Lake Winnebago Water Clarity and Aquatic Plant Growth

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/By. County. 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 Lac Water Clarity 1990 -2010 April through October

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 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 23 rd 2010

Same Location June 25 th • 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 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 x 3017 • tedm. johnson@wi. gov • For AIS Grants: – Brenda Nordin • 920 -662 -5110 • brenda. nordin@wi. gov

Questions/Comments