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.