|
||||||||||||
NEWS
Stained Water
Have you noticed that the water near your shore this spring is darker than it has been in past years? Perhaps you can’t see the bottom in places you have in other years?
After low water levels and dry conditions last year, the abundance of water this year has washed natural staining chemicals from the surrounding watershed into the lakes. The dry swamps and bogs are like a giant tea bag containing the dried lignins and tannins, and the warm spring rains wash these organic acids into the streams and lakes. Some lakes (surrounded by large wetlands) are always stained, while other lakes with less boggy surrounding areas are not. This year some lakes on the Chain are stained which are normally relatively clear.
Tannins and lignins are polyphenol compounds common in bark, leaves and seeds. Tannins have been historically used for processing hides into leather; hence the name “tanning.” Tannins are a common food element and are found abundantly in grape skins and provide some of the characteristic taste and some coloration in dark wines. The popular taste of smoked salmon actually comes from tannins that are released during the smoking process. Tannins and lignins found in fresh water streams and lakes do not seem to provide any added noticeable taste and are not harmful when consumed. (Other items in lake water, however, make it inadvisable for consumption!)
How long will the staining last? Will the water clear up again? The water will likely return to its clear state once the supply of the chemicals from the watershed decreases, and the bacteria that break down the lignins and tannins have a chance to return to summer levels. Predicting with accuracy exactly when this will happen is difficult. We know the variables that will affect the timeline but do not know future rainfall totals, the total tannins available, and the ability of the bacteria to affect excessive levels of tannins. The tannins and lignins will not “settle out” just like the color of tea doesn’t settle. Given time, bacterial action and return to normal water levels will cause lake color to return to “normal.” Of course, for many lakes “normal” is darkly stained.
Water Levels
The Three Lakes Waterfront Association (TLWA), along with numerous other groups including the Town of Three Lakes, was invited by the Wisconsin Valley Improvement Company (WVIC), to participate in consultation regarding WVIC’s Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license. There are a number of articles under review, but the one that concerned TLWA the most was Article 421 which encompasses a five-year review of the Operating Plan.
Specifically, our concern is the section in the license held by WVIC which reads:
“The Licensee shall operate the Burnt Rollways reservoir to maintain a water surface elevation between 1,624.21 feet and 1,625.71 feet from May 1 to Oct 31 and between 1,622.96 feet and 1,625.71 feet from Nov 1 to April 30. The Licensee shall set a goal to operate the Burnt Rollways reservoir as near as practical to 1,625.55 feet between May 1 and Oct 31.”
In other more simple terms, the Three Lakes Chain is drawn down during the fall/winter in order to allow for snowmelt runoff and spring rains.
Over the seven and one-half years spanning the period 2003 through May 2010, the cumulative precipitation deficit averaged about 25 inches over the central and northern portions of the Wisconsin River Basin. The drought was most extreme in the far northern portion of the basin. At some reporting stations, the deficit was as high as 35-40 inches. We saw that on the Three Lakes Chain last summer WVIC has precipitation records for Wisconsin dating back to 1890. An analysis of these records shows that the period 2003 through early 2010 was the worst extended drought in history.
Many people last spring wanted a quick fix to the water level problem. There simply are no quick fixes when dealing with Mother Nature combined with what is dictated in a Federal government license which WVIC has with FERC. This is worth stating again. Mother Nature plus FERC license equals a less than immediate solution to low water levels.
Here is the good news. As mentioned at the top of this article, TLWA and the Town of Three Lakes are participating in the review of the WVIC Operating Plan. Because of the concerns voiced last year by entities all along the Wisconsin River, WVIC has proposed a modification to the water levels during extended droughts. Meetings for more input and revisions to plans and reports take place between April and July with final plans and reports due to FERC by mid-July. As stated earlier, change is slow.
As this process continues, the TLWA will keep members posted both on our website as well as the winter newsletter. Hopefully, a fix for low water levels may be on the horizon.
Boat Inspections Remain Top Choice to Slow AIS Spread
This article by Gary Ridderbusch appeared in the Vilas County New-Review recently recoginizing the hard work of volunteers.
Purple Loosestrife
For a complete explanation about the abundance of Purple Loosestrife this year, please read the article written by Brock Woods, Wisconsin Purple Loosestrife Biocontrol Program Coordinator.
2,4-D - The Chemical Treatment
The accepted chemical for treating Eurasian Water Milfoil is 2,4-D, a herbicide that was commercially released in 1946 and has been widely used for over 60 years to control weeds in such crops as wheat, corn, rice and similar cereal crops. It is also found in many lawn herbicide mixtures. For more detailed information about 2,4-D, please visit this site.
Herbicide 2,4-D Deemed Safe if Applied as Directed: DNR
By Ken Anderson, News Correspondent
Vilas County News Review
January 20, 2009Chemical toxicity levels from herbicide application on the Eagle River Chain showed no residual concentrations that exceeded safe drinking water standards and did not pose an environmental risk to fish, state officials have concluded.
The first study of its kind in Wisconsin on the potential impacts of 2,4-D showed that, except for Scattering Rice Lake, chemical concentrations at all sites seven days after last spring’s treatment were less than the safe drinking water standard of 70 parts per billion (ppb).
Funded by a $25,000 grant from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the study involved water sampling in areas where Eurasian water milfoil (EWM) was poisoned in May 2008.
Michael Meyer, a specialist in the DNR’s Bureau of Integrated Sciences Services, told members of the Unified Lower Eagle River Chain of Lakes Commission last week that the chemical is safe if applied according to the directions.
TLWA Newsletters
To view a recent issue of Making Waves, Three Lakes Waterfront Newsletter, click on the issue name below.
Making Waves, Spring 2011 (PDF Document)
Making Waves, Winter 2010 (PDF Document)
Making Waves, Spring 2010 (PDF Document)
Making Waves, Fall 2009 (PDF Document)
Making Waves, Spring 2009 (PDF Document)
Making Waves, Winter 2008 (PDF Document)
Oneida County AIS Newsletter
Three Lakes Waterfront Association ~ PO Box 145 ~ Three Lakes, Wisconsin 54562
Email: Three Lakes Waterfront Association
Disclaimer: The information on the Three Lakes Waterfront Association (TLWA) web site is believed to be accurate and we do our best to update the information and make any necessary corrections as soon as possible. However, neither the TLWA nor any of its officers, directors, committees, representative, or employees (all hereafter included within the term "TLWA") guarantee and/or warranty the accuracy of any of the information contained on this web site TLWA will not be held liable for any inaccuracies or incorrect use of the information contained herein.
For the convenience of those using this web site, TLWA provides links to other web sites operated by third parties. TLWA will not be held liable for any information that may be found on these linked web sites and does not necessarily endorse the opinions, advice or services offered by such third-party web sites.
As a condition of using this web site and the information contained herein, you understand and agree that you do so at your own risk.