LAKES CLASSIFICATION MEETING, MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 5 PM LAW ENFORCEMENT CENTER

The meeting was called to order by Chair Wiltrout at 5 PM.

Motion by John Styczinski, Second by Bob Johnson to accept the minutes of the August meeting. Motion carried.

Chair Bob Wiltrout report

The Park Lake core sample helped Ken; it was quite smelly. One should paddle the original Flambeau river bed: It is quite an experience to see how deep the flowage really is.

Ken’s report on Paleocores sampling

 No information will be back for two months. A clear tube, 3” wide, core 5’ long with a 40 lb lead weight is used. It drives itself into the bottom of lake and when retrieved, the top of tube has to be plugged to keep sample from sliding out. Eight lakes are done; also phosphorus testing. It is obvious in stratification from late 1800s when first logging activity started.

Three Lakes #1. Three AC (Bog Lake) retrieves of full core of decayed organic matter. Goal is to see phosphorous concentrations from 150 years ago by studying Diatoms to estimate phosphorus concentration. Cost is approximately $1,000.00 per sample. Thickness of samples from 1’ to 5’ and it varies with compaction of sediment. It is taken from deepest part of lake, located by depth finder.

Question on phosphorous/chlor difference in readings from Dale Woznisk numbers to Ken’s. No explanation. Aklylenities are quite accurate and consistent. High Alkalenity lakes hold phosphorous down.

We discussed criteria to use to decide classification. Nobody does any counties with 250 lakes. We cannot test every lake because of the cost and access. Bob W suggested testing as part of permit process. All lakes are not accessible. Lake access was guaranteed by 1900 court decision. If lakes are not accessible by waterway, then there is no access

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Correlation of phosphorous & Chl incredibly consistent. 99% almost unheard of. Green colored lakes have highest Ph. No argument. Less phosphorous =. Less green color.

Graphs raised questions and answers on various points. Ken P. answered likely reasons for some of the results.

Discussion about the condition of Potato Lake. Potato is comprised of three distinct areas-2 basins and a channel between them. Seems everyone says it’s been green forever.

Ken sampled Hay Creek above the landfill. There wasn’t a good place to sample below the landfill because the creek is so different. It comes through many acres of wetlands.

Vulnerability to development is next handout to look at.

Vulnerability numbers vary from 14-6. Highest # means lowest vulnerability to development. These #’s were compared to the 1999 results.

We also looked at criteria used by other counties. Motion by Bob Lorkowski to use as much information (criteria) as possible. Second by Dale Wozniak. Motion carried.

Should we use soil/slope as criteria. Ken will look at the lakes using all the criteria and see if it makes a difference.

Watershed area makes a difference in vulnerability. Smaller size usually makes a bigger impact.

Motion by Bob Lorkowski to look at all soils/slopes available in SDF for named lakes. Second by B. Nelson. Motion carried.

Management decision matrix was explained. We will be using it more in the coming months.

Rusk County Waters Alliance meeting at Stubbs Town Hall on Friday, September 14 at 6:30 PM.

Jason Gillis reported on the WALS newsletter and verification of information reported.

Ken let us know about previous studies of development effects on water quality.

Discussion about regulations vs. enforcement of regulations.

Next meeting October 8, 5 PM LEC.

We adjourned at 7 PM.