MWLA Newsletter

OCTOBER 2011

GOODBYE TO SUMMER, HELLO TO FALL!

Filthy water cannot be washed. ~ African Proverb

MWLA AWARDED GRANT FOR REST LAKE by Tom Joseph

The Manitowish Waters Lakes Association has been awarded a $25,000 Wisconsin DNR Lake Management Planning Grant to study Rest Lake. The funds will permit an in-depth study of the lake’s aquatic plant communities and water quality, with a special emphasis on Papoose Bay and wild rice, with the goal of making a management plan to protect and enhance the lake’s plants, shorelines and waters.

The $13,000 difference between the total cost of $38,000+ and the grant funds must be made up by a combination of volunteer hours and cash contributions. The MWLA will continue to partner with the Town of Manitowish Waters and the North Lakeland Discovery Center to fulfill the obligation over the grant cycle which has already begun and will last 18-24 months.

 The MWLA has hired the consulting firm Onterra, LLC of De Pere, WI to write the grant and carry out the study. This is the first in what we hope will be a series of planning and education grants over the next five years that will result in a management plan for the entire chain, including the Manitowish River and lakes below the dam.

The finding this summer of more than 20 acres of the aquatic invasive plant curly leaf pondweed in Rice Creek, flowing into Island Lake, makes this very large undertaking necessary and advisable. It will require funding from the Town and other sources, as well as widespread volunteer efforts. We’re happy to report that more than 400 hours of lake monitoring were recorded in summer 2011 by lake captains and deckhands on the Chain. We urge all MWLA members to get involved. It’s as simple as walking down to your shoreline and noticing what plants have washed up, keeping your eyes open while fishing, or taking a pontoon ride on a sunny day to search for invasives.

The ultimate goal is to protect the waters of our Chain. We hope you’ll help. To volunteer, email ais@discoverycenter.net or call Anne Kretschmann, AIS Coordinator at 715-543-2085.

For more information, go to www.mwlakes.com or go to http://discoverycenter.net/aquaticinvasivespecies3.html.

VOLUNTEERS INSTRUMENTAL IN FIGHT AGAINST AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES by Anne Kretschmann

The Town Aquatic Invasive Species Partnership (TAISP), consisting of The North Lakeland Discovery Center (NLDC), the Town of Manitowish Waters (MW), and the Manitowish Waters Lakes Association (MWLA) undertook efforts in 2011 to prevent the introduction of and minimize the spread of aquatic invasive species (AIS) in area waters and wetlands. The NLDC coordinated the 2011 Aquatic Invasive Species Program with the staffing of Anne Kretschmann and Zach Wilson with funding provided by the Town of MW.

We expanded the ‘Lake Captain and Deckhand’ program, the Chain’s aquatic invasive species volunteer lake monitoring program. We trained volunteers to monitor their lake’s shorelines and shallow areas with soft substrates where AIS are most likely to be found. Volunteers have extensive knowledge of the lakes and are out on them often recreationally. This intimate knowledge can help identify infestations early so that they can be managed more efficiently and cost-effectively. We plan to continue to expand this program in the future and encourage folks to simply ‘look in the water’ when they are out.

A high priority at the beginning of the summer 2011 season for the AIS program was to map areas infested with AIS that allows professionals to have all of the information needed to manage AIS in the chain effectively and more efficiently. We verified and mapped where ‘Lake Captains and Deckhands’ reported sightings of AIS.

We offered adult and children’s aquatic invasive species programs and educational materials to the community that focused on raising awareness about ‘the big three’: curly leaf pondweed, purple loosestrife, and Eurasian water milfoil (the only one not currently found in the Manitowish Waters chain).

Curly leaf pondweed is a prolific aquatic invasive plant that usually occurs in waters less than 4 meters deep with a soft substrate. It begins growing early, under the ice and usually dies by mid-summer which has the potential to create dissolved oxygen problems due to algae and decomposition. Curly Leaf Pondweed was first detected in the Manitowish Waters Chain in 2010 (small patches in Island Lake and Rice Creek) by a volunteer ‘Lake Captain’ trained by our program. This year, two more additional areas were identified in the Chain, at the mouth of the Manitowish River at Island Lake (a few plants), and in the Spider-Island Channel (widespread on the Spider Lake end of the channel). The NLDC assisted the Vilas County Invasive Species Coordinator in mapping the population in Rice Creek and it was determined to be approximately 22 acres. The NLDC also assisted the WI-DNR with a Point Intercept Survey of Island Lake and Rice Creek this summer which surveyed the quantity and variety of all aquatic plants present. TAISP is currently investigating management options for control of the curly leaf pondweed in the chain.

Purple loosestrife is an aquatic invasive plant that has a very effective biological control method, Galerucella beetles which eat the leaves and can keep flowers from forming. Numerous populations of purple loosestrife were identified in the chain in 2011 by volunteers. Control methods were employed at both new and old sites. The NLDC and dedicated volunteers pulled non-established, smaller populations; cut flower heads to slow the spread through seeds; and raised and released bio-control beetles in larger, established infested areas.

The Discovery Center is always willing to help you identify any potential aquatic invasive species that you may find in your lake and stream travels in the area. Simply bring a sample by to show us, or take a photograph and email it to ais@discoverycenter.net.

Our aquatic invasive species program could not be successful without the efforts of volunteers. We remain very thankful for their assistance and look forward to working with them in the future as AIS is a long-term issue requiring long-term solutions.

MW LAKE PATROL REPORT  by Officer Jack Arndt, Manitowish Waters Lake Patrol 

After a slow start to summer on the Manitowish Waters Chain of Lakes, activity on the waters picked up through July and early August. It is my perception, however, that overall activity on the lakes was down this year, and has been down for the last 2-3 summers, possibly due to the poor economic environment. This summer I worked just over 200 hours on the lakes, and issued warnings and citations for a number of violations including Slow-No-Wake (SNW) transgressions; water skiing related offenses; personal water craft prohibitions; and various personal flotation device, registration, and unsafe riding violations.

Due to concerns expressed during the summer of 2010 and earlier this boating season, I again spent more time in the SNW zones/rivers to encourage a higher level of compliance through violation stops and a higher enforcement presence. I am aware, of course, that something is always going to happen at a time or day I am not there, but I found a good level of compliance as I cruised rivers or tucked the patrol boat in between piers, etc. setting up a “speed trap”, if you will. I also varied my hours a bit more than in the past, starting earlier in the day or starting later, but staying out until or even after dark; this was meant to send the message that the patrol boat could be out on the water at any time. It is not unusual for boaters to come to the area that the town boat is kept on a lift to see if I’m out on the water or not…. I haven’t found an answer for this tactic quite yetJ!

During the summer of 2012 I will continue to monitor the SNW zones while balancing patrol time with adequate coverage for busy times on the open waters of the lakes. 

As always, it’s been a pleasure to serve residents of the Town and the guests who come to spend time on the beautiful Manitowish Waters Chain. 

MWLA FISH CRIB PROJECT

Recently, the Manitowish Waters Alliance generously contributed $400 to the Fish Crib Project. We have received a number of contributions over the summer months for this worthy endeavor. The Fish Crib article on our web site has been archived, so when you go to www.mwlakes.com click on AIS/Fisheries. At the bottom of "Related Articles" click on "view all related articles". Scroll down to 2011 Fish Crib Project and click on "by Tom and Barb Kramer" to view a photo diary of the project. Maps of Rest and Spider Lakes have been included showing where the current cribs are located. You can also access the Fish Crib Project article by going directly to  http://mwlakes.com/2011-fish-crib-project.html.

We hope to put more cribs in the Chain next winter and add some fish spawning structures near shorelines. We need to raise $2500 for this project, so look for the miniature fish crib donation containers placed in area businesses, and please consider making a contribution to this great project. You can also mail donations to the Manitowish Waters Lakes Association, Inc. P.O. Box 286, Manitowish Waters, WI 54545.

NEWS FROM THE DNR

 - Registration Deadline Extended for Larger Piers

Waterfront property owners have another year in which to complete a free, one-time registration if they have a larger pier that exceeds size standards set in 2004. The registration deadline has been extended to April 1, 2012. A downloadable registration form and other materials to complete the registration process are available on the pier registration page of the DNR website: http://dnr.wi.gov/waterways/recreation/piers_registration.html. For more information contact: Martye Griffin (608) 266-2997-2997.The Vilas County Association of Lakes (VCLA) also has a web site with helpful information: http://www.vcla.us/home/wisconsin-pier-regulations

- Swimmer’s Itch by Sandra Wickman, DNR Water Conservation Specialist

Swimmer’s itch is a common concern throughout our region during the summer and is found throughout the region. About 1/3 of the people who swim come into contact with the parasite develop swimmer's itch. I would advise people that a natural shoreline (native vegetation) often discourages ducks and geese from congregating along the shore. Ducks and geese have been found to carry the parasite that is part of the swimmer's itch cycle. You don't want to feed ducks which causes them to congregate.

As far as I know the Chinese mystery and banded mystery snail have not harbored the shistosomes (parasite). It is a relationship that has evolved with snails native to Wisconsin.

Publications suggest that to prevent getting swimmer's itch you should avoid standing around in the very shallow, very warm lake water. Avoid wading in water where there are lots of snails. Staying out in somewhat deeper water and/or keeping moving such as when swimming will usually prevent the parasites from getting you. It is suggested that when you leave the water you should towel off immediately with a strong rubbing motion then shower with soap and hot water. Some sites suggest that Noxzema works on the itchy areas of the body. There is no cure for swimmer's itch but if symptoms persist, you should call a physician.

Some papers suggest limiting the amount of riprap along the shore. The rocks provide habitat for snails which contributes to the cycle. I am attaching the DNR web site for swimmer's itch: http://dnr.wi.gov/lakes/swimmersitch/ 

The Wisconsin Division of Health also has information: http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/communicable/factsheets/SwimmersItch.htm

Mayo Clinic:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/swimmers-itch/DS00902

- Rest Lake Dam

The DNR has a new website http://dnr.wi.gov/water/basin/upwis/restlakedam/  where you can access information on the current operation of the dam, historical dam operations, the evaluation of the operating order, and an Environmental overview of the Rest Lake Dam.

FLOOD ZONE INSURANCE CONCERN – Letter written by Paul and Sue Koehl to the MWLA (edited for length)

We have owned property on Spider Lake on Point o Pines Road since 1997 and have had a loan written through F&M Bank in Minocqua. The loan was subsequently sold and now is held by Chase. Chase is going through all mortgages in light of various flood issues around the country and requiring all property that is in a flood zone to carry flood insurance. If flood insurance is not obtained, the mortgage company will purchase it and add it to the loan or cancel the loan. Vilas County does not participate in the National Flood Insurance Program so property owners are not eligible to purchase flood insurance through this program but rather have to purchase flood insurance through Lloyds of London or other private special market insurance providers

The 1981 Flood Hazard Boundary Maps are currently in effect. It shows that obviously the lake edges and some of the low lying areas are shaded and in flood zone A, the highest flood risk level. The rest of the property is not in flood zone A. Since our property touches the lake and the flood zone A area, our property is considered high risk flood property for insurance and zoning purposes from FEMA. Properties on Point o Pines Road are all at a significant level above the lake.

The DNR has been contracted to update these maps and has proposed maps which are scheduled to go into effect in June of 2012. Again, it shows the lake edges and at times, some low lying areas as in flood zone A. The rest of the property is not in Flood Zone A. This does not help our situation as our property will still be considered Flood Zone A although we sit 20 feet above lake level.

After many conversations with FEMA, surveyors, zoning and the DNR, we have determined that we must pursue a Letter of Map Adjustment to get our property out of flood zone A determination. We have contracted with a surveyor/engineer to help us with this paperwork. We are awaiting information from the DNR about how this LOMA will work for the updated maps.

It is our hope that the Lakes Association can help spread the word about this process and see if others have had this experience so we can work together to resolve this situation. Please contact us if you have questions. We are happy to share what we have learned with others.

Paul & Sue Koehl  - 715-592-6371 or koehlfam@wi-net.com

RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP

Thank you for supporting the MWLA by sending in your membership renewal. If you have not already done so, please send it in as soon as possible. Your $25 membership dues allow us to “maintain, protect and enhance the quality of the Manitowish Waters Chain of Lakes and other Township Waters”.

We cannot be successful unless we have the support of our membership, so please encourage your friends and neighbors to join our association. Check out our website at www.mwlakes.com for recently posted information such as board meeting minutes, topical lakes-related articles, information on aquatic invasive species, and e-newsletters.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

The MWLA 20th Annual Meeting Picnic/Party is scheduled for Saturday, July 28, 2012 from 3:30 - 6:30 p.m. in the pavilion at the MW Community Center. Check-in will begin at 3:30 with the meeting starting at 4:00, and the picnic beginning about 5:00 pm. The Spring MWLA Newsletter will contain additional information regarding the Annual Meeting.

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Karen Dixon, President                     Manitowish River                   715-543-8141                      

Tom Joseph, Vice President              Rest Lake                   715-543-8362                  

Eleanor Butler, Treasurer                 Alder Lake                 715-543-8401

Marilyn Gabert, Secretary                Manitowish Lake       715-543-8224         

Jim Banovetz                                   Wild Rice Lake                      715-385-2812         

Bob Becker                                      Spider Lake              715-543-2219         

Greg Holt                                         Benson Lake             715-543-8168

Barry Hopkins                                   Rest Lake                  715-904-0480

Tom Kramer                                     Highway 51                715-543-8000         

Merry Perkins                                  Manitowish River                   715-543-2048              

Jim Reichert                                     Alder Lake                 715-543-2647

Robert Stowers                               Manitowish Lake                   715-543-2284

Fred Theisen                                   Island Lake                715-543-8860