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Click here for a printable version
(PDF) of the Spring 2005 issue. Lake
Tides - The
newsletter for people interested in Wisconsin Lakes
- a quarterly publication of the University
of Wisconsin-Extension Lakes Program - part of the
Wisconsin Lakes
Partnership.
Volume 30 No. 2 Spring 2005
Text-only version (HTML format)
The Invisible Fish: Small Fish As Bio-indicators
What's the Latest About Piers
Revised Shoreland Zoning Standards
Night Bowfishing: Some People Are Carping About It
Aeration: Destratifying the Myths
APM Online
Holey Moley! Star-nosed Mole Lives by Lakes
Water In Our Veins: Celebrating Lake Volunteers
Celebrating a Retirement
Thrills & Chills: Fireworks on Our Lakes
Wisconsin
River of Words
Self-Help Lake Monitoring
Calendar
Reflections
The Invisible
Fish:
Small Fish As Bio-indicators
Many of the changes to our aquatic
environment are invisible. They are caused by everyday actions,
habits, traditions and routines. Resulting changes are slow,
unnoticed, and unremarkable. When a change starts with the
disappearance of small, overlooked creatures, it is only observed
by those who are really looking.
Results of the 2004 surveys revealed statistically significant
declines in numbers of both native species and
environmentally-sensitive near-shore species. The findings
revealed declines for both species groupings in 11 of the 13
lakes. The lake with the
poorest water quality, the only eutrophic lake of the 13, actually
supported the highest numbers of both native species and
environmentally sensitive species in 2004. The eutrophic lake also
had the lowest amount of shoreline development based on the pier
density surveys. Comparing the 2004 lake data sets alone, the
numbers of native fishes and environmentally-sensitive fishes
declined as pier densities increased.
What does the inverse relationship between pier
densities and fish diversity mean? First of all, water quality is
eliminated as a factor based on the types of lakes sampled and
collective data results. Declines of several habitat-sensitive
species suggest shoreline habitat changes. In one of the lakes,
pier numbers tripled from 1950 to 1996. Shoreline development can
assume many forms including piers, shoreline armoring,
suburbanized landscaped shores, powerboat scour, and mechanical or
chemical aquatic plant removal. Species such as least darters,
pugnose shiners, blacknose shiners and banded killifish are
sensitive to aquatic vegetation loss. Their declines may reflect
aquatic vegetation loss from the cumulative effects from numerous
types of development.
Piers providing public and private access to
public waters are the most common form of shoreline development.
Piers can alter habitat by directly shading out aquatic plants
underneath. Activities around piers such as motorboat mooring and
scour can expand the loss of aquatic plant habitat beyond the
shaded zone. Both direct shading effects and indirect effects of
powerboat scour have been reported from studies conducted in the
eastern U.S.
In 2004, DNR biologists monitored the shading
effects at 26 piers from two of the 13 survey lakes. Sampling
design included submersible light measurements, shaded and
unshaded aquatic plant sampling, aquatic invertebrate sampling and
minnow trap
surveys. Results were consistent with previous studies that
documented loss or reduction of aquatic plant habitat due to
shading under piers. The study also revealed a reduction of
aquatic invertebrates that coincided with reduced plant growth
while juvenile sunfishes were significantly more numerous within
aquatic vegetation than under piers. The near-shore fish study
will continue with detailed map analysis to determine if land use
changes correlate with native fish diversity.
Enjoying our time at the lake is a privilege that is filled
with fun and joy but comes with some responsibilities. It is
becoming more and more apparent that what we do on the lake can
cause positive or negative change. These signs of change may be
asking us: What price are we willing to let other species pay for
our pleasure?
By Dave Marshall, WDNR Water Resources Management Specialist,
Fitchburg
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What's the Latest About Piers?
DNR continues to work on revising NR 326, the
state’s pier rules, in response to 2004 legislative changes. DNR
habitat protection staff are evaluating comments from over 300
citizens and organizations, and will use them to develop a final
proposal for consideration by the Natural Resources Board. The
rules must be approved by the board and by lawmakers before they
go into effect, not likely until late 2005.
Most piers do not need a DNR waterway permit under
the new law. An updated Pier Planner brochure available from DNR
explains how to design and locate a pier that meets the law,
avoids needing a permit and minimizes environmental harm. Piers do
not need a permit if they are no more than 6 feet wide, are only
as long as you need to dock your boat or reach a water depth of 3
feet, and have no more than two boat slips for the first 50 feet
of frontage and one slip for every additional 50 feet of frontage.
Piers exceeding these dimensions must get a one-time, individual
waterway permit and review from DNR. When the proposed permanent
rules are completed, other quicker, less expensive permit options
will be available for some larger piers. Until those permanent
rules are in place, people with existing larger piers can continue
to install them as before, while anyone seeking to install a new
larger pier for the first time must seek a DNR individual permit.
More information and the updated Pier Planner are available on
DNR’s website at
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/fhp/waterway/piers.shtml.
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Revised Shoreland Zoning Standards
The state is releasing a draft proposal that
updates 35-year-old rules governing waterfront development and
reflects two years of citizen advisory committee meetings, eight
listening sessions and thousands of public comments.
Todd Ambs, top water official for the Department
of Natural Resources, says the proposal gives landowners
significantly more flexibility on their waterfront but upholds the
state’s Constitutional responsibility to protect the lakes and
rivers that
belong to all Wisconsin citizens.
It outlines changes to Chapter NR 115 of the
Wisconsin Administrative Code, which generally sets statewide
minimum
standards in unincorporated areas for lot sizes, how far buildings
need to be set back from the water, limits on cutting trees and
plants, and other rules intended to protect water quality, fish
and wildlife habitat, and natural scenic beauty. The proposal
represents the sixth individual draft DNR has developed in
response to advisory committee and public comments.
Under this proposal, requirements for minimum lot
sizes for single family homes and the building "setback" of 75
feet would remain the same. Where the current rule limits
alterations, additions or major repairs to 50 percent of the
structure’s current equalized assessed value over the life of the
structure, the proposal eliminates that 50 percent rule.
It significantly increases flexibility on
repairing, rebuilding, and even expanding existing structures that
are closer to the water than the current setback requirement.
Property owners making major changes to a nonconforming structure
would be required to take steps to mitigate or offset the impact
of their actions on clean water and habitat in the portion of
their property right next to the water, called the primary buffer.
When owners of nonconforming structures start a
building project that requires a building permit or some other
county permit, they would be required to take actions to mitigate
the potential impacts of their project on the primary buffer. They
would have to restore native vegetation within the 35-foot primary
buffer; get their septic system inspected and upgraded if
necessary; develop an erosion control plan, and control for the
impact of the hard or "impervious" surfaces on their property that
contribute to runoff. They may also be required to remove
accessory structures within the 35-foot primary buffer that do not
have an exemption.
The net result of the proposed changes to NR 115
is that over time, more primary buffers will be restored with
native plants and trees that can do a better job of filtering
pollution and providing habitat.
To view the draft proposal, and all of the other
materials that the advisory committee and DNR have reviewed and
developed since starting the revision process in fall 2002, go to
DNR’s Web site:
http://dnr.wi.gov, and use the drop down topic menu and select
"shoreland management."
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Night Bowfishing: Some People Are Carping About It
’Twas the night
before Independence Day and out on the water,
not a creature was stirring, not even an otter.
The fish poles were set by the screen door with care
in hopes that a lunker soon would be there.
The children were
crashed on the cots in their rooms,
While they dreamt of fireworks and all the big booms.
And mom and I with sparklers, ready for the 4th,
Had just settled down from the long drive ‘Up North.’
When out on the
lake there arose such a roar,
I ran to the pier; I’d never heard it before.
The din of a generator was filling the night,
Joined by loud voices and a very bright light.
Does the above scenario sound familiar? A new
twist on the sport of bowfishing, night bowfishing, is coming up
on some people’s radar screens. The question seems to be: Is it an
aggravation or a great way for people to take part in a sport that
can lessen the population of a nuisance fish?
Bowfishing of rough fish (carp) during daylight
hours has been legal in Wisconsin for many years. In 1999 state
laws changed to allow bowfishing with lights at night. Darkness
makes it easier to find, see and get close enough to carp to shoot
them with a bow and arrow. Night bowfishers also feel there is
less competition for space at night, compared with the more
traditional daytime uses of a lake such as water skiing, swimming
and angling. Nighttime harvests typically far outweigh daytime
kills. On an average night a skilled bowfisher may shoot 200-300
carp. At 5-20 pounds a piece, that’s a lot of carp! A buffalo fish
(sometimes called carp) can weigh up to 69 pounds.
Carp are the primary target for bowfishing. In
most waters, carp are considered a nuisance species that can have
an adverse impact on water quality, aquatic plants and other fish
species. While bowfishing certainly removes carp from a waterbody,
it rarely puts much of a dent in reducing a lake’s total carp
population.
State law requires that any fish shot with an
arrow must be taken out of the water and disposed of properly.
Bowfishers arrange for carp disposal before they go out. Carp are
used for gardens, composting or sometimes food.
Bowfishers formed the Wisconsin Bowfishing
Association in 2000, shortly after the law allowing night
bowfishing was passed. This organization supports bowfishing
enthusiasts and also sponsors night bowfishing tournaments.
Participation in the activity is still very small; less than 500
people have tried night bowfishing in Wisconsin.
Boats are typically used and must be wide enough
to provide a stable platform. According to Matt Harris,
President of the Wisconsin Bowfishing Association, bowfishers can
spend anywhere from $1,000 to $50,000 on a boat outfitted with the
needed equipment such as generators and lights, but generally
spend between $5,000 and $12,000. A trolling motor helps them
maneuver in shallow water. A new trend is the use of "airboats"
(those we typically associate with the Everglades) which use
motors to power propellers above water, mounted in the stern.
These boats can operate easily in shallow water, but some people
are concerned about the noise they make.
The issue seems to be less the taking of carp and
more the concern over the noise and lights. Some boats light the
water with 250-500 watt halogen lights, which can reflect off the
water. These lights are powered by generators that can be noisy
and people may need to speak in a loud voice to be heard over the
noise. Because sound carries so easily across the water, these
noises may bother some lake residents.
Other issues are the potential disturbing of
spring spawning of musky and northern and the number of
bowfishers. A common way for night bowfishers to operate is in a
tournament setting. During tournaments in Wisconsin, up to 50
teams have competed to see who can shoot the most carp. As many as
3000 carp have been taken in a given night.
Sometimes lake organizations see bowfishing as a
great way to reduce unwanted carp and encourage bowfishing. Lake
organizations on large shallow lakes with sizeable carp
populations such as Beaver Dam Lake and Petenwell/Castlerock may
sponsor tournaments and even pay a small "bounty" per carp.
Currently, night fishing with bow and arrow is
limited to 53 lakes in Wisconsin. A new bill was recently
introduced by Senators Zien, Brown, Reynolds and Grothman (Senate
Bill 158) which would open up more waters of the state to
bowfishing.
Conflicts can occur when public waters and private
lands come together. Some property owners have complained of their
peace being disturbed by night bowfishers. The Wisconsin
Bowfishing Association contends they are doing a service by
removing the nuisance fish and that any trouble in their sport
comes from a minority of the participants. The association polices
their own sport. Most bowfishers try to stay away from developed
areas and may attempt to finish their hunting by a reasonable hour
when most folks would still be awake and common household noises
like TVs would cover some of the sounds.
Bowfishing is another example of the proliferation
in quantity and variety of water recreation experiences. If
this sport grows at the pace that some predict, there may be more
bowfishing on more waterways. Like so many recreational lake uses,
solutions to conflicts will likely involve compromises, such as
time and space limits.
For more information about SB 158, contact your state
legislator, or go to
www.legis.state.wi.us/2005/data/SB158hst.html. For a list of
which lakes can be bowfished or more information about the
Wisconsin Bowfishing Association, go to
www.wibfa.com.
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Aeration: Destratifying the Myths
For the past few decades,
aeration has been used in lakes in an attempt to cure a whole host
of ailments. However, reality sometimes falls short of the
expectations. Aeration can be an effective tool for some lake
management objectives, but not all lakes and lake issues are the
same, and neither is the use of aeration as a management
technique. Once you understand your lake’s symptoms you can better
determine if aeration is right for your lake. Let’s look at three
lake management concerns where aeration is considered as a
management tool.
Fish Kills
Using aeration on "freeze out" lakes can be a tool
if, in fact, there are fish kills from a lack of Dissolved Oxygen
(DO). Ice cover on some lakes (usually shallow and small lakes)
can get so thick that the volume of water for certain fish species
is too small to hold the necessary DO levels to sustain life
through the winter. In those cases fish actually
suffocate and in the spring, the victims can be seen floating or
washed up on shore. An aerator can help increase DO levels to some
degree. This is achieved by adding DO
directly to the water column or by maintaining open areas in the
ice where gas exchange with the atmosphere can occur, which keeps
sufficient oxygen in the lake. One concern to keep in mind is the
question of safety. Aeration keeps ice from freezing, so making
sure the open water area is
properly marked as a thin ice area is vital.
Destratification
Another way aeration can be employed is during the
summer to mix water in the lake through a technique called
"destratification." Air is pumped through a network of
perforated pipes to generate air bubbles. The air bubbles are not
necessarily needed for adding DO but they act as a mechanism to
erode a layering effect in the water column caused by different
water temperatures. The border between the layers is called the
thermocline. As some lakes stratify, the bottom layer (hypolimnion)
becomes anoxic (low DO) because it does not mix with the
oxygen-rich upper layer of water (epilimnion). The hypolimnion
changes to a chemically reduced state and there is much less
oxygen in this bottom layer than in the upper layer. Dissolved
oxygen levels can be so low that fish cannot survive for long and
because of the reduced chemical state, nutrients are released from
the sediments back into the water.
While some lakes stratify annually, others that
are not as deep may weakly stratify temporarily, only to have a
windy day mix it all up again. Lake managers call this condition
polymictic. When a lake weakly stratifies and the hypolimnion
begins to release nutrients, a strong wind can break the weak
thermocline that separates the layers and re-circulate those
nutrients back into the water column. Nutrients like phosphorus
are now available and can cause algae to bloom. In these cases,
aeration can be used to prevent a lake from stratifying, thereby
eliminating an anoxic, nutrient-rich hypolimnion.
Does this mean that all lakes that stratify should
use aeration to break up the thermocline? No… Stratifying is a
perfectly normal process in deep lakes. However, some lakes have
increased nutrient loads due to human activities. The combination
of excess nutrients and a polymictic lake can create a "nutrient
pump" condition.
Aeration in this situation may be a management
tool, but consult with your local lake coordinator and other
unbiased professionals before pursuing this technique. This type
of aeration has been employed in some Wisconsin lakes and has been
successful. However, a project of this size takes careful planning
and sampling to assure adequate aeration is occurring. It is
possible to create zones of anoxic water that are continuously
supplying nutrients even when the air pumps are running!
Decreasing sediments
Using aeration to decrease organic matter ("eat
muck") is sometimes attempted and often unsuccessful. To date,
very little research supports aeration as an effective means to
decrease muck in the lake bottom. Research and anecdotal evidence
shows that aeration works to break down organic matter in some
cases. Wastewater treatment plants, where influent water is very
rich in organic compounds, can have up to a 1000 times more
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) than lakes. With that much BOD
(which comes from organic matter), adding oxygen will increase
bacteria which in turn break down organic matter. The wastewater
industry has taken advantage of aeration to significantly reduce
the organic matter in wastewater. Even with all the aerators
working, treatment lagoons still accumulate sludge in the bottom.
Using aeration in a wastewater setting works, but
using it in a lake to decrease organic matter (muck) doesn’t
always work. Research by Engstrom and Wright (2002)
summarized that there is "...no evidence that aeration has
enhanced the oxidation of organic matter." Despite a lack of
evidence, some lakes still use aeration to attempt to reduce muck
and cite an actual increase in depth near the aerators. It’s
important to remember that muck is very fine and can be easily
re-suspended. In these situations, the question to ask is: Was the
increase in depth due to oxidation (was the muck eaten by
bacteria?) or did the sediments get
redistributed (blown away) only to reach the bottom someplace
else?
Take a look at the sources of nutrients and
organic matter in your lake. Aeration can be a tool to employ on
some lakes, but many things need to be considered. First define
the objective and decide if it is worth the expense, then consult
with many people to see if the application is right for your lake.
by Scott Provost, Water Resources Specialist,
WDNR, Wautoma
Engstrom, D.R. and Wright, D.I. 2002.
Sedimentological Effects of Aeration-Induced
Lake Circulation. Lake and Reservoir
Management 18(3): 201-214. North American Lake Management Society.
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APM Online
Understanding the role of aquatic plants in the
ecology of your lake is a cornerstone to developing a sound lake
management plan. Aquatic plants are as central to our lakes and
rivers as the trees are to the forest. Loss or major changes in
the make-up of aquatic plant communities can cause an unmendable
tear in the fabric of a water body’s aquatic ecology. The Aquatic
Plant Management (APM) guide is designed to help you navigate
through the world of APM in Wisconsin, including understanding
laws and permits, planning, control strategies, and where to go
for assistance.
A draft of the APM guide can be downloaded at
www.uwsp.edu/cnr/uwexlakes/ecology/APMguide.asp. Comments on
the draft guide are welcomed.
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Holey Moley! Star-nosed Mole Lives by Lakes
On the banks of lakes, streams and ponds, and in
wet meadows and marshes, lives a tiny, furry creature whose name
you may have heard, but most likely have never seen. The creature
is 6 to 8 inches long and weighs a mere one or two ounces. It has
short, brown, dense fur and a long, scaly tail that is covered
with coarse hair. It’s a star-nosed mole (Condylura cristata),
and its remarkable nose makes it very unique.
While humans use their nose primarily for the
sense of smell, the star-nosed mole uses it to touch things. The
little star-nosed mole has perhaps the best sense of touch of any
mammal. While "star-nose" might make you think of a nose with five
points, in actuality its hairless nose is ringed by 22 pink,
fleshy tentacles. There are 11 of these short tentacles on each
side that make up the star. Each tentacle is covered with tiny
bumps called Eimer’s organs. Each Eimer’s organ has three types of
sensors, two of which are found in the skin of other mammals. The
third type of sensor is unique to the star-nosed mole. This third
sensor is thought to give the mole the ability to identify objects
by their microscopic texture. The star possesses over 25,000
Eimer’s organs in a space less than 1 square centimeter, making it
incredibly sensitive.
The tentacles at the bottom of the star have the
greatest density of Eimer’s organs, and are probably used to
identify prey. The star-nosed mole, being a burrowing animal and a
carnivore, eats worms and insects. It prefers, however, to hunt
aquatic prey such as leeches or dragonfly and caddisfly larvae,
among other aquatic macroinvertebrates. The mole will occasionally
take crustaceans, mollusks and small fish. A star-nosed mole finds
prey by feeling its surroundings with the tentacles on its nose.
The tentacles move so rapidly they appear to us as a blur of
motion, touching up to 12 objects in one second. When the mole
encounters a possible food item, it focuses the lowest, shortest,
most sensitive tentacles on the prey. Using these supersensitive
organs, the mole can identify the prey in under half a second. If
the encountered item promises to be a tasty treat, the mole will
put its 44 sharp and pointy teeth to work.
Like many other moles, the star-nosed mole digs
networks of tunnels through moist soil. Although they do spend
more time on the actual surface than other moles, when they burrow
the tunnels are often deep enough to be hidden from our eyes.
Occasionally they will dig close enough to the surface to cause a
raised ridge to appear. When the soil from these ridges pushes out
to the surface, we find "molehills." Unlike other moles, however,
the star-nosed is semiaquatic, so its tunnels may open under the
surface of a stream or lake. The little mole with big paddle-like
front feet is a good swimmer, using its front and hind feet to
move through the water with a characteristic zig-zag motion. It
will even swim under the ice, as the star-nosed mole is active and
foraging all winter long.
This time of year, baby moles are being born.
Although not much is known about how the star-nosed mole goes
courting, it does seem that males and females pair up as early as
autumn and remain together throughout
winter and into the mating season of March and April. (They are
monogamous for this time, but may find new mates for the next
breeding season.) They build a nest in a
tunnel above the high water line, lining the nest with leaves and
other vegetation. Between April and June, an average of five young
are born in a litter. The little ones fend for themselves after
three weeks, and are ready to raise their own baby moles by the
following spring.
While this reproductive lifestyle sounds like it
could lead to a lot of moles in little time, mole population is
kept in check by predators. Since it spends time underwater as
well as above ground, the star-nosed mole is vulnerable to many
types of predators. From the air, owls hunt moles by night, and
hawks search for them by day. Skunks, weasels, and fishers, as
well as domestic dogs and cats, pose a threat on the ground.
Underwater, the bullfrog and large-mouth bass find moles to be a
good lunch. The mink, who is also semiaquatic, hunts moles both on
land and in water. Besides providing a food source for many
animals in wetland ecosystems, the star-nosed mole makes a good
citizen by
providing aeration to the roots of plants through its tunneling
activities.
Next time you find that molehill in your yard,
think of the little star-nosed mole, master of touch, going about
his life in and around the lake. His tentacled nose might make him
less than cute and cuddly, but he makes an important contribution
to the overall health of his, and your, ecosystem.
By Mary Pardee, Lake Education Specialist,
UW-Extension Lakes Program
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Water In Our Veins: Celebrating Lake Volunteers
Over 500 people gathered in Green Bay this past
April for the 2005 Wisconsin Lakes Convention to discuss the
issues that face our water resources today. Many of the
discussions focused on the theme of volunteerism and leadership,
as citizen efforts such as water quality monitoring are becoming
increasingly important to our state’s natural resources.
Governor Jim Doyle joined the attendees to discuss
the importance of conserving lakes and other resources, as did
Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager, State Representative Scott
Gunderson, and DNR Secretary Scott Hassett. Dave Jones from
StormCenter Communications, Inc. showed examples of ways that the
media can deliver educational information about the environment.
The packed agenda included over 100 speakers, with 56 concurrent
sessions to choose from and many exhibits to peruse.
The Wisconsin Lakes Partnership congratulates the
following winners of the 2005 Lakes
Stewardship Awards:
Lifetime Achievement – Elmer Goetsch
Public Service – Patrick "Buzz" Sorge
Individual – Sandy & Fred Anderson, and Wayne Towne
Youth – Liberty Go-Getters 4-H Club
Group – Pike Lake Chain of Lakes Association
Mark your calendars for the 28th annual Wisconsin
Lakes Convention to be held in Green Bay, April 20-22, 2006.
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Celebrating a Retirement
After 31 years of working for the Wisconsin
University System, Sally Marchel Handrich is retiring! Sally has
served as the office manager for the UWEX-Lakes office for the
past two years. Before she came to us, she worked 23 years for
UW-Extension in Madison and six years in another UW-Stevens Point
department.
While Sally will miss working with the Lake
Leaders Institute, the Wisconsin Lakes Convention, and lake
organization volunteers, she has many plans. Her gardens will be
featured in the Waupaca area Garden Walk & Art Stroll, scheduled
for June 25. Of the 180 varieties of hosta she grows, Sally’s
favorite is called "guacamole."
Besides spending more time with her gardens and family, which
includes two dogs and three cats, Sally has plans to travel to
Pennsylvania, Arizona and Jamaica this year. We will miss her, but
wish her the best of luck and lots of fun in a well-deserved
retirement!
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Thrills & Chills: Fireworks on Our Lakes
It was a black and sultry night. Not a
breath of air was stirring. The lake’s surface was as flat as
glass. The first starburst lit up the sky in a wild and sizzling
display of crimson and white. The water mirrored an exact
duplicate, doubling the visual thrill…the Independence Day
celebration had begun.
How do you remember the Fourth of July at the
lake? Barbeques, sparklers, boat parades around the lake? Here, at
the UW-Extension Lakes office, phone calls about the Fourth of
July sometimes go like this: "What can I do about my neighbor? My
canvas boat awning burned off from falling hot fireworks, my beach
is full of a nasty procession of scorched cardboard and plastic
remains, the smoke makes us sick and I haven’t seen my dog in two
days! Not to mention what that noise is doing to the loons!"
Fireworks around Independence Day are certainly an
American tradition. Firing them over the water seems to be a "no
brainer" as far as fire safety is concerned, yet doing so can
cause human explosions. So what about fireworks around the lake?
Fireworks are big business in the USA. According
to the U.S. Census Bureau, the value of fireworks imported from
China in 2003 was $163.1 million, representing the bulk of
fireworks imports to this country. In 2003, the U.S. consumed
220.8 million pounds of fireworks. Fireworks consist of a wide
range of products with a highly variable
composition. Although the available safety and environmental
effect data on fireworks are often incomplete, issues with
fireworks
usually fall into the categories of noise,
accidents, property damage and pollution.
Noise
Complaints of noise caused by fireworks are common
around lakes in the beginning of July. The sounds of fireworks
going off at all hours of the day and night can be more than just
an annoyance. The blast can terrify pets and wild animals alike,
causing them to seek a place to hide or be overcome with physical
effects such as trembling. The
noise from exploding fireworks can top 130 decibels (dB).
According to acoustic health specialists, exposures to 105 dB for
one hour can cause hearing damage. The typical lake environment
has noise levels from 30 dB to 50 dB.
Accidents & Property Damage
Fireworks are dangerous. They can cause burns,
loss of limbs and sometimes death. They are extremely hot --
sparklers can burn at temperatures of over 1800 degrees. On
average, annually about 9,000 people are injured severely enough
by fireworks to require hospital treatment. Forty-five percent of
those injuries occur to children younger than 15 years old.
Annually, fireworks cause over 30,000 fires
nationwide, resulting in millions of dollars of property damage.
Reports of fires caused by fireworks on Wisconsin lakes are most
frequent in July.
Pollution
Some researchers believe heavy metal fallout from
exploding fireworks poses a threat to the environment and us.
Currently toxicological studies on the effects of fireworks on the
environment are limited and vary in results. The solid reaction
products that give us the pretty colors and special effects
include a nasty bunch of chemical additives. The unknown factor is
the concentrations needed
to cause a problem. Fireworks are often propelled by charges of
black powder (which contain carcinogenic sulfur-coal compounds).
Ammonium perchlorate, which can cause problems with the human
thyroid gland, is another ingredient used in fireworks and is not
a good thing to find in our water. Ammonium perchlorate has been
found in ground and surface water in California, Nevada, Utah and
West Virginia. White phosphorus is another toxic substance used in
fireworks. Its residue can persist in aquatic environments and has
caused die-offs of fish and waterfowl.
Fireworks contain a number of other toxic metals
that are used to create a range of colors. Strontium produces
blazing reds; copper compounds burn blue; magnesium, titanium and
aluminum create brilliant white sparks. Sodium chloride generates
orange-yellow fire; boric acid burns green; potassium and rubidium
compounds produce purples and burning lithium glows red.
Glittering greens are produced by radioactive barium. These
ingredients drift on the winds and settle into our water and
soils.
During the Stockholm Water Festival in 1996, air
pollutant levels were measured before and after the fireworks
display. Levels of airborne arsenic were found to be twice as much
as normal, while levels of mercury, cadmium, lead, copper, zinc
and chromium were as high as 500 times above normal. Concern about
these effects on their waters and people caused organizers to
switch to a more
environmentally-friendly laser light show.
Another type of pollution commonly complained
about on Wisconsin lakes is the fireworks packaging materials such
as cardboard, wood or plastic tubes and structural parts that
drift up on shore or settle on the lake bottom.
Like so many other activities that we enjoy,
watching fireworks comes at a price. Some of those costs, such as
the noise and cardboard waste, are immediate and visible. Others,
such as the carcinogenic chemicals let loose to contribute to the
pollution of our soil, water and air, are not visible and often
not thought about. Celebrating this Independence Day can be more
enjoyable for everyone if we are all respectful of our neighbors
and wildlife, cautious in how we use fireworks and concerned with
the potential impact they may have.
For information on the regulation of fireworks in Wisconsin,
see Wisconsin Statute 167.10.
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Self-Help Lake Monitoring
Citizens work with scientists on a regular basis to monitor the
health of many of our natural resources including lakes,
amphibians, birds, exotics, fish, forests, groundwater,
invertebrates, mammals, rivers, streams, vegetation, watersheds,
and wetlands. With training and quality
assurance/quality control methods, the information that citizens
gather can be used to make management decisions. As state budgets
are cinched tighter, citizen participation in natural resource
monitoring is becoming more necessary and important.
Fortunately, citizen-based monitoring activity
continues to gain momentum. Last year, the first annual
Citizen-Based Monitoring Conference focused on how the Department
of Natural Resources can better serve and support monitoring
programs. To this end, a new Citizen-Based Monitoring Coordinator
position was created, $100,000 in partnership program funding was
awarded, a Citizen-Based Monitoring Network was established,
legislation is pending which will form an advisory council, and a
new website was developed to list programs, news, events and
funding sources (http://atriweb.info/cbm/).
The new developments are a testimony to how strongly Wisconsin
citizens care about their natural resources. The hard work and
dedication of the many volunteers assist
natural resource professionals in making sound management
decisions. The Self-Help Lake Monitoring Program is one monitoring
success story involving over 1200 volunteer monitors over an
almost 20-year span. In recognizing volunteers who have dedicated
years of their time to monitor our lakes, we extend a thank you to
all Wisconsin citizens who take part in natural resource
monitoring.
Self-Help Lake Monitors
Celebrating 15 Years of Service
Dianne Brown, Wazeecha Lake
Bob Crane, Lake Wissota
Verene Crane, Lake Wissota
Robert Damon, Long Lake
Ariel Dickerman, Falk Lake, Gull Lake, Love Lake
Kent Dickerman, Falk Lake, Gull Lake, Love Lake
Darlene Fiske, Adelade Lake
Ken Fiske, Adelade Lake
David Grether, Loon Lake, Lower Red Lake
Jack Hafner, Hasbrook Lake
Walt Hallen, Ashippun Lake
Richard Lathrop, Devils Lake, Presque Isle Lake
Candy McMahon, Long Lake
John McMahon, Long Lake
Jim Merkowitz, High Lake
Dave Opsteen, Rose Lake
Patrick Perkins, Bass Lake
Carol Schumacher, Clark Lake
Paul Schumacher, Clark Lake
Barb Spees, Lake Huron
Marc Spees, Lake Huron
Robert Tiede, Sissabagama Lake
Robert Wiethaup, Horsehead Lake, Lake Five
Self-Help Lake Monitors
Celebrating 100 Secchi Disk Readings
Gayland Jensen, Big Butternut Lake
Merle Johnson, Horseshoe Lake
Larry Kochendorfer, Amacoy Lake
Don Krueger, Pigeon Lake
David McLaughlin, Lipsett Lake
Ron Nieman, Lake Noquebay
Roy Redlich, Broken Bow Lake
Ken Sedmak, Town Corner Lake
Bob Strobush, Apple River Flowage
Paul Volek, Montgomery Lake
Herb Jensen, Okauchee Lake
Paul Kuhn, Two Sisters Lake
Dan Mersel, Fawn, North, Spider
and Clear Lake
Richard Bjodstrup, Ottawa & Pretty Lake
William Wilcox, Nelson Lake
Tom Ganfield, Whitewater Lake
Don Macintosh, Grindstone Lake
Barry Borman, Birch Island Lake
Arlene Borman, Birch Island Lake
Patricia Juday, Anderson Lake
Tom Ammend, Long Lake
Richard Jochem, Lac Sault Dore
Mary Adams, Plummer Lake
Glenn Grage, Namekagon Lake
Sandra Anderson, Whitefish Lake
Kenn Krouse, Little Newton Lake
James Jana, Fish Lake
Verlyn Benoy, Magnor Lake
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Calendar
All of June - Invasive
Species Awareness Month - For more information about invasive
species month and scheduled events about invasive species, visit
http://invasivespecies.wi.gov/awareness/.
June 2, 2005 - Clean
Boats, Clean Waters Training - Minocqua, 6-9 p.m., Lakeland
Campus. Contact Laura.Felda@dnr.state.wi.us or 715-346-3366.
June 11, 2005 - Clean
Boats, Clean Waters Training - Florence, 9-12 a.m., Resource
Center. Contact Laura.Felda@dnr.state.wi.us or 715-346-3366.
June 11, 2005 - Wetland
Restoration Workshop - Manitowoc, 8 am - 4 pm, Woodland Dunes
Nature Center. Co-sponsored by Manitowoc County Lakes Association.
For information, call 608-250-9971.
June 16, 2005 - Clean
Boats, Clean Waters Training - Madison, 2-5 p.m., Big Splash, Dane
County. Contact Laura.Felda@dnr.state.wi.us or 715-346-3366.
June 18, 2005 - Clean
Boats, Clean Waters Training - Barron, 8:30-12 noon, location TBA.
Contact Laura.Felda@dnr.state.wi.us or 715-346-3366.
June 21, 2005 - Clean
Boats, Clean Waters Training - Eagle River, 1-4 p.m., Big Splash,
Vilas County. Contact Laura.Felda@dnr.state.wi.us or
715-346-3366.
June 23, 2005 - Clean
Boats, Clean Waters Training - Cable, Northwest Wisconsin Lakes
Conference Attendees only.
Contact Laura.Felda@dnr.state.wi.us or 715-346-3366.
June 23-24, 2005 -
Northwest Lakes Conference -Telemark Convention
Center, Cable. 7:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. For more information,
contact the
Wisconsin Association of Lakes at 800-542-5253 or 608-662-0923 or
see
www.wisconsinlakes.org/events/NWLC05.pdf
July 16, 2005 - Project
Loonwatch Loon Population Survey - 5-10 a.m. Volunteers needed to
survey the numbers of loons, loon nests and loon chicks on 258
randomly selected lakes across central and northern
Wisconsin, by canoe, kayak or on foot. For more information
contact Brian Fox at FoxB01@northland.edu.
July 24-29, 2005 –
Natural Resource Careers Workshop – Central Wisconsin
Environmental Station, Amherst. For ages 14-17. Contact
715-824-2428 or see
www.uwsp.edu/cwes.
October 21-22, 2005 -
2005 Citizen-based Monitoring Conference - Manitowish Waters. See
http://atriweb.info/cbm
November 9-11, 2005 -
North American Lake Management Society Annual Meeting - Madison.
See
http://www.nalms.org
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Reflections
The earth laughs in flowers.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
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Editors: Mary Pardee, Robert Korth,
Tiffany Lyden
Design Editor: Amy Kowalski
Contributing Editor: Carroll Schaal, DNR
Photos by: Robert Korth (unless
otherwise noted)
Illustrations by: Carol Watkins, Chris Whalen
The contents of Lake Tides
do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of UW-Extension,
UWSP-CNR, the Wisconsin DNR or the Wisconsin Association of Lakes.
Mention of trade names, commercial products, private businesses or
publicly financed programs does not constitute endorsement.
Lake Tides welcomes articles, letters or other news items for
publication. Articles in Lake Tides may be reprinted or
reproduced for further distribution with acknowledgment to the
Wisconsin Lakes Partnership. If you need this material in an
alternative format, please contact our office. No state tax
revenue supported the printing of this document.
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