Lake Winnebago Water Clarity and Aquatic Plant Growth During 2010

Impacts to Beneficial Uses and Aquatic Plant

Management Options

Sub-Agenda• Two Major Questions submitted to Senator

Hopper’s office• Beneficial Uses • Water Quality• Roles of Aquatic Plants• Impacts to Beneficial Uses• Aquatic Plant Management (APM) Options• Long Term Funding Sources• Questions and Answers

Question #1

• Why isn't the DNR/Corps of Engineers being held accountable for the plan on the water level?

Water Level Management

Question #2

• Why can't we KILL the weeds?

Beneficial Uses of Our Waters

• Scenic Beauty• Swimming• Boating• Fishing• Hunting

Water Quality

• All water quality data collected by DNR is available to everyone.

• http://dnr.wi.gov/lakes/Projects/ByCounty.aspx

– Calumet County (2 Mi from Neenah)– Winnebago County (3 Mi from Oshkosh)– Fond du Lac (Deep Hole-South End)

• Or search “Water quality Reports”

Lake Winnebago Near Fond du LacWater Clarity 1990-2010

April through October

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

Secch

i D

ep

th (

ft)

Finding Data

Finding Data

Finding Data

Finding Data

Water Quality Cont’d

• Data do not always reflect observations• 1960’s

– Algae blooms

• 1972 Clean Water Act– Direct discharge (waste water treatment

facilities) pollution targeted• Industrial facilities, Governments, Municipalities,

some Agricultural facilities

• 1980’s/1990’s– Urban and rural runoff targeted

The Role of Aquatic Plants

• Absorb wind/wave energy• Maintain Clear water• Oxygen production• Habitat

– Fish/other aquatic life– Wildlife

• Nutrient absorption

Submerged Aquatic Plants Typically Become Established

May - June• Plants require sufficient sunlight in early growth phases

• Occurs at depths of lake where light supports photosynthesis

• Turbidity can prevent light reaching aquatic plants

Recreational Response

• “Bad for swimming and boating.”• “Cancellation of backyard activities.”• “Loss of revenue from anglers and

other recreational users.”• “Bad for tourism.”

Fishery Response

• Numerous reports state this is the best fishing (bluegills and perch) that people can remember

• Lake-wide Fishery Assessments– Perch, bluegill and crappie numbers on the rise

• Near shore areas – Spawning, refuge, feeding

• Increase in fish numbers coincides with increased water clarity and the increase in rooted aquatic vegetation.

Fishery Response

• The total impact to the local economy is:

• $234,000,000 annually• Supports 4,300 jobs

Wildlife Response

Best waterfowl hunting in many years• Increase in migratory waterfowl numbers

coincides with increased water clarity and the increase in rooted aquatic vegetation.

Our Mission and Challenge• To manage the system in a manner that

considers all of our beneficial uses so we all may enjoy this great resource.– Short-term

• Aquatic plant management and APM permits– Long-term

• Lake and aquatic plant management planning

– Grant Program

Aquatic Plant Management and Protection Program

• Manual Removal• Chemical Control (NR 107 Permit)• Mechanical Harvesting (NR 109

Permit)

Aquatic Plant Manual Removal• Waterfront Landowner

may cut, rake, and remove aquatic plants in a 30’ area without a permit.

• Cannot use external or auxiliary power: must be a hand-held device.

• Vegetation must be removed from the water body.

South End Lake Winnebago- June 23rd 2010

Same Location June 25th

• Following Rain Event and Wind Shift

Blue Green Algae (Shoreline)

Brighton Beach, Menasha

Filamentous Algae Accumulation

• West Shore Lake Winnebago- July 2010

West Shore Lake Winnebago

• Filamentous Algae

Navigation Relief

Chemical Treatment Millers Bay

• Contact Herbicides and Algaecide

Aquatic Plant Harvester

Harvester Conveyer- Loader

Aquatic Plant Chemical Control Permit Application

Aquatic Plant Management Information

• Chuck Fitzgibbon– 920-424-3061– charles.fitzgibbon@wi.gov

• http://dnr.wi.gov/lakes/plants/• Search “aquatic plants” on the DNR

home page.

Grant Program

• Small Scale, Large Scale, Lake Protection, Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS)

• Qualified Sponsor– Counties, cities, villages, tribes, qualified

non profit organizations• Detailed information available:

– http://dnr.wi.gov/lakes/grants/– Search “Lake Grants” DNR home page

Grant Program• Small Scale Lake Planning Grants

– Education, obtain and distribute information, develop management goals

– 75% of project up to $3,000– Deadlines: February 1 and August 1

• Large Scale Lake Planning Grants– Conduct technical studies – Determine elements of/or complete a

comprehensive Lake Management Plan– 75% of project up to $10,000– Deadlines: February 1 and August 1

Grant Program

• Lake Protection Grants– Land acquisition, wetland and shoreland

restoration, local regulation/ordinance development

– 75% of project up to $200,000• Maximum amounts are dependant on

specific project category

Contacts for the Grant Program

• For Large and Small Scale Lake Planning Grants:– Jay Schiefelbein

• 920-662-5175 or 920-303-5449• jeremiah.schiefelbein@wi.gov

– Ted Johnson• 920-787-4686 x3017• tedm.johnson@wi.gov

• For AIS Grants:– Brenda Nordin

• 920-662-5110• brenda.nordin@wi.gov

Questions/Comments