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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
This is crucial to prevent serious ice damage. Several years ago, Lake Kegonsa was above summer max in January resulting in serious ice damage to lakeshore structures.
Winter mins are necessary to protect shorelines during the winter. If the water levels are up when the frost develops and high moisture is in the ground then heaving and shoreline damage will occur when the frost leaves the ground.
On what basis would this be established, and purpose would be served?
I support lowering water levels during the winter to prevent major shoreline damage and erosion in the spring. Hopefully that would be the DNR's recommendation?????
Worth looking into to prevent shoreline damage and subsequent erosion from ice shoves.
The DNR does not need to establish anything. The current winter minimums are perfectly adequate.

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Revised: January 26, 2011