SNW remains in effect. Jefferson County has taken their SNW off; Rock Aqua Jays got a special dispensation.

Why is Milton and Fulton still holding out for the river to drop to 777 feet? The river already is below the Action Stage; it's already lower than it was when the SNW was put on; and by Friday noon, will be within a foot of the target high water mark (776.8?).

NAME WITHHELD

_________________________

The RKLD has communicated with the town boards and with the sheriff's office directly regarding their process for placing and removing the Slow/No Wake orders on the river.

They don't seem to understand the behavior of the lake, river and Dam - and they are wildly inconsistent.

We will explore more ways to "help" the county and local towns make more sense of their duty.

Brian

Written Comments From Maps: May 13

Lake Koshkonong Public Meeting


May 13, 2010

Written Comments From Maps:

1. Need 6 to 7 inches more water so in the spring so ice does not push the sand and gravel on to the beach southwest end of lake near Koshkonong Drive.

2. Remove all Carp make it a law.

3. Make small ponds on islands.

4. Plant trees on Islands.

5. Use railroad box cars to create ring islands with open center.

6. Dredge out the Rock River channel in the lake.

7. Extend the left descending bank of the Rock River entering Lake Koshkonong to help protect the DNR property from erosion.

8. Don’t waste to much time protecting Mud lake.

9. Dredge the most easterly lobe of the lake.

10. Develop shoreline buffers for improved habitat and reduce runoff.

11. Shoreline buffers should not impede amphibians.

12. Shorelines that need the most protection are using a clock about 9:00 to 6:00 see map 4

13. Make emerging wing dam type islands and split the lake in half. Map 5

14. No tru-Green type applications within the local community watershed. (answer to question) map 5

15. Reintroduce old “Road Bed” (possibly lake access bridge across middle of the lake on emerged wing dams for public access and create lake use fees for income. map 5

16. Dredge within 40 feet of shore and add to the low lands. map 6

17. Control Ice flow damage map 7

18. Control wind wave damage map 7

19. Protect Mud lake area map 7

20. Ensure all residents have good sanitary sewer systems map 8, map 14, map 22, map 23

21. Don’t want Islands to take away view, Trees and other debris needs to be cleaned up map 8

22. Clean up Black Hawk Island map8

23. Dredge the center of the lake in the western part of the lake map 9

24. Remove trees that are in the mouth of the river map 10

25. Losing shoreline on the lake side of the mouth of the river map 10

26. Break up wave action on lake from the west, dredge a deep channel in the whole lake map 11

27. Put wind generators on islands map 11

28. Dredge Deep the North and Northeastern part of the lake map 11

29. 160 foot pier in 12 inches of water, 7 years ago a man died

30. Dredge the north part of the lake map 14

31. Make Black Hawk Island into a Park Recreational Area. Map 14

32. Create more weed beds in lake map 14

33. Keep lake levels until after thanksgiving map 14

34. Increase rough fish control map 14

35. Construct break walls to protect shore map 14

36. Dredge public boat ramps map 17

37. Breakwater on bay at Vinnie Ha Ha map 16

38. Control water levels in the summer so it doesn’t go up and down map 18

39. No dredging in areas in front of sensitive areas map 19

40. Islands could be preserves for wildlife map 19

41. Build a Wind Farm to defray cost of improving the lake map 19

42. Armor shoreline map 19

43. Water quality important map 19

a. Get rid of the algae

44. Use the islands as:

a. Duck blinds

b. Picnic areas

c. Recreation volleyball

d. Wind farm platform

e. No humans allowed

45. Provide economic incentives to home owners that are “Green” protecting the lake and shore and provide clean storm water runoff map 19

46. Farmers get blamed for adding nutrients with run-off when the river floods their property map 20.

47. No Island, no barriers just get better sewers map 22, map 23

48. Lake Koshkonong was never natural for trout map 23

49. Dredge in front of homes and barriers in front of important wetlands map 24

50. Indian Hts needs to be dredged, 2 feet of water out to 250 feet of shore in the summer months, map 25

51. Need better structure in the lake for better fishing mid-lake on the north side. Map 25

52. Our dock is 250 feet long and we walk on mud about 20 feet on the shore before we reach the water map 25

53. Keep certain areas off limits for speed boats, map 26

54. Extend the inlet to the lake to protect the wetlands on either side.

55. Insure protective barriers have a structure to let fish and water out, map 26

56. Water Quality is very important map 27

57. Dredge the north shore area mid lake map 27

58. Build up levees on the Rock River at the entrance to the lake. Extend the levees into the lake as islands or some structure map 28

59. Breakwater at the Buckhorn map 29

60. Dredge in front of the Buckhorn map 29

61. Dredge from about 2:00 to 7:00 in front of Residences map 30

62. Protect marsh areas with break walls map 30

63. Lake needs to get cleaner map 31

64. Lake needs to get better fishing map 31

65. Water quality is important, map 32

66. Original Busseyville outlet oxbow diversion map 33

67. Loss of shore 20 feet map 33

68. Provide some navigational marking to the lake at the entrance of the Rock River map 34

69. Winter draw-down of the lake is destroying wetlands, which was never done in the 60 through the 80s map 35

70. Higher water levels during august and September is needed map 35

71. Dredge the lake and build islands map 36

72. Increase weed beds map 37

73. Rip rap does not prevent the killing of the trees map 37

74. Mark navigational hazards instead of raising water levels map 37

75. Encourage the use of smaller boats map 37

76. Water quality map 38

77. Raise the lake level and riprap the wetlands map 38

78. Creating islands will destroy the beauty of the lake map 38

79. Creating areas in front of wetlands and filling with dredge material would be beneficial map 38

80. Armor more of the shore line with riprap map 38

81. Control carp to improve vegetation map 38

82. Protect the entrance of the river to the lake map 38

83. Armor shores across for Black Hawk island map 39

84. Dredge Vinne Ha Ha boat landing map 39

85. Dredge in front of residents and protect wetlands map 40

86. Construct better habitat around the lake see map 40

87. Dredge channel for Rock River with Islands help to guide see map 44

88. Protect the wetlands see map 44

89. Protect wetlands with islands and develop a channel for the river see map 45 for arrangement

90. Increase shore line fishing to about 25 miles map 46

91. Dredge mid lake on the north and create two island in each end of the lake map 47

92. What is our budget? Map 48

93. Protect the wetlands on the north end of the lake either side of the entrance to the rock river map 48

Written Comments Separate From Maps:

94. Wish that the DNR would recognize that people do live on the lake and have a right to protect our shorelines. Having everyone convert their shoreline to vegetation simply is not a realistic expectation.

95. Island idea is great but: 1. Dredging deep channels and areas could attract larger boats. This would be a negative. 2. Depending upon placement of the islands – they could disrupt the air W to E. Not conductive to sailing.

96. Drain the lake (temporarily) – clean up debris!

97. We would like to see the rock piles and other debris marked so we won’t hit them while boating.

98. Somebody be responsible to clean the lake in the spring, there are large trees and branches in the water.

99. Dredge shallow areas in front of developments and deposit silt/fill in form of windbreaks out in the lake in front of developments.

100. Dredging would enhance navigation in shallow areas – would shorten length of pier making for a more safe boating in front of homes on lake.

101. Water Quality – control upstream sources

102. Build 1st class public marinas with breakwater protection and maintained dredged channel connection to the navigable water in the main lake – also good public facilities, bathrooms, piers, shore fishing and fish cleaning stations.

103. Restore DNR shoreline on point across from Blackhawk Island.

104. Continue aggressive rough fish removal.

105. Continue fish stocking efforts.

106. Issues we face on Crescent Bay: We are really lucky, we’re higher on bluff on Crescent Bay. However, recently we are losing shoreline and trees. Its never been good for swimming, but now there’s less “beach” hardly any shoreline area at all. 1) Clean up water so that there can be swimming and much better water for fish etc. 2)Save the marshes for the pelicans and other waterfowl, as well as nesting place for eagles. Create islands in the middle of lake after dredging.

107. At the table I was at there were some individual perceptions about what the problems were as well as what were possible solutions.

108. Problems:

Low Water Levels

Individual Property Erosion

Questions of who controls certain parts of shore without development.

Making sure multiple users (boaters, fishing, hunting, birders, etc.) can have something.

109. Solutions:

Dredging

Allowing Rip/Rap to hold shoreline

Islands to breakup wind/waves (different areas different times of the year)

Individual projects vs Larger projects

110. Shoreline erosion prevention.

Dredging to increase lake depth for improved boating/fishing.

Universal program to be offered to property owners assisting in shoreline erosion prevention.

111. (Cost Share Program)

a. Islands to serve as a breakwater.

b. Improve ecology of lake for improved fishing.

c. Blue/Green algae spreading needs attention.

d. How will all these suggestions be financed?

e. Ice destroys shoreline, controlling options?

f. How does channel go through lake – making rivers indirectly connect improve water quality

112. Fish kill in summer – caused by low levels and high temp?

a. Improvement in water quality Lake levels would improve habitat for fish – cooler summer waters.

b. Dredging along shoreline of lakefront owners eliminating 100’ plus piers.

c. Buy our own dredging equipment. Obviously there is no hurry. Volunteers can do this.

113. Dredge the lake in the areas where people reside in order to improve navigation and the uses of this lake for recreation.

114. Use the dredged material to build islands to help break up the wind and all of the negative things that result from the wind.

115. Dredge material could also be used to build breakwaters along the wetland shoreline.

116. Create some deep water areas in the lake bottom for better fish habitat and to help eliminate low oxygen levels during winter.

117. Don’t let this effort become a study that sits on a shelf like other have, make this effort count for something real. Make This Effort Count!

118. Too many past efforts didn’t help change the lake and river. Too many generations have heard this all before.

a. Live on North Shore:

Lost about 30 feet of shoreline in 40 years from erosion. Would like to restore without having to plant trees that ruin view of the lake. Let us rock the shoreline.

b. Make it deeper! Islands in middle to lower effect of wind and therefore lower erosion. Also better habitat for aquatic vegetation and fish. Unable to get a boat up to pier because it’s too shallow.

c. Water quality becomes very poor in August? due to lower water levels

d. Do not want to swim in lake because of water quality.

e. Wish List: Better Fishing; Better Boating; less MUCK; less shoreline erosion

f. North Shore: Dredge the shoreline to a depth that can park boat next to pier.

119. Priorities

a. *1. Mark rock pile locations with buoys to warn boaters.

b. *2. Raise dam level at Indian Ford especially in summer months.

c. 3. Dredge lake with islands to place fill.

d. 4. Improve shore so owners can have piers closer to shore.

e. *These items can be done immediately!!! At minimum expense.

120. Raise the lake level. Control higher water by controlling the dams.

a. Islands will not change the shallow shoreline.

b. Shallow shoreline means shallow boat ramps. Island will not solve this problem.

c. Deeper waters will create more vegetation and more fish population.

d. Deeper water will allow boats to dock at lake restaurants and create more business.

e. Raise the water and less? up

121.

a. Increased depth attained through dredging and raising lake levels 8”

b. Formation of manmade islands, off limits to boaters, for wildlife and wind/wave break.

c. Proposed islands – (they drew a map. see original…it had to large islands)

122. Goals:

a. Increase navigational depth of lake.

b. Ice and wind shear control.

c. Islands to have huge beneficial impact on wildlife, etc.

d. Would like to see 2 larger or 4 smaller islands in 2-5 years.

e. Additional rip rapping of shoreline.

123. Summertime and winter recreation: Fishing; Boating; Swimming; Ice fishing; Snowmobiling

124. Water bird Sanctuary

125. Best things to do: Dredging, Islands, Rip Rap

126. I think there should be long narrow islands about 200-300 yards off shore protecting the wetland areas so that you can easily navigate all the way around, and take out tons of material off the bottom near shore as well as far out into the lake as possible.

127. Make many smaller islands to break up wind and waves, south to north. Dredge all of the lake to make islands.

128. Since 1980 we have watched steady erosion of point on south side of entrance of Rock River into Koshkonong – perhaps 200 years in 30 years. Winter ice and spring floods do most damage. Rip rap is necessary to stop erosion at point and also on south side of point. Prothonatary warblers nest here and are losing habitat.

a. We live at north end of Vinne HaHa road by boat landing, and are aware of major silting problems on east end of lake. The boat landing is not useable at DNR target summer water levels.

b. Target low summer levels also dry out the wetland east of the lake.

c. Any attempted changes to lake must balance work to improve wildlife habitat and work to improve human recreational use of the lake: Both are desirable.

d. Silting, especially of east end, is a chronic condition. If island or breakwaters are made, the effects on silting need to be carefully projected. Any dredging needs to be planned as a repeatable action. Possibly doing dredging and island formation in stages rather than all at once would be wise.

e. Plan the whole to be done in stages, and make observations after each stage is completed (over 3-5 years) before doing later stages.

f. A long-term plan of observing various parameters in and around the lake needs to be established for monitoring ongoing effects of any lake modifications that are done.

g. What improvements, what target goals, are reasonable, as regards to water quality, habitat development, recreational uses?

h. Personally I do not want the lake to be turned into a deep water playground for people with large powerful cigarette boats.

i. Build wetland areas to enhance wildlife habitat, and develop water front by homes for recreational uses.

j. Where to put islands? What projects of similar type have been done in other places that can be examined as models?

k. RKLD needs to be closely involved on a continuing basis with USACE and WDNR for MANY years.

129. My vision for the lake is that some portions be used/maintained for wildlife/natural areas, and some for recreational use. It should be possible to manage these differently to get different results. 2) Primary recreation areas should be for boating, fishing, wind surfing, etc. Much of the lake is too shallow, too algae filled for swimming. 3) There need to be some examination of the effects of really low water – gets rid of rats in marsh areas at north end and east end of lake, encourage growth of phragmites etc. and also of ??bisheltho? a more subtle, somewhat higher water level would be better for encouraging vegetative growth. 4) Unless someone is committed to ongoing dredging, any activity which affects water flow or changes velocity should be carefully examined to make sure it doesn’t increase sedimentation. My feeling is that no one knows anything about the currents in the lake or why some areas have sedimentation of much finer particles than others. Gilberts Bay, Lauty Bay and Stinkers Bay have sediment with a much higher proportion of clay and silt then the rest of the lake. (I’ve taken courses for a UW-Whitewater project, so I know.) Especially creating islands should be examined carefully to make sure it doesn’t create sedimentation problems. (Wave action encourages particles to become resuspended. If you can cut down the wave action, what will happen? Islands can result in reducing water flow and velocity on one side of the island and encourage sedimentation there.) 5) It should be possible to make things so that you can launch canoes from Vinne Ha Ha boat launch all summer. It should be possible to put small fishing boats (not 100hp motors). It should be possible to wade out from shore without having your legs swallowed in quicksand – like muck. 6) My dream would include dredging as needed for people to use the lake. Parts where vegetation growth is desired should be allowed to silt in (or even filled a little.) 7) Control erosion of south side of river at NE end. There will soon be no bay there because the point has been disappearing. It used to be a nesting area for many song birds, but now that habitat is gone. 8) Get sewage districts sewage lines for whole lake to reduce problems with failing septic systems.

130. More consistent lake level, preferable 6 – 7” higher but more consistent whatever the level. Fishing, water sports, skiing etc. swimming, just plain relaxing boating. Start something so the progress can begin – if nothing starts then nothing is what you get. Install board on top of Indianford Dam to raise lake level 6-7”.

131. Haight Bay. Would like to be able to keep our boat next to the pier and not walk out 300 feet. Go out on our boat and support the business for dinner without getting in the water – Mark Dangerous Areas. Our view of the lake is beautiful. Do not want to look at an island. If the lake were dredged how long would that last. This would be a solution for a short time.

132. Uses: Rec Boating, Fishing, Hunting, Aesthetic views, Nature preserves, Waterfowl and Fish Habitat. Issues: Lake Flies are too many; Coffee colored water does not encourage submersible vegetation; wind which affects erosion and boating; control upstream water quality (phosphorous) and wastewater treatment plants; old septic systems and drain fields are too close too lake; Carp. Other: Ice expands and pushes shoreline beach; water depth; need sand and gravel base; dredge areas and create multiple islands for wildlife and wind breaks; create sand and gravel substrate for fish and spawning and vegetation; Create island wind breaks; dredging will provide greater depth for boating and use of silt for barrier islands; islands provide habitat; consider slow-no-wake areas for canoes and kayaks; drill artesian wells for water quality; take steps to enhance and preserve natural springs; wind erosion is primary problem on E and NE side of lake; problem with some bluff erosion by Kosh Mounds golf course; can kosh creek become a trout stream?; How many old septic systems are around the lake? What is the negative impact on water quality? Provide grants to homeowners to upgrade their septic systems.; Create “tourism tax” for non-residents to pay on food, gas, alcohol, hotels, boat ramp fee, etc.

Questions from the May 13 Workshop

Note: The following questions will be answered in the EA and Management Plan either in a Q/A section or other selected sections of the plans.


1. What can we do about the Ice pushing the sand and gravel onto the beach, southwest end of lake near Koshkonong Drive? MAR

2. Can we use the old fish hatchery on the North west end of the lake? DNR & Steve Hjort

3. Can we ring natural springs that would provide clean cool water for different fish species? MAR and DNR

4. Can we create rows of islands to deflect and cannel the Rock River through the lake thus moving sediments along? MAR

5. How many Islands will it take to reduce the wave action on the Lake? MAR

6. How close do the islands have to be to the shore to reduce wind driven waves? MAR

7. What structure does an Island have to have to provide habitat in the lake? DNR

a. What species will use the habitat? Steve Hjort

8. Can the lake ever have a long flowing channel? MAR

9. Who owns the islands that are created and can they be sold? DNR

10. Do we know where the original channel of the Rock River is in the lake? MAR

11. Why is the lake drawn down so low at the end of October? DNR

12. What can we do about flood control? MAR & USACE

13. How do we improve water quality? All – Large Picture/Part of Study

How do we improve water level management throughout the seasons? DNR (remove determined by team meeting on the 17 May 10)

14. Does the increased sediment loads in the river and lake increase flooding? MAR

15. What does the increased sediment in the lake have to do with water level control? MAR

16. How do you increase vegetation on the shoreline areas? All – Large Picture/Part of Study

17. How much dredging will be needed to be done forever to keep any improvement from going back to what it is now? All with MAR as the lead.

18. Why is there a water level fluctuation during the summer? MAR

19. How do we remove the great algae blooms? DNR

20. Is Lake Delavan similar to Lake Koshkonong and can we learn from what they did? DNR

21. Are there costs to help with windmills? MAR

22. Are springs in the lake blocked by sediment? MAR

23. Can the community erect wind power turbines to create an income? MAR

24. What effect do wind turbines have on ducks and other bird life? MAR

25. What control does Indian Ford Dam provide during flooding? Can you explain? MAR

26. Tributaries to the Rock River through Lake Koshkonong bet backed up can we do anything for that? MAR

27. What kind of shoreline habitat is good for fish? DNR with help from Steve Hjort

28. Why do I have 20 feet of mud in front of my house before I reach the lake? Can this be removed? MAR

a. Can we add fill to that mud or excavate it? DNR & MAR

29. Would it help to dredge in front of our homes and the further out build a wall that stopped the wave action? MAR & DNR

30. How can we control lake shore erosion? DNR – All, Large Picture/Part of Study

31. How do we improve fishing on the lake? DNR – All, Large Picture/Part of Study

32. Why are the sand flies so prevalent? What is their life cycle? DNR

33. How can we get plants to grown on the bottom? What are the limiting factors? DNR, All – Large Picture/Part of Study

34. Tell us about the Carp factories? Where are they? DNR

35. Can we get a map with all the creek names on them? MAR

36. Can we establish floating barriers to decrease wave action, similar to natural conditions with aquatic vegetation? DNR & USACE & MAR

37. Over 30 years we have lost at least 20 feet of shore can you predict how much more we will lose? MAR/All

38. The marshes are freezing to the bottom affecting turtles and other amphibians can we change this with water level control? DNR/All

39. Why can we not maintain water levels in August and September? DNR

40. If the lake were deeper would more sediment be carried down the river? DNR

41. How does the phosphorous affect the vegetation? DNR

42. If there were no carp and all the nutrients remained what would the lake look like? DNR

43. Why can’t we increase the overall water level postpone the inevitable? DNR

44. How do you control phosphorous in the lake? DNR

45. Where do the lake flies come from and how do you get rid of them? DNR

46. If dredging is done, how long before the islands drift back into the lake? MAR

47. What percentage of the lake shore is rip-rapped? MAR

48. Can the DNR rip rap its property? DNR

49. Can some dredged material be used to fill low residential areas around the lake? DNR

50. How many islands are required? MAR

51. Who is responsible for islands? DNR

52. How do we fund all these activities? USACE

a. Do we have a budget?

b. What are the priorities?

53. Can you tell me the whole process as you see it? USACE & DNR

54. What can we do for mollusks? DNR

55. How many old septic systems are around the lake?

56. Wave action encourages particles to become re-suspended, if you can cut down the wave action, will there be more sedimentation? All, MAR

57. What projects of similar type have been done in other places that can be examined as models? All

Response from Army Corp

Dear Paul Ogren,


We were very happy to see you and your wife tonight. The response was great and it probably overwhelmed many of us. The purpose of the meeting was fulfilled in great measure by the numbers and the overall positive attitudes of the community. Our planning group walked away with a much better understanding of the problems, attitudes and need for change.

Our goal was not to bargain or discuss which project is more important. As stated we came to listen to everyone's concerns and record them, which we have. I know as we continue the process of discovery you will be able to add more subtle concerns that will help us formulate a presentation for when we next meet.

The project is really unprecedented in the cast of partners and the speed that it is being accomplished. Three months is just one breath for a federal agency and the same for our fellow state DNR, so when we put our heads together to answer all those great question you are getting a great product which alone will decrease conflict by shedding light on many myths and form a foundation in which we can find consensus as we discuss the pros and cons or all of our ideas. As a planner I am always amazed how I never know what the final product will look like.

We needed your information to propose a plan and that is exactly what you give us so no worries. We really enjoyed meeting you and value your input.

Please contact us at anytime.

The next time we meet we will have rough cost estimates for features that the community has proposed and will have answers to 50 some questions. My hope is that we can begin discussions about sustainability and what the future may hold. Our next product will be a rough draft of a planning document that will address operation of the lake in a comprehensive way.

Sincerely,

Steve Russell - PM
ACOE

Remarks from May 13 Workshop

Just a quick note to thank all of you for your work at yesterday's meeting in Fort Atkinson re: Lake Koshkonong. Your presentations, the size of the crowd, and your enthusiasm for the project all speak well and hopefully of future success.


I will note one thing that came up at our table, and I am guessing many of the others around the room. Certainly people enjoy being asked for what they think should happen. Many did express opinions, even if they didn't speak up. As a manager in a government agency, I understand the value of "buy-in," from all the "stakeholders" and particularly from Agencies (DNR, Corps, etc.) that will need to help in shaping whatever comes out and approving or overseeing it. However, in a group as big as this, and for people who might not be used to the "interactive" or "interest-based" type of bargaining, it might have been a little overwhelming. Many, both those who vocally expressed their concerns to everyone and those who limited their expressions to their tables, couldn't seem to figure out "where is the plan." Generally, at meetings like this, people are presented with something, then the reactions start, and little else can be accomplished. So I agree that this is a better way to go, but with such a large group, many of whom are looking for some kind of guidelines, the free form might have been too much.

That said, I will say that there were ideas expressed, that went far and wide with what people wanted, or that could or should be done. At my table alone, where we have people from the southern end of the lake, the eastern shore, the northern end, and the river at Newville, there was lots of talk about islands, dredging, how shoreline erodes, whether rip rap would be permitted in all places, but over and over an expression of what is the budget we are looking at, and how much can we get for it. There was also considerable expression of concern about everyone thinking if there was a limited scope of funding, that they would want their own area taken care of first (I think there were some back and forth comments like that during the night from the floor) or that this would be another failed attempt like others before.

There was also an undercurrent of distrust in the process regarding "conservationists" who had "all the money" attacking any attempts to improve the usability for boaters and recreationists. Jon, who happened to stop by the table I was at, tried to assure everyone who raised this issue that this didn't seem to be the case this time, but I'm not sure people were ready to believe it.

I'm sure I fit somewhere between the property owner and conservationist camp.

When it is shallow on the end where I live, and we get less outboard traffic, I'm not all that upset on one level. As I explained when I spoke with Steve prior to the meeting, my wife and I only kayak, and sit and watch the various wildlife, so navigability is not that big a deal for us. But in reality, the clean water, the not filling with sediment, the maintaining and re-establishing of wetlands, clearly is something that we need for the lake survive. So maybe we have to settle for things that are not perfect, but best; compromises that make it possible for lots of people to be served.

That is what we had to think when we sold our first cottage on the lake (on Willow Road) after it had floodwaters that had been in more than waist deep.

That was the unfortunate part for us. We had just listed it to sell the week before the flood. We had done that because we had bought another property on Lamp Road (which "only" flooded to 18", but now has been raised up to the mitigation standard, and re-done for our future retirement home). So we were lucky, in a way because we could do the "right thing"-let the one piece go back to nature, and help be part of the buffer. But we do need more of that, and more responsible activities around the lake, not just "what I want" or "what I can get away with." The County has done some of it by watching the reconstruction of properties. We need to continue to encourage that.

So, probably too much soapbox, and no plan for you from me. Lots of other people had lots of good ideas about what can and should happen. My wife and I plan to permanently be in the lake area beginning late summer as we gear down toward retirement. If there is anything you can think of that would be helpful, please let us know.

Thanks again.

Paul Ogren

Below Action Stage

Lake Level = 778.91

Down 6 inches in 6 days

Be Free - and Be Safe...

Rock River traffic expected to be heavy around Beloit

Beloit Daily News

...Slow No Wake restrictions have also been put in place in the towns of Beloit, Fulton, Janesville, Milton and Rock, as well as the City of Janesville in Rock County.

The Reason for the Season II

How busy is Lake Koshkonong typically?

• Assume boat traffic begins May 15 and ends roughly September 15 – that’s 4 months, or 16 weeks out of 52 weeks – 31% of the year for boating.
• Then, consider 3 days (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) of “intense” boat traffic within each of those 16 weeks – that equates to 48 days of boat traffic out of 365 days – 13% of the year for “heavy” boat traffic.
• Then, if we were to review the Farmer’s Almanac to determine, over the last 5 years, just how many of those 48 days were indeed “boatable” weather – i.e. not storming, or high-water/no wake, or low water/drought conditions, or unseasonably cool weather, or an early frost, etc, etc – Lake Koshkonong/Rock River hosts “busy” boating – fast, slow, and in-between – less than 10% of the calendar year.

If you are one of those shoreline homeowners who have grown tired of boats disturbing your backyard tranquility, then please keep it in perspective. Boat traffic is at its worst just 10% of the year.