Lake Koshkonong water level controversy
The Rock-Koshkonong Lake District (RKLD) wants to increase the river and lake levels about seven inches in an effort to improve boating and recreation. While we understand and sympathize with this desire, we are concerned about the potential adverse impacts to the more than 4000 acres of wetlands adjacent to the lake.
Nearly half the wetlands have already been lost in Wisconsin. We believe it is important to carefully consider any action that may cause further loss.
Our position
We agree with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' (WDNR) conclusion that raising the water level will likely have the following negative effects:
- Reduced coverage and diversity of plants.
- Increased wave erosion on unprotected wetland shorelines.
- More access to shallow marshes by roughfish.
- Loss of wetlands.
- Reduced aquatic insect populations.
- Degradation of floodplain forests, wet, wet-mesic prairies, sedge meadows and the Newville Carr.
- Habitat loss for amphibians and reptiles.
- Less attractive to waterfowl and furbearers.
These negative effects - and many more - are documented in the WDNR Finding of Fact
(25 KB), which was released April 15, 2005.
Current status (last updated December 1, 2006)
In April 2005, the WDNR partially granted the winter request, but denied the request to change summer water levels. RKLD petitioned for a contested case hearing, which was completed in April 2006. The hearing was heard by an impartial Administrative Law Judge.
A final decision was announced by Judge Coleman December 1, 2006. He upheld the WDNR's decision, which preserves the existing summer water level orders and slightly raises the winter levels.
More reading material
Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Order
(269 KB). This is Judge Coleman's decision announced December 1, 2006
Environmental Impact Report
(49.1 MB). This is the report prepared by the RKLD and submitted to the WDNR in
October 2003.
EIR, Second Response (15.8 MB). This is RKLD's response to the WDNR's request for additional information. Submitted May 2004.
WDNR Environmental Assessment (7.3 MB). Released in April 2005 by the WDNR, this report discusses the potential environmental consequences of granting the request. (Note that the attachments are not included as they would have increased the file to an unmanageable 120 MB.)
WDNR
Finding of Fact
(25 KB). On April 15, 2005 the WDNR announced its decision to partially grant the
winter request and deny the summer request. This report summarizes the reasons for
its decision.