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YLAG2 Draft Recommendations - Comments

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Retain current water level orders until an observational network and modeling indicates a need for change in order to better balance public and private interests.
Clarify implementation of Lake Mendota level orders when summer maximum are exceeded during high flows. (DNR)
Coordinate lake levels in the Yahara River system and particularly Lake Mendota to remain high enough (summer minimum - 849.6) from March 15 to mid-May to allow fish to spawn, young fry to grow to sufficient size to survive once water levels are lowered as determined by Dane County and DNR Fisheries.
Strive to operate Lake Kegonsa’s water level at the midpoint of the summer range from June 1 through September 1.
Evaluate the winter minimum water levels orders on all the Yahara System to meet the public interests. – eg. fish and wildlife habitat.
Centrally coordinate the operation of all permitted dams on the Yahara System to maximize efficiency in the system.
Do not deliberately operate the lakes below current minimums as a means to provide flood storage.
Develop operating orders to address operation of the Stoughton Dam in the event of a high water emergency based on modeling analysis.
Explore water level orders that recognize that Lakes Monona and Waubesa act as one lake.
Retain the existing lake level orders for the Yahara System.
Manage Lake Mendota close to its summer minimum of 849.6 feet MSL instead of the near the summer maximum of 850.1 msl in order to provide more storage for major runoff events.
Establish target "median" levels for the lakes.
DNR should establish winter maximum lake levels.