Wet conditions might cause spring flooding

Janesville Gazette

...Minor spring flooding is likely along the Rock River this spring, and heavy rain could lead to major flooding, a National Weather Service meteorologist said Friday.

“It doesn’t mean it’s going to happen

...At Newville, the river has a 13 percent chance of reaching minor flood stage of 10 feet, but the river is not predicted to reach higher stages, he said.
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In other words, it may flood, it may not, but if it rains, the odds increase, and if it rains a lot, then the odds of flooding increases, unless it does not rain, then it may flood, but not as bad as if it rains, which EVERYONE already knows to be true....

Photo by BK

Sunset on Lautz Bay, Lake Koshkonong, February 2010

Photo 2 by Lori Hannam

Summer Sunset on Lake Koshkonong

Photo 1 by Lori Hannam

November Sunset on Lake Koshkonong

Fort river 'ducks ahead' warning sign of the times

Jefferson Daily Union

,,,None of the extensive systems of trails in Jefferson County run on the rivers or utilize the river in any way. Whenever a trail comes to a river, it is rerouted to cross at a bridge, not on the river itself.

Ellifson noted that the dangers of having snowmobiles or other vehicles on the rivers is the flowing water, which constantly changes the ice conditions.

Fort Atkinson poet focus of film

From Beloit Daily News

...Having grown up along the Rock River where the water flows into Lake Koshkonong and having lived on Black Hawk Island, much of her work reflects nature: the river, birds and other wildlife and marshes.
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Lorine Niedecker

Stebbinsville Dam on Yahara River Slated for Removal

News Release Published:
February 11, 2010
by the South Central Region
Contact(s): Rob Davis,
Water Management Engineer, Fitchburg:
608 275-3316
608 275-3316

TOWN OF PORTER - Work is drawing near on removing the 92-year old Stebbinsville Dam on the Yahara River in northern Rock County west of Edgerton.
The dam, owned by Peter Burno under the name Wisconsin Edison Corp., has not generated electricity since 1996 and "has failed, is in very poor condition and is a hazard to public safety and to navigation of the Yahara River," said DNR water management engineer Rob Davis, Fitchburg.
Burno has submitted an application to abandon the dam and has given permission for it to be removed. DNR and the River Alliance of Wisconsin have secured about $110,000 in grant money to pay for taking out the structure.
The 300 foot long dam was breached through its right embankment in May, 2004, during a storm, its concrete is in "extremely poor condition and there are numerous very large cracks (which) are showing signs of movement" and "significant displacement," noted Davis.
Plans call for taking out the concrete portion of the dam and later grading both embankments, a step aimed towards restoring the area to its pre-settlement conditions. Restoration will include importing topsoil to cover fill areas, seeding and installing erosion mats.
Dam removal and site restoration will also improve the water quality and biological integrity of the Yahara River by making it easier for fish to migrate to upper portions of the river, reducing carp spawning habitat, and enhancing fish habitat.
The dam in its current configuration was built in 1918, but it is believed that a dam has been present at the site since around 1840.
The existing concrete spillway is functionally the same structure that was constructed around 1918. The site has served as a grist mill, flour mill and most recently used to produce electricity, according to an environmental assessment prepared by DNR.
DNR hosted a public information meeting on Jan. 6, 2009 at the Porter Town Hall to discuss the proposal to abandon and remove the dam.

Tuesday Snowstorm Shatters Local Records

Chicago TV 2

...The official snowfall for Tuesday was 12.6 inches, measured at O'Hare International Airport, which set a new daily record snowfall for the month of February. The last record for daily snowfall for February in Chicago was 11.5 inches, set on Feb. 18, 1908.

Tuesday's snowfall breaks 101-year-old record

Madison Cap Times

...The National Weather Service said 4.8 inches of snow fell at the airport on Tuesday, eclipsing the 4.3 inches that fell on Feb. 9, 1909.

...With the 4.8 inches of snow recorded at the airport on Tuesday, Madison has received 8.8 inches of snow during February and 42.5 inches of snow this winter.

...The normal amount of snow for all of February is 8.6 inches, and the normal amount for the "snow season", fall through spring, is about 50 inches, when the averages for fall (5.1), winter (34.1) and spring (10.7) are added together.

Koshkonong Fisheree At Norm's Hideaway SATURDAY

6:00am to 4:00pm. Saturday, Feb 13th.


View Larger Map

Delavan Lake dredging proposal detailed

Janesville Gazette

...The $1.53 million bid was the only one submitted for the project, Administrator John Olson said. Plans include removing 45,330 cubic feet of sediment from the channel on the west side of the Delavan Lake inlet, which is located on the north side of the lake.
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Not many firms do this type of work....

Eagles on the Rock River

Lake Level Today

776.74

Just above DNR Summer Max.

All gates are and have been 100% open.

Ice Racing On Lake Koshkonong

Photos from Milw Journal Sentinel

Focus on Fort: Fort Koshkonong Rendezvous