October 21, 2011 Update

                        Elevation         Change from 10/7/11     Summer Min
Mendota        849.99                  +  0.06 ft                              +0.39 ft
Monona          844.47                  -  0.42 ft                              - 0.23 ft
Waubesa        844.21                   - 0.45 ft                              - 0.29 ft
Kegonsa         843.47                   - 0.10 ft                              + 0.47 ft

 

 

Since the last report of October 7th , we have received 1.01 inches of rain.  The National Weather Service at the Dane County Regional Airport reported a total of 4.32 inches of precipitation since September 1.   We have received 24.62 inches of precipitation since January 1, 2011,-  4.94 inches below normal.  Last year, we received 33.0 inches of precipitation for the same year to date period.

 

Lake Mendota  is in range.   We will be increasing flow out of Mendota this weekend.  

 

Lakes Monona and Waubesa both dropped about 2 inches over a 3 day period this past weekend.  We placed 6 logs on Monday and another 6 on Wednesday in the dam at Babcock County Park.  Only the lock gates are open to allow for navigation.  With the increase in flow out of Mendota this weekend, we hope to stabilize water levels for these 2 lakes prior to begin transitioning to the Winter Water level orders in November.

 

Lock gates remain closed at Lafollette. 

October 7, 2011 Update

                      Elevation         Change from9/23         Summer Max
Mendota         849.93            +  0.19 ft                           - 0.17 ft
Monona          844.89             -  0.04 ft                           - 0.31 ft
Waubesa        844.66              - 0.07 ft                           - 0.34 ft
Kegonsa         843.57              + 0.20 ft                         + 0.07 ft

  

Since the last report of September 23rd, we have received 1.79 inches of rain.  The National Weather Service at the Dane County Regional Airport reported a total of 3.31 inches of precipitation since September 1.   We have received 23.61 inches of precipitation since January 1, 2011, 4.82 inches below normal.  Last year, we received 33.0 inches of precipitation for the same time period.

 

Lakes Mendota, Monona and Waubesa are near their mid range.  We increased flow out of the Lafollette Dam to bring Kegonsa down to the mid range.  We have stabilized flow and will maintain current levels pending any additional precipitation.  "Summer Operating Orders" continue till November 1.

 

Beginning October 10th, we will begin removing navigational buoys from all waterways.  Piers will be removed from County Lake Access points with the exception of Babcock and Fish Camp.  These piers remain throughout the year.

 

September 23, 2011 Update

                    Elevation         Change from 9/9  Summer Max
 Mendota*     849.74*           -  0.02 ft*                - 0.36 ft
Monona         844.93              -  0.24 ft                  - 0.27 ft
Waubesa       844.73               - 0.25 ft                   - 0.27 ft
Kegonsa        843.37               - 0.02 ft                   - 0.13 ft

*  The Lake Mendota gauge was providing incorrect readings earlier this month.  The gauge was corrected by USGS and previous readings have been updated with correct data.

The National Weather Service at the Dane County Regional Airport reported a total of 1.52 inches of precipitation since September 1.   We have received 21.82 inches of precipitation since January 1, 2011.  This is 5.48 inches below normal.  Last year, we received 32.97 inches of precipitation for the same time period.

All 4 lakes are now near their mid range.  We have stabilized flow and will maintain current levels pending any additional precipitation.  "Summer Operating Orders" continue till November 1.