A PROPOSAL TO "SAVE THE LAKE"
History of Lake Montello
1. Type of Lake- Drainage Lake of 327 acres
2. Age of lake – over 125 yrs old
3. Research on drainage lakes longevity and outlook on control of weeds within DNR oversight
2. Age of lake – over 125 yrs old
3. Research on drainage lakes longevity and outlook on control of weeds within DNR oversight
History of the types of interventions used to control weeds on Lake Montello
1. Use of weed harvester
2. Use of chemical herbicides to control
3. Use of drawdowns (last draw down in 2013). 3 drawdowns 2002-02; 2008-09; 2013-14
4. Never used dredging
2. Use of chemical herbicides to control
3. Use of drawdowns (last draw down in 2013). 3 drawdowns 2002-02; 2008-09; 2013-14
4. Never used dredging
What is Dredging?
Dredging is the act of removing silt and other material from the bottom of bodies of water.
Types: Mechanical: uses a bucket to scoop up sediment and move it to a barge or other container. Usually cheaper but loss of lake use for longer periods of time.
Hydraulic: vacuums sediment from the lake or river bed after it’s loosened with a drilling cutter head. Usually more expensive but less loss of lake use
Types: Mechanical: uses a bucket to scoop up sediment and move it to a barge or other container. Usually cheaper but loss of lake use for longer periods of time.
Hydraulic: vacuums sediment from the lake or river bed after it’s loosened with a drilling cutter head. Usually more expensive but less loss of lake use
Why should we consider dredging?
There is a large amount of sediment in the lake.
We have an obligation to maintain and improve the lake for not only our personal use but also for the citizens of Montello and future generations.
Drawdowns only offer temporary relief and could kill fish if performed incorrectly.
Weed Harvesting is not effective any longer. So shallow, too many weeds.
Property values will decrease due to decreasing ability to use the lake for recreational use
We have an obligation to maintain and improve the lake for not only our personal use but also for the citizens of Montello and future generations.
Drawdowns only offer temporary relief and could kill fish if performed incorrectly.
Weed Harvesting is not effective any longer. So shallow, too many weeds.
Property values will decrease due to decreasing ability to use the lake for recreational use
Dredging projects in the south and central Wisconsin area:
Madison: Yahara Chain of Lakes:
Type of dredging employed: Hydraulic dredging over several phases
Cost: 5 phases and very long period of time 10 to 15 million
Whitewater Lakes: Cravath and Trippee Lake
Type of dredging employed: Prolonged Draw down and dredging over a 2-3 yr period
Cost- approx. 1.3 million
Lake Redstone: is a man-made lake in Sauk County constructed in 1964, 612 acres
Type of dredging employed: Combination of mechanical and hydraulic
Cost: 3.5 million
How can we pay for the cost?
Follow Lake Redstone Protection District of using a tax levy that per state regulations is paid off over a 10 yr plan
So, what needs to be to start this process:
Formal committee appointment to work on a lake sedimentation study for the feasibility of dredging in Lake Montello
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO GET INVOLVED, PLEASE CONTACT:
Mimi Pierson
815-378-0317
Mpierson0869@gmail.com