Note From Rock Aqua Jays

Hello Brian,
I am writing to let you know that I read the blog post where Keith Ruud stated the following: “I suppose its so they can water ski down in Janesville.”

Such a statement is absolutely absurd. We are keenly aware that the gates have been open for the last two years and that the water is currently going over the top of the dam. We also know that the Indianford Dam is likely the most scrutinized dam in the state and would never ask that the RKLD operate outside of parameters set forth by the DNR except under extreme or emergency circumstances.

I want to go on record that the Rock Aqua Jays Water Ski Club, Inc. supports the Rock-Koshkonong Lake District in its efforts. Furthermore, we are taking the lead in organizing homeowners and other stakeholders from the Indianford Dam to the Centerway Dam (in Janesville) in an effort to find out why the river is constantly high/flooded and how we can resolve it.

Many of our own members, friends, and families own property on the Rock River between the dams. We are all frustrated with not being able to utilize the river due to continuous slow/no wake orders without any kind of guidelines for imposing such orders. Furthermore, we are frustrated with the amount of tax money the DNR is wasting in fighting the RKLD’s efforts with regards to Lake Koshkonong. We are also questioning the whether or not North American Hydro (operator of the Centerway Dam) had permission or the legal right to add an extra level of boards in the spillway at that dam.

If you have time in the coming weeks, I’d like to meet with you to discuss how best to organize the homeowners and other stakeholders to create an association to deal with the challenges we face on the portion of the Rock River between the Indianford and Centerway Dams.

Kind regards,
Joel Shapiro
Rock Aqua Jays Water Ski Club, Inc.
President

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Joel –

We LOVE the Rock Aqua Jays and residents here will appreciate your note.

Also, I can’t tell you how many times I get asked about inviting the Rock Aqua Jays to the Lake/Newville area for a special performance.

You and I have talked about that through the years, as well as relatively recent talks with Gerry. The Aqua Jays are a treasure to our region and Traxler Park provides an unrivaled amphiteater atmosphere - it is just a shame Mother Nature keeps hitting us with unseasonal weather that causes us to postpone conversations about brining a show upstream.

Let us know when you would like to meet.

Your riparian neighbors to the north.

Brian
Chair, RKLD.org