Aquatic & Hydrology Committee Report July 19, 2011
Aquatic Management
AIS (aquatic invasive species) treatments were completed by Bonestroo on May 12th, treating 37 acres of EWM and 16 acres of CLP (Eurasian Water Milfoil & Curly Leaf Pondweed) species.
The first navigational treatments completed on June 22, treating 26 acres in the waterway, for all areas approved by our DNR water specialist, on day of treatment.
Due to late spring vegetation growth was lower in many areas, so not seen as nuisance or limit to navigation.
Our second navigational treatment completed on July 21, with 35 acres authorized for treatment in the river.
On both treatments herbicides are applied at maximum application rate.
Goals are one thing and reality of our situation is another, so no question we are not gaining the results we expect or would prefer. We can get treatment approvals only after the vegetation is considered a nuisance, as these are native plants and we are not allowed to exterminate completely.
Silt chocked shallow areas provide perfect growth areas for heavy vegetation growth and silt is the root cause of most navigational issues.
Hydrology:
Completion of bathymetric map calculations for the volumes of silt within the navigational areas measured are being completed by SEWRPC and expected soon.
Search continues for qualified engineering firms and dredge contractors, to discuss and obtain a project scope of work outline. begin to estimate various cost and project options.
The ESR Project team, Don Baron, Jim Pindel, Dick Kosut and Andres Peekna and I continue to meet monthly with our WI DNR project team, to plan the overall scope of this dredging project.
Project Engineering Management, Core sample sediment sample testing, Land needs for silt storage, financing are the next steps in the project to determine to feasibility of the project.
We repeat the DNR team’s statement that we understand this project may be the largest dredge project in SE Wisconsin if not the State, so funding and management is critical and they will provide positive guidance.
We as owners have an investment in the waterway that in total approaches $500 million dollars.
We all want to restore our waterway to its previous state, removing 3 feet to 8 feet of silt in its current state.
Hydrology and Aquatic Committee Update:
A re-treatment will be applied for navigational access on Thursday July 14th, by our contractor, to all areas pre-approved by WI DNR representative, who will audit and approve areas on Thursday prior to treatments.
Aquatic Management
Bonestroo team will arrive 6/22/2011 approximately 9:00AM, as well as [WDNR] Craig Helker to direct the invasive plant treatment activity.
Hydrology and Aquatic Committee Report June 2011
Aquatic Management
As reported last month, AIS (aquatic invasive species) treatments were completed by Bonestroo on May 12th, treating EWM and CLP (Eurasian Water Milfoil & Curly Leaf Pondweed) species.
Navigational treatments delayed due to waterway drawdown and completion of dam repair will now be rescheduled for this month. Different chemicals will be applied at maximum application rate, on all areas approved by Craig Helker, the DNR water specialist, on day of treatment.
Our goal is to provide treatment for access in all bays and pathways in open areas parallel to shore with access lanes to the waterway as necessary.
Our schedule to treat must allow visible need to treat and planned for the earliest our contractor believes we can obtain the best results based on norms.
Reminder that we cannot get treatment approvals until the vegetation is considered a nuisance, as these are native plants and we are not allowed to exterminate complete as we can with AIS treatments.
Our silt chocked shallow areas provide perfect growth areas for heavy masses of aquatic growth and this silt has become the primary navigational issue.
Hydrology:
Our waterway’s emergency repairs to the dam are completed and our water levels are back to normal depth.
Timely plan and implementation by all agencies involved provided completion of construction work without delay. Cooperation of all individuals and agencies working as a team is most appreciated by the District and our waterway owners. Thank you.
The SEWRPC expects completion of bathymetric maps and calculations for the volumes of silt within the navigational areas measured in the next few weeks.
Search is now underway for qualified engineering firms and dredge contractors, to discuss project and begin to estimate various cost and project options.
ESR Project team, Don Baron, Jim Pindel, Dick Kosut and Andres Peekna and I meet monthly with our WI DNR project team, planning the overall scope of this potential dredging project.
We repeat the DNR teams concern that we understand this project could be the largest dredge project in SE Wisconsin if not the State, so funding and management is critical as they have many, many requirements, but will provide positive support.
WE NEED TO FIND THE MONEY!
Hydrology and Aquatic Committee Report May 2011
Aquatic Management
Treatments by Bonestroo began May 12th for AIS (aquatic invasive species) only, subject to including the EWM and CLP (Eurasian Water Milfoil & Curly Leaf Pondweed) species.
The general treatment areas were identified during the April pre-treatment field survey and chemicals used are targeted to these species.
Targeting these invasive species early limits the amount organic outfall in the waterway. The DNR has preapproved the applications and will Craig Helker was also on site to do a field survey of our waterway and the application.
FYI, the application is now done using an underwater immersion tubing distribution process, an efficient boom-tube system Bonestroo developed, so spraying is no longer used.
Due to the recent dam opening for repair, the navigational species targeted treatments is rescheduled from May 23, to June 6. Different chemicals will be used at maximum application rate, on all areas approved by Craig Helker, the DNR water specialist, prior to treatments. Our goal is to provide treatment to all bays and pathways in open areas parallel to shore with access lanes to the waterway as necessary.
FYI, we cannot get treatment approvals until the vegetation is considered a nuisance, as these are native plants, so we are not allowed to exterminate complete as we are with AIS treatments.
Questions has been asked regarding even treatments between river and lake, please note that previous to the past 3 years the river did not have problems other than the bays, which were always treated. Our flooding in 2008 brought us a new crop of plants and the silted shallow water provides a hydroponic environment for massive growth, as the prolific elodia specie thinks our waterway is a very special place to expand in so has done so big time.
We continue to adjust to conditions every year and this year we do expect the coontail and elodia species will continue to be our biggest problem.
Again, unless the growth is considered a nuisance by the DNR, we cannot treat. Be assured the Commission will be continue monitoring the vegetation growth in all areas prior to treatment date and on site during treatments to be assured our views are represented.
Our schedule to treat must allow visible need to treat and our schedule date is the earliest our contractors believes will obtain the best results based on norms.
Hydrology:
WOW LOOK WHAT WAS FOUND LAST WEEK! A LEAK IN OUR DAM, causing emergency notice to open the dam to drop the water level 4 inches or more per day. The water is was 20 inches lower on May 18.
Many discussions between the DNR and County engineers since early last week and more than can be documented here. Officials and engineers will be at this Thursday’s meeting to provide updated info on the plans to repair the dam and a timetable.
The good news is that Chairman Kosut and Jim Pindel, working with the team from SEWRPC completed the silt depth mapping early this month, measuring almost 400 locations, providing depth of silt and GPS location, for SEWRPC to create a bathymetric map to calculate the cubic yards of silt within the areas measured.
With this mapping we have information to begin search for an experienced project manager.
Commission corresponding with DNR project team, allowing them to placing our project on their calendar and establish resources and continuing project management guidance.
The Commission ESR Project team, including Don Baron, Jim Pindel, Dick Kosut and Andres Peekna, will met with our WI DNR agency again on Thursday, May 19, prior to our monthly WWMD meeting, to continue planning the overall scope of this potential dredging project.
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We repeat the DNR teams concern that we understand this project could be the largest dredge project in SE Wisconsin if not the State, so funding and management is critical as they have many, many requirements, but will provide positive support.
WE NEED TO FIND THE MONEY!
Hydrology and Aquatic Committee Report April 2011
Aquatic Management
The 2011 aquatic plant management and treatments contract award to Bonestroo is confirmed and we are on their schedule for this seasons work, with the pre-treatment survey the next action to completed prior to treatment. Public notice was completed with ads in the Waterford Post and Hi Lighter in February. Commission has issued payment of $1270. To the WI DNR for the permit fee for 2011 treatment permit. Weather changes and work schedules hampered early start for the field mapping to begin survey of waterway and rescheduled with SEWRPC to be begin next week. Chairman Kosut and Jim Pindel have secured a pontoon deck for use as work platform during the sample gathering.
Measurements will provide depth of silt and GPS location for SEWRPC to create a bathymetric map to calculate the cubic yards of silt within the areas measured. Phase one area from the bridge to the mouth of Tichigan Lake is targeted for completion July 1st.
The Commission project team, including Don Baron, Jim Pindel, Dick Kosut and Andres Peekna, met with our WI DNR agency on Friday, April 14th, to continue discussions, to understand together the overall scope of this dredging project.
The DNR has had numerous project meetings since our last meeting in December and come to a conclusion that they can support our dredge project and agreed to provide their support and approvals based on sound biology and natural resource improvement. They continue to emphasis the size of our project and recommend we soon consider interview and hire an experienced project consultant-manager to improve our timetable forward.
Commission will now provide a letter request for action to the DNR team, allowing them to place it on their calendar as a project, to then establish resources and provide continuing project management support concurrent to our silt survey mapping.
The meeting outcome was positive. The DNR team is concerned that we understand this project could be the largest dredge project in SE Wisconsin if not the State, so funding and management is critical as they have many, many requirements, but will provide positive support.
Respectfully,
John Bostrom
Committee Chair
Please go to Special Projects for the Ecosystem Restoration Update