WLMD
30910 Royal Hill Road
Burlington, WI 53105
262-514-3238
info@wlmd.org
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What is WLMD? Board Members Boundary Map Current Projects - Chemical Treatment - Water Quality Testing - Canadian Geese Study |
WLMD Projects
A sampling of the rehabilitation projects undertaken on Wind Lake to date includes: development of a lake management plan, dredging, water quality monitoring, an alum treatment (nutrient reduction), watershed activities, sensitive land acquisition, shoreline stabilization, local lake ordinance improvements, carp removal activities, and aquatic plant control.
Chemical Treatment
Each year, the WLMD, under permit from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), contracts to have problem aquatic plants chemically treated. The treatments are planned to reduce the chemicals used while providing the relief that property owners, and lake users need.
All chemical treatments are conducted by companies licensed by the State of Wisconsin and certified in aquatic plant chemical control. Chemical treatments are supervised by WDNR. All affected lakefront landowners are notified of upcoming treatments, and will receive a copy of the permit applications submitted to WDNR. If an area is treated, bright yellow signs are posted every 500 feet of the treated area to inform the public and the property owners. Signs indicate what chemical was applied, when it was applied, and if there are any use restrictions.
The majority of the treatments conducted on Wind Lake are for algae and Eurasian water milfoil. In general, treatments are only conducted within 150 feet of the shoreline of developed properties when a nuisance exists.
Harvesting
WLMD contracts harvesting when weed conditions are severe. Because conditions on Wind Lake fluctuate from year to year, harvesting is not needed every year. Harvesting is used to open navigational access through large milfoil beds.
Water Quality Testing
The WLMD contracts the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) (a division of the U.S. Department of Interior) to collect water quality information on Wind Lake. There is now a 15 year history of information. Water quality information is very important in planning and implementing lake management activities. The data can show whether or not a project has been successful in meeting its goals, or whether a problem is occurring. It is important to remember that 15 years of data is only a small snapshot in the life of a lake. Trends can be seen only after years of information are available.
Samples are collected in April, June, July, August, October, and February. The data include: dissolved oxygen, nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen), pH, conductivity, clarity, suspended solids, temperature, and others. The most recent information is available at the Annual Meeting in September.
The USGS also maintains an automatic lake level recorder that is located at the Wind Lake Dam. The recorder measures the level of the water in the lake every 15 minutes, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The information is now being uploaded to the USGS web site for almost instant retrieval.
Canadian Geese Study
In several cities in Wisconsin, Canada goose populations have expanded so rapidly that they have become a nuisance. Control methods include the harvest of urban geese for donation to food pantries. This report discusses contaminant testing of tissue from geese that were harvested from urban sites in Minoqua, Wind lake, Bohners lake, and the Town of Brookfield and evaluates the need for consumption advisories. Read More...
