August 12th Update

                                    Elevation         Change from 7/23/11   Summer Max

 

Mendota         849.78               + 0.01 ft                        - 0.32 ft

Monona          845.01               +  0.05 ft                       - 0.19 ft

Waubesa        844.89               + 0.13 ft                        - 0.11 ft

Kegonsa         843.03                - 0.03 ft                        - 0.47 ft

 

We have received 18.18 inches of precipitation since January 1, 2011.  This is 3.87 inches below normal. Last year, we received 27.98 inches of precipitation for the same time period.

 

As lakes are near or below  mid range of their respective water levels, we continue to slowly stabilize flow from one lake to the other.  We have decreased flow out of Mendota, Waubesa and Kegonsa.  We have been able to stabilize Lake Waubesa water level by placing logs in each of the bays at Babcock.   The lock gates remain open to allow for navigation.

 

At Lafollette, 2 of the 3 bays are totally closed to keep Lake Kegonsa above Summer Minimum.  Lock gates remain closed. 

 

Currently 4 harvesters are in the river:   2 at Fish Camp and 2 operating out of the Yaeger loading site, immediately down stream from Babcock Lock and Dam.  We have 2 harvesters on Mendota in the Spring Harbor area,  and 2 operating in the Squaw Bay area. 

 

As we are starting to wind down harvest for the season, our weed scout will check Lakes Mendota and Monona for a final time.  Once these 2 lakes are complete, we will move harvesters back in to the river for a final clean up.

 

Many of your constituents may continue to observe large weed mats that get caught along the shoreline and piers.  These are not rooted plants.  Most instances we have filamentous algae intertwined with floating vegetation.   Wind or precipitation generally will break up these mats.  We have been collecting these dense mats in these areas as crews progress around the lakes.  However, at times, the wind may push these mats to other areas of the lakes that do not allow us to efficiently pick up in a timely manner for some residents.

 

July 21, 2011 Update

                       Elevation        Change from 7/8/11        Summer Max

Mendota         849.77              -  0.08 ft                              - 0.33 ft

Monona          844.96              -  0.15 ft                              - 0.24 ft

Waubesa        844.76               - 0.15 ft                              - 0.24 ft

Kegonsa         843.06               - 0.19 ft                              - 0.44 ft

We have received 15.97 inches of precipitation since January 1, 2011.  This compares to a normal of 18.22 inches for the same time frame. Last year, we received 25.05 inches of precipitation for the same time period.

As lakes are near or below  mid range of their respective water levels, we have been slowly stabilizing flow from one lake to the other.  We have decreased flow out of Mendota, Waubesa and Kegonsa.  The lock gates remain open at Babcock.  At Lafollette, lock gates remain closed, and 2 of the 3 bays are closed to flow.

Our weed scout continues to monitor vegetative growth in the river between Lakes Waubesa and Kegonsa on a weekly basis.   We will be moving additional harvesters back in to the river this coming week.

People may be observing large weed mats that get caught along the shoreline and piers.  These are not rooted plants.  Most instances we have observed mats of filamentous algae intertwined with floating vegetation.   Wind or precipitation generally will break up these mats.  We have been collecting these dense mats in these areas as crews progress around the lakes.  However, at times, the wind may push these mats to other areas of the lakes that do not allow us to efficiently pick up in a timely manner for some residents.

We continue to experience large areas of dense native vegetation that may contribute to navigation issues in all lakes.  If we do any cutting in these areas, it is for navigation purposes only.

July 8 Update

                        Elevation         Change from 7/1/11     Summer Max

 

Mendota         849.85            -  0.08 ft                            - 0.27 ft

Monona          845.11            -  0.07 ft                            - 0.09 ft

Waubesa        844.91             - 0.01 ft                            - 0.08 ft

Kegonsa         843.25             +0.02 ft                            - 0.27 ft

 

We have received 15.51 inches of precipitation since January 1, 2011.  This compares to a normal of 16.37 inches for the same time frame. 

 

As lakes are near  mid range of their respective water levels, we have been slowly stabilizing flow from one lake to the other.  We have decreased flow out of Mendota, as it reaches mid range level.  No other adjustments were made this week. 

 

Our weed scout continues to monitor vegetative growth in  the river between Lakes Waubesa and Kegonsa on a weekly basis.   We have 4 harvesters on the river and 2 on Lake Monona and will be placing 2 in Mendota.  At the request of Madison Parks we began harvesting vegetation in the Vilas Lagoon this week. 

 

Due to the large increase in vegetation, we will place a harvester in Lake Wingra to do only navigation cuts that may also open up for swimming and provide an 'edge' for predator fish.

 

Many constituents may be observing large weed mats that get caught along the shoreline and piers.  These are not rooted plants.  In most instances,  county staff have observed mats of filamentous algae intertwined with floating vegetation.   Wind or precipitation generally will break up these mats.  Staff are noticing large areas of dense native vegetation that may contribute to navigation issues in all lakes.  If any cutting is done in these areas, it is for navigation purposes only.

July 1 Lake Level Update

The following is an update provided by the County for July 1, 2011

 

                        Elevation        Change from June 10th, 2011              Summer Max

 

Mendota         849.93                  + 0.03 ft                               - 0.17 ft

Monona          845.18                  + 0.06 ft                               - 0.02 ft

Waubesa        844.92                   +0.14 ft                                - 0.08 ft

Kegonsa         843.23                   -0.05 ft                                 - 0.27 ft

 

We have received 15.39 inches of precipitation since January 1, 2011.  This compares to a normal of 15.46 inches for the same time frame. 

 

As lakes are near  mid range of their respective water levels, we have been slowly stabilizing flow from one lake to the other.  We have decreased flow out of Mendota, Waubesa and Kegonsa as they are near their respective mid range levels. 

 

Our weed scout continues to monitor vegetative growth in  the river between Lakes Waubesa and Kegonsa on a weekly basis.  Vegetative growth is primarily Wild Celery.  We have 7 harvesters on the river and 2 on Lake Monona.  At the request of Madison Parks we will begin harvesting vegetation in the Vilas Lagoon next week.

June 10th Update

                                         Elevation        Change from 5/27/11     Summer Max

 

Mendota         849.90                  + 0.05 ft                               - 0.20 ft

Monona          845.12                   - 0.20 ft                               - 0.08 ft

Waubesa        844.78                    -0.07 ft                               - 0.22 ft

Kegonsa         843.28                    -0.02 ft                               - 0.22 ft

 

We have received 12.38 inches of precipitation since January 1, 2011.  This compares to a normal of 12.55 inches for the same time frame. 

 

As expected in the last update, Lake Monona has continued to decline.  As a result of the rain event this week, Lake Monona bounced up 0.09 ft.

 

As lakes are near  mid range of their respective water levels, we have been slowly stabilizing flow from one lake to the other.  We have decreased flow out of Mendota, Waubesa and Kegonsa as they are near their  respective mid range levels.  

 

Our weed scout has traveled the river between Lakes Waubesa and Kegonsa on Sunday June 5th and again on  Thursday June 9th.  Vegetative growth is primarily Wild Celery.  We had expected warm temperatures would have accelerated plant growth, but is not the case.  We will continue to monitor this section on a weekly basis. 

 

We have aquatic plant harvesters in Lake Monona, however vegetative density is not very high.

May 28, 2011 Update

The following is an update on lake levels and management strategies for the Yahara chain of lakes provided by the Dane County Land and Water Resources Department.

Elevation        Change from 5/13/2011     Summer Max

Mendota          849.85               -0.10 ft                              - 0.25 ft

Monona           845.32              - 0.05 ft                              +0.12 ft

Waubesa         844.85               -0.06 ft                              - 0.15 ft

Kegonsa          843.30              +0.12 ft                              - 0.20 ft

We have received 8.81 inches of precipitation since March 1, 2011.  This compares to a normal of 8.30 inches. 

Lake Monona had a slight bump of 0.19 ft following the rain event this past week.  We expect Monona to continue to decline over the next couple of days.

As lakes have been nearing mid range of their respective water levels, we are slowly stabilizing flow from one lake to the other.  We have decreased flow out of both Mendota and Kegonsa as they are both at their respective mid range levels.  We continue to maintain full flow at the Babcock Lock and Dam.

Currently there is no vegetation present in the river between Lake Waubesa and Kegonsa.  We are deploying harvesters to areas where historically vegetation grows earliest in the summer

May 13, 2011 Update

                     Elevation       Change from 4/29/2011    Summer Max

 

Mendota         849.95             -0.20 ft                            - 0.15 ft

Monona          845.37            + 0.05ft                            +0.17 ft

Waubesa         844.91            -0.03 ft                            - 0.09 ft

Kegonsa         843.18             -0.18 ft                            - 0.32 ft

 

We have received 7.62  inches of precipitation since March 1, 2011.  This compares to a normal of 6.86 inches.

 

We are holding flow out of  the Tenney Dam steady.  As Lake Monona declines, we will continue to increase flow from Lake Mendota to Monona. 

 

Babcock County Park Lock and Dam remains completely open in full flow condition, since last April.

 

We will continue current flow out of the Lafollette Lock and Dam.  However, as Lake Kegonsa is below mid range, we may slowly reduce flow to keep the lake within its' respective range.

 

The current strategy is to get all lakes to their respective Summer Permit Range.  Pending total precipitation and runoff this weekend, we will continue to move water out of Lake Mendota, at a rate that we can safely pass through Lake Monona.

 

Once all lakes are in range, we will begin to stabilize flows, to get each lake to their mid range level.