The end of a dry spring and a dry June along with timely rainfall and the closing of all gates bring water levels to the WDNR Operating Order summer level maximum of 776.55 feet above sea level. The Indianford Dam operator intends to maintain that maximum level until October 15, 2021. People are encouraged to observe data from USGS Gauge #05427235 on the USGS link as well as the NOAA site on that link, both on the RKLD website.
The RKLD Board has unanimously approved a letter to Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) to encourage completion of the required wetlands study this year. The results of that study will determine the water level order in the future.
Safety is the number one concern of the Rock Koshkonong Lake District. Lighted navigation buoys have been installed from Rock River near Fort Atkinson to the Indianford Dam. Also installed are rock pile buoys for boater safety as well as channel markers on the railroad bridge across the Rock River and soon, channel markers on the Highway 59 bridge in Newville.
The Indianford Dam water control project has cleared its final regulatory hurdles with WDNR approval of the final design plan as well as Wisconsin Historical Society and U.S. Army Corp approval of this grant driven project. The configuration of the cleaning buoys at the Indianford Dam are being relocated to better screen large debris resulting in the elimination of the unsustainable trash racks. The bid process has started for this project and The RKLD Board will be updating often as the project moves forward.
The landing issue has been a regular agenda item at the monthly Board of Commissioner meetings. The RKLD Board is considering any fair course of action to improve landing and parking issues around the lake per action by the electors at the 2020 annual meeting. A WDNR landing study presented at the June 17th meeting resulting in some recommendations and the decision was to consider costs/benefits to those recommendations. A follow-up to that presentation were several conversations with Wisconsin DNR officials not only about landings but opportunities to work with WDNR engineers for landing and dredging projects as well as grant opportunities for navigation buoys, landings and clean water projects.
RKLD’s current nontoxic working relationship with the WDNR will benefit taxpayers with grant opportunities and project efficiencies. We look forward to working one-on-one with WDNR on projects listed above as well as other lake improvements for all to enjoy.
Chair, Alan Sweeney