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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
Excellent idea . I refer you to the year the stoughton dam was being restored. The level at the dam was several feet below normal and when we had a significant rain event lowering lake kegonsa was a non issue.
Good Idea!
The Stoughton Dam is a key element in the chain of lakes. Do not wait until a high water emergency to use the dam to lower water levels.
Yes - I'm shocked that we have this archaic manually operated log-stacked dam. I have 2 lake properties which account for approx. $45k in property taxes ANNUALLY! Where are my tax dollars going-this should be a budget item so that in 5-7 years enough $'s are directed and saved to upgrade this system. Unbelievable and disappointing at the same time to become knowledgeable about this situation.
No modeling is needed. Operating procedures in response to a high water emergency need to be in place today and, if they do not already exist, should be drafted immediately. We do not need a model to help define the obvious.

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Revised: January 26, 2011