Marshall detailed that nitrate ranges within the borrow pit lake had been recorded at 1.6 components per million (ppm), properly under the wholesome 10 ppm degree for consuming water. By comparability, he mentioned, common outcomes for nitrates from numerous oxbow lakes indicated 13.6 ppm nitrate.
Marshall additionally reported that the Science Council launched a brand new conservation aquaculture mission in 2022 to gather Lake Chubsuckers and lift them in permitted ponds on Marshall’s property. Their aim is to inventory fish from ponds above the Prairie du Sac dam on the Wisconsin River, the place oxbow lakes have higher water high quality as a result of there’s much less agricultural land on that stretch of the river.
An viewers member requested what might be accomplished in regards to the excessive ranges of nitrates that polluted groundwater pumps into oxbow lakes?
“Wisconsin doesn’t have a regular for nitrates in floor water, however the Wisconsin DNR is at present within the rulemaking course of,” defined FLOW member Ron Grasshof. “One other optimistic growth for 2022 is the approval of the ‘Nitrogen Optimization Research’ by the Wisconsin Legislature, which invitations producers to make use of grant funds to strive completely different approaches to utilizing nitrogen most effectively on their land and measure the outcomes .”
River security
WDNR Safety Warden Al Erickson, who works out of the Dodgeville subject workplace and covers the western half of Iowa County, applauds FLOW for supporting waterway public security by growing the waterway textual content alert characteristic.
To register, textual content 77295 and embrace the phrase “RIVERWAY” in your message. Subscribers could cease service at any time by texting 77295 with the phrase “STOP”.
“Timm Zumm is a useful useful resource for public security within the decrease Wisconsin River, not solely due to his private response to security incidents, however due to his community of contacts up and down the river,” Erickson mentioned.
Erickson defined that sheriff’s departments alongside the river are additionally implementing textual content messaging into different public security features, resembling utilizing textual content messages to permit the dispatch workplace to attach with the cell telephones of people concerned in public security incidents on the river to find out their precise location. and assess the state of affairs remotely. There’s additionally an app for smartphones known as What Sanzi that residents can obtain and use to assist public security employees reply to emergencies on the river, he famous.
film on the river
Ben Fritz, a filmmaker from the Madison space, filmed a brief movie within the decrease Wisconsin River in the summertime of 2022, with the help of Zumm.
“Since I used to be younger, I’ve all the time wished to be part of making movies,” Fritz instructed Everybody. “After a stint within the movie business in California, I got here again to Wisconsin and now work with younger folks in movie manufacturing.”
Fritz and his crew filmed “Up the River,” which was filmed on the Wisconsin River final summer season, when it is launched in 2023, native residents will likely be notified when and the place they’ll watch it. Fritz mentioned Zumm seems briefly within the film, enjoying a WDNR safety watcher.
Fritz confirmed attendees a quick trailer for the movie and described the theme as “two unlikely shipmates discovering frequent floor and brotherhood on a river.”
River Highlights
Mark Cupp, Government Director of the Decrease Wisconsin Riverways Board (LWSRB), addressed attendees on the convention, emphasizing the “should know” issues to do about riverways.
Cupp famous that two present and one former members of the LWSRB had been in attendance. Present members embrace President Gigi LaBudde and Consultant Dan Hilberry from Richland County. Previous members in attendance included former LWSRB Chair Gerry Dorscheid.
Cupp reported that Wisconsin’s mission to buy Holly Resorts in 2022 utilizing Knowles-Nelson administration plan funds has encountered quite a few setbacks, notably resistance from the Wisconsin DNR.
“The Shifflet household, which owns the property, nonetheless desires to barter a deal, however can not maintain the property indefinitely,” Cupp mentioned. “With the current adjustments in WDNR Pure Sources Committee membership and management, I consider it is going to be worthwhile to strive another time.”
Cupp additionally reported on numerous upcoming initiatives on the Riverway by the Wisconsin Division of Transportation and mentioned the LWSRB participated within the evaluate of mission plans.
These initiatives embrace a deliberate 2023-2024 substitute of the Hwy 130 River Bridge at Lone Rock; a significant mission on Hwy 60 between Gotham and Muscoda that’s anticipated to shut that part of the freeway for 1-2 years , deliberate for 2024-2025; deliberate for 2027-2028 to exchange the County T Bridge on the Blue River.
Cupp reported that he was concerned within the deliberate celebration of the 350th anniversary of the Marquette & Joliet voyage of discovery on the Prairie du Chien. A fundraiser known as “Fete du Voyageur” will likely be held on the Dousman Home on February 18, and a bigger occasion is deliberate for June 16-18, he mentioned.
Cupp lists initiatives that FLOW members are advocating for that might assist in 2023. These embrace encouraging state legislators to extend funding for the Knowles-Nelson administration plan and totally fund conservation staffing for the county conservation division, in addition to advocating for the state’s Clear Water Initiative.
“I’m so grateful for all of the FLOW members have accomplished at Riverway, together with the ‘Children Do not Float’ kiosks, scientific committee analysis, training and outreach, public security initiatives, volunteer work at Frank’s Hill and the Blue River Sand Barrens Day, and assist for Voyageur Canoe Journeys,” Cupp mentioned. “FLOW is a dynamic group and your efforts will change the world.”
