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As of Friday, Aug. 20, the water-level of the Chain as measured at the Rest Lake Dam gauge, was 8ft., 6in. This is the maximum allowed under the 1939 operating order. With this reading the dam operator switches to “run-of-river” mode, sending more water downstream. The rains that began at the end of June brought our area back from what the U.S. Drought Monitor calls “extreme drought”. Between 2003 and 2010 we had the highest precipitation deficit of any area in central or northern Wisconsin. But a persistent jet stream pattern carrying southern humidity over cooler Wisconsin air resulted in frequent rains and occasional severe storms. (The Wisconsin tornado count is now 38 for the year, which includes the recent blow-down in the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage.) As of Friday, Aug. 20, the water-level of the Chain as measured at the Rest Lake Dam gauge, was 8ft., 6in. This is the maximum allowed under the 1939 operating order. With this reading the dam operator switches to “run-of-river” mode, sending more water downstream. The rains that began at the end of June brought our area back from what the U.S. Drought Monitor calls “extreme drought”. Between 2003 and 2010 we had the highest precipitation deficit of any area in central or northern Wisconsin. But a persistent jet stream pattern carrying southern humidity over cooler Wisconsin air resulted in frequent rains and occasional severe storms. (The Wisconsin tornado count is now 38 for the year, which includes the recent blow-down in the Turtle-Flambeau Flowage.) State climatologists are now predicting a developing La Nina pattern which should mean rains will be in the range of normal to possibly above normal. It’s too early to predict the fall and winter, but an expected La Nina condition in the Pacific indicates an increased possibility of a cold winter, compared to recent years, and above normal snow. In anticipating the publication of the ongoing Environmental Assessment (EA) from the DNR, there are questions about how recent drought conditions will influence the DNR’s conclusions about future operations of the Rest Lake Dam. Will the DNR’s new operating order for the Dam factor in changing weather patterns? The Manitowish Chain Defense Fund is a coalition of local groups, including the MWLA, that is concerned about future operations of the Rest Lake Dam. The Defense Fund is in regular contact with the DNR. If you have questions about lake-levels and the process the DNR is using to prepare its findings. you can send them to mcdfmailbox@yahoo.com. State climatologists are now predicting a developing La Nina pattern which should mean rains will be in the range of normal to possibly above normal. It’s too early to predict the fall and winter, but an expected La Nina condition in the Pacific indicates an increased possibility of a cold winter, compared to recent years, and above normal snow. In anticipating the publication of the ongoing Environmental Assessment (EA) from the DNR, there are questions about how recent drought conditions will influence the DNR’s conclusions about future operations of the Rest Lake Dam. Will the DNR’s new operating order for the Dam factor in changing weather patterns? The Manitowish Chain Defense Fund is a coalition of local groups, including the MWLA, that is concerned about future operations of the Rest Lake Dam. The Defense Fund is in regular contact with the DNR. If you have questions about lake-levels and the process the DNR is using to prepare its findings. you can send them to mcdfmailbox@yahoo.com. For more information about the MWLA or to join the MWLA: MWLA
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