Public Information Meeting on Aquatic Plant Management: Lakes Mendota, Monona, Wingra, Waubesa, and Kegonsa October 2 and 9, 2017 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Agenda Welcome and introductions Overview of aquatic plant management plans and permits Dane County harvesting program and 2016-17 results Summary of public comments received to date LWRD draft plan goals and recommendations For each waterbody: Plant survey results from 2017 Your comments for 2017 plan update
Aquatic Plant Benefits Support wide range of invertebrates Provide food and shelter for fish Offer food, shelter, and nesting material for waterfowl and shorebirds Provide food for shoreland mammals Improve water quality Protect shorelines Beauty!
Point Intercept Wisconsin Standard Point-Intercept Survey Method Trained aquatic plant specialists Aquatic plant frequency and biomass recording July through August Point grids provided by WI DNR give a representative sample Quantitative baseline data for aquatic plant communities in lakes and rivers across the state
Data is Used in Aquatic Plant Management Plans Depth of maximum rooted growth Species list and comparisons Relative frequency figures Frequency of occurrence for vegetated sites Summary statistics Individual plant species maps Total number of species maps (with and without invasives)
Plans Required for Permits Eurasian water milfoil
Online Resources Aquatic Plant Management Plans Harvesting Priority Areas Harvester Locations (seasonal) https://olwlwrd.countyofdane.com/management/aquatic -Plants/Aquatic-Plant-Management
Dane County Aquatic Plant Management Program Harvest invasive plant species Harvest nuisance plant species Harvest vegetation to aid navigation and recreation Harvest vegetation to increase water flow through the system
2017 Harvesting Staff & Equipment 3 full-time staff Supervisor Crew Leader Mechanic 18 Seasonal 4 Truck Drivers 14 Harvester Operators Equipment: 11 harvesters, 2 barges, 5 elevators, 5 trucks
2017 Estimated Vegetation Harvested Dane County harvested approximately 6,200 tons of vegetation from nine (9) separate waterbodies and their associated waters Lake Totals: Lake Mendota 1047 Tons Lake Monona 2513 Tons Lake Wingra 48 Tons InterLake 76 Tons Lake Waubesa 322 Tons Yahara River 1486 Tons Lake Kegonsa 30 Tons Fish Lake 122 Tons Indian Lake 557 Tons
Harvesting program limitations Staff Equipment Water depth Obstructions Critical Habitat Photo by Mike Kakuska
Survey Results
Waterbody Specific Goals 1. Improve recreational access 2. Identify and protect Sensitive Areas defined in NR 107
Flat-stem pondweed Yellow water lily White water lily American lotus Chara Slender naiad Leafy pondweed Water stargrass Photos courtesy of Paul Skawinski
Overall Recommendations - 2017 1. Conduct large-scale mechanical harvesting outside Sensitive Areas, where Eurasian water-milfoil (EWM) inhibits boating access and recreation 2. Prohibit herbicide treatments and mechanical harvesting within Sensitive Areas 3. Herbicide treatments should focus on selective control of EWM, since valuable species have increased 4. Continue to prevent spread of invasive species 5. Consider options for reducing motorboat impacts to floating-leaf plants in Turville Bay, University Bay and Governor s Island sheltered coves
Recommendations (continued) - 2017 6. Track and monitor high value native species Clasping leaf pondweed Horned pondweed Wild celery Sago pondweed Photos courtesy of Paul Skawinski
Lake Mendota Current Harvesting Priorities
Lake Monona Current Harvesting Priorities
Lake Wingra Harvesting Priorities
Lake Waubesa Current Harvesting Priorities
Lake Kegonsa Current Harvesting Priorities
Yahara River Current Harvesting Priorities
Please tell us: What changes, if any, would you recommend to current plan goals and recommendations? What are your comments about 2017 harvesting?
Questions and Comments Grouped by waterbody; 2-3 minutes per speaker Save time if your comment was already made Submit comments to lakes@countyofdane.com through November 10, 2017