The goal of the Lake Management Planning project is to develop a regional framework for cooperation to restore and protect the health of the Winnebago Lakes. This includes facilitating communication among stakeholders (such as residents and lake users) and multiple agencies to advance regional efforts that address topics such as: water quality, habitat, recreation, and aquatic invasive species among others. 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.
If you have any questions or would like to provide input on the project, please contact Korin Doering, Winnebago Waterways Program Coordinator, at (920) 851-0948 or korin@fwwa.org.
Working drafts for sections of the Winnebago Waterways Lake Management Plan are now available for public review and comment: CLICK HERE
Technical Team Progress:
Water Level Management
The Winnebago Lakes Water Level Management report is in final draft form. The draft was sent to the WDNR for initial review.
The WWLAT voted to recommend that the Army Corps use the same strategy that was implemented in 2019 for the coming year (2020). A written recommendation was submitted to the Army Corps in advance of their October meeting.
We are actively looking to fill empty seats on the WWLAT. Top priority is to recruit people who can represent the boating community and shoreline property owners in the four lakes, downstream of the Menasha Dam and in the Upper Fox and Wolf Rivers. If you or someone you know would be interested in representing shoreline property owners and/or the boating community in discussions about water level management in Lake Winnebago, please contact Korin Doering at (920) 851-0948 or korin@fwwa.org.
WWLAT webpage: CLICK HERE
Water Quality
The first full draft water quality report for the Lake Management Plan was completed and sent to the Tech Team, Steering Committee, and Executive Committee for review. We also held the Water Quality Focus Group meeting on October 21st, 2019. We are now working on the second draft to incorporate everyone’s suggestions.
We are actively recruiting volunteers for our 2020 water quality monitoring program. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Korin Doering at (920) 851-0948 or korin@fwwa.org.
Shoreline Practices
We are actively drafting the Shoreline Management Strategy for the lake management plan. We are actively recruiting for the Shoreline Management Focus Group. The meeting is scheduled for November 12, 2019 in Oshkosh at 6:00pm. Space is limited – if you are interested in attending claim your spot by RSVP-ing to Korin Doering at (920) 851-0948 or korin@fwwa.org.
Recreation
Management recommendations for the recreation section of the lake management plan are being drafted based on input collected from lake users.
Click the image to view flyer
Aquatic Invasive Species Tech Team
AIS Strategy is in final draft form and is available for public review and comment: CLICK HERE
Aquatic Plant Management
The Aquatic Plant Management Strategy is in final draft form and was submitted to the WDNR for initial review.
We are working with shoreline property owners in Sunset Bay on Lake Butte des Morts to draft a grant to help fund the development of a site-specific aquatic plant management plan. They held a Town Hall Meeting for Sunset Bay property owners on Tuesday, October 22nd.
Watershed Management
We continue to draft individual HUC12 watershed reports for each of the 32 HUC12s in the project area as part of the Nine Key Element plans that will be included in the lake management plan. The county LWCD staff met on October 23rd, 2019 to begin modeling best management practices on the landscape.
Community Engagement
Drafting the Community Engagement report has been put on hold for the time being as we work to progress other management topics.
Habitat
We began drafting the habitat section of the LMP in the beginning of August. We are currently working on the breakwall section of the report.
Project Outreach and Engagement
Our online presence through our project webpages, e-newsletter, and social media continues to grow. We are up to 707 Facebook followers!
Are you interested in having us present to your group about lake management planning efforts in the Winnebago System? Contact us at korin@fwwa.org.
We invite you to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter HERE.
Winnebago Waterways Steering Committee
For updates about the Winnebago Waterways Steering Committee including meeting agendas and notes, CLICK HERE.
Winnebago Waterways Executive Committee
The last Winnebago Waterways Executive Committee meeting was held on October 24th, 2019. The next meeting is scheduled for January 16th at 1:30pm.
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 Facebook pageor @WinnWaterways on Twitter! You can also sign-up for email updates at WinnebagoWaterways.org.
