The goal of the Lake Management Planning project for the Winnebago Lakes is to develop a framework for cooperation throughout the region to improve upon existing programs and efforts that aim to restore and protect the health of the Winnebago Lakes. This includes facilitating communication among stakeholders (including residents and lake users) and multiple agencies to advance collaborative regional efforts that address topics such as: water quality, habitat, recreation, public health, and aquatic invasive species.
This monthly article provides a summary of project progress as we work to complete the lake management plan (LMP) and move toward implementation of management and project recommendations.
Technical Team Progress:
Watershed Management Tech Team
The Team met at the end of April. Team members are all on board to do what is needed to enhance the lake management plan with the EPA’s 9 key elements. There will be some additional modeling required, but team members are willing to assist with modeling needs for the 23 HUC12 subwatershed in the project area. The LMP will include a prioritized management action plan for watershed management implementation. FWWA is in the process of drafting a list of parameters for the modeling effort. The counties will provide information based on that list. The Team will then get together for a full-day modeling workshop.
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Water Quality Tech Team
The Water Quality team met on May 30th to:
- Discuss the results of the Winnebago Pool Lakes Nutrient Technical Report that was released in February;
- Learn about zebra mussel research being conducted at UW-Oshkosh;
- Discuss how internal loading fits in with the draft Upper Fox TMDL report;
- Determine the next steps for the team.
Meeting results:
The WQ Tech Team will begin drafting a comprehensive water quality monitoring plan for the Winnebago Lakes. Tech team will meet again after TMDL modeling is done to determine if further research is needed and should be included as a recommendation in the LMP.
Habitat, Fish, and Wildlife Tech Team
A sub-group of the Tech Team met with Erin Giese from UW-Green Bay to learn about tools her and her colleagues created for the Green Bay AOC. The tools are used to score habitat quality and monitor project progress. The Tech Team will explore the possibility of modifying their tools for the Winnebago Lakes.
Aquatic Plant Management
The two consulting firms hired to complete the aquatic vegetation surveys this summer met with Ted Johnson (WI DNR), Korin (FWWA), and Austin (FWWA). The conference call was held prior to the sampling season to ensure consistency in monitoring efforts across all four lakes. Sampling will likely begin in July and will be completed before September 1st of 2018. The sampling teams will follow standard DNR protocols, do a visual check for aquatic plants within 6 ft. of the boat, voucher the first finding for each species recorded, record locations of AIS, and record secchi depths on each field day.
The sampling teams will let FWWA know when they plan to be in the field. FWWA will take photos and write up a story to share the work being done with the public. The consultants will also give a presentation (open to the public) once all results have been processed (~early 2019).
Recreational Lake Use, Access, and Navigation
Austin Pethan is meeting with silent sport enthusiasts and developing a short list of questions for boaters/anglers to help inform the LMP process as we work with the Tech Team to draft recommendations. If you have recommendations for contacts for Austin, please contact him at austin@fwwa.org. Korin plans to contact Rob Way with Winnebago County to check-in on his progress with his navigation buoy program.
Aquatic Invasive Species Tech Team
Chris Acy, the Winnebago Waterways AIS Coordinator, continues to make progress on drafting the updated aquatic invasive species strategic plan which will be incorporated into the lake management plan.
Project Outreach and Engagement
Our online presence through our project webpages, e-newsletter, and social media continues to grow. We invite you to follow us on Facebook or Twitter!
Winnebago Waterways Steering Committee
The Steering Committee held their May meeting as planned. The next Steering Committee meeting is scheduled for June 8th, 2018 as a conference call. CLICK HERE for the agenda.
Questions? Contact Korin Doering, Winnebago Waterways Program Coordinator, at (920) 851-0948 or korin@fwwa.org.
Winnebago Waterways is a Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance program. The Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance is an independent nonprofit organization that identifies and advocates effective policies and actions that protect, restore, and sustain water resources in the Fox-Wolf River Basin.
Follow the Fox Wolf Watershed Alliance’s Winnebago Waterways Program on our Winnebago Waterways Facebookpage or @WinnWaterways on Twitter! You can also sign-up for email updates at WinnebagoWaterways.org.
