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Kevin F. Connors, Director

5201 Fen Oak Drive, Rm. 208
Madison, WI 53718
Phone: (608) 224-3730
Fax: (608) 224-3745
lwrd@countyofdane.com

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YLAG2 Draft Recommendations - Comments

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  1. 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.
  2. Clarify implementation of Lake Mendota level orders when summer maximum are exceeded during high flows. (DNR)
  3. 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.
  4. Strive to operate Lake Kegonsa’s water level at the midpoint of the summer range from June 1 through September 1.
  5. Evaluate the winter minimum water levels orders on all the Yahara System to meet the public interests. – eg. fish and wildlife habitat.
  6. Centrally coordinate the operation of all permitted dams on the Yahara System to maximize efficiency in the system.
  7. Do not deliberately operate the lakes below current minimums as a means to provide flood storage.
  8. Develop operating orders to address operation of the Stoughton Dam in the event of a high water emergency based on modeling analysis.
  9. Explore water level orders that recognize that Lakes Monona and Waubesa act as one lake.
  10. Retain the existing lake level orders for the Yahara System.
  11. 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.
  12. Establish target "median" levels for the lakes.
  13. DNR should establish winter maximum lake levels.
Comments are listed in chronological order (Oldest to Newest):
Comment Text
Strongly agree
Strongly Disagree! DNR has not provided documentation for this requirement in Lake Mendota. This also reduces flood storage on Lake Mendota before the spring rains come. Why draw down Mendota in the winter only to give away most of the flood storage before spring rains arrive?
Saving the pike and other spawning fish is critical to the overal habitat and health of the chain. However, I would disapprove of this recomendation if what is being said is that after mid-May, Mendota should be drawn down to act as a water detention basin.
I agree.
I support reaching the Mendota minimum in time for fish spawning. I do not support "ratcheting-up" the lake levels to the maximum and above to protect fish from stranding. That is a natural condition that they can deal with. The spring target should be no higher than the midpoint to prevent excessive levels going into May-June.
Lake Mendota should be managed in the mid-range throughout the season. This allows for navigation, property owners and recreational users to utilize the lake to its fullest. Again, Lake Mendota is not the source of the problem but rather impediments downstream are the problem - don't treat a symptom of a bigger problem.
I support reaching the Mendota minimum in time for fish spawning. I do not support "ratcheting-up" the lake levels to the maximum and above to protect fish from stranding. That is a natural condition that they can deal with. The spring target should be no higher than the midpoint to prevent excessive levels going into May-June.
Absolutely agree that Lake Mendota water levels should be maintained in their current range to better support fish habitat. Any lowering of the water level and the consequence of negatively impacting the fish habitat has to be avoided at all costs.
As a property owner and lakeshore resident on Lake Mendota, my primary concern is preventing flooding and then preserving water quality. Maintaining summer minimum levels in early spring would increase the risk of flooding during spreing rain season.
The present level of the lake, as of 26 April 2012, to too low for easy navigation, bird nesting, and fish spawning. A targeted mininmum needs to be at least 6 inches above what it is today and have that minimum level maintained spring through fall. Mike Ripp

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Revised: January 26, 2011