News & Reports

Water Action Volunteers is Wisconsin’s volunteer stream water quality monitoring program – basically a stream-based equivalent to our CLMN lake monitoring program. All of these webinars are free and open to the public, but there is an online registration link for each one below the webinar description.

Catch the WAVe – Water Action Volunteers Webinar Series
Fall-Winter 2018-2019
Tuesdays, Noon-1:00 pm (Central Time)

October 16, 2018:
Catch the WAVe Webinar Series: What is the Water Telling Us about the Land?
This webinar will explore what the water in our lakes and our streams tells us about our land. In Wisconsin, the land “makes” water as the precipitation that falls on the land becomes the flow in our streams and the water in our lakes. Our streams “integrate” the water that falls on different parts of our land at different times. Finally, our lakes “store” water, sometimes for years, when the rate of water entering is small compared to the size of the lake. And that’s just the beginning. Because the composition of the water changes dramatically as precipitation works its way through our land, the land will also control the quality of the water moving into our streams and lakes. The result is a fascinating story but a complex task as we try to figure out what our water is telling us about the land.
Presenter: Paul McGinley, Water Quality Specialist, UW-Extension
Registration URL: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8353439928954676993

October 30, 2018:
Catch the WAVe Webinar Series: An Introduction to Stream Ecology
What IS stream ecology anyway? Where do streams come from and what lives in them? What are the basic definitions and importance of these five physical features of streams: temperature, flow, pH, light and dissolved oxygen? UW-Platteville Stream Ecologist Kris Wright will answer these questions and much more.
Presenter: Kristopher Wright, Aquatic Biologist, UW-Platteville
Registration URL: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/863126916781131267

November 13, 2018:
Catch the WAVe Webinar Series: Office Hours with DNR Biologists
You have questions? We have answers! As citizen stream monitors your work and your data is closely tied to the work of our Wisconsin DNR professionals who have experience in and knowledge about streams across our state. Craig Roesler and Camille Bruhn, Water Quality Biologists in northwest and west central Wisconsin, respectively, will be on hand to answer questions and discuss your stream and data interests. The topics and flow of the webinar will be directed by YOU. So join us for this opportunity to “ask the experts”.
Presenters: Craig Roesler and Camille Bruhn, DNR Water Quality Biologists
Registration URL: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/727516451146336771

November 27, 2018:
Catch the WAVe Webinar Series: Using the Surface Water Data Viewer to Find Stations and Data
This webinar will cover the basics of using the Surface Water Data Viewer, DNR’s mapping application. Join us to learn how to search for monitoring stations and water quality data. If time permits, we will also cover a few of the basics for the Water Condition Viewer.
Presenter: Ilana Haimes, WAV Data Management and Special Projects, WDNR
Registration URL: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5936407707758522371

December 11, 2018:
Catch the WAVe Webinar Series: Understanding Macroinvertebrates
Scrapers, shredders, gatherers, filterers, and predators, OH MY! In this presentation, Kris Wright will explain the importance of aquatic invertebrates and help you understand their diversity and functions in the environment. You will come away being as excited about macroinvertebrates as he is, guaranteed!
Presenter: Kristopher Wright, Aquatic Biologist, UW-Platteville
Registration URL: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3178821550179847939

January 8, 2019: 
Catch the WAVe Webinar Series: The Madness behind the Methods: WAV Stream Flow Explained
At training sessions and in streams each month, volunteers often have questions about the WAV stream flow methods, such as why the first number in stream depth is always “0” and why we have a velocity correction factor for stream bottom type. You may be surprised to know the rigor and research that is behind the WAV flow method. Tune in to hear Kris Stepenuck discuss the evolution of WAV stream flow methods and the related research that was included in her PhD thesis!
Kris Stepenuck, Extension Assistant Professor, University of Vermont
Registration URL: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8390094348977929219

January 22, 2019:
Catch the WAVe Webinar Series: Increase Your Success in Finding and Submitting Grants
If you or your organization relies on grants to fund stream monitoring or other education and outreach activities you probably know that it can be a daunting task to keep the funds flowing and your work progressing. Not only do you need to find those grant sources but you also have to develop and submit a proposal that will rise to the top and be awarded the funds you have requested. This webinar will include practical ideas that will help you be more successful in your pursuit of grand funds.
Dave Nolan, Watauga Grant Consultants
Registration URL: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3867903079493483779

Permits

We are still awaiting a permit from the Corps of Engineers. They did not provide an estimated date for issuing the permit. We are also awaiting a storm water permit from WDNR. We hope to have both permits by September 17.

Easements and Legal Agreements

We are continuing to work with the Town of Mercer on an agreement to share the easement for the town road. We met with the Town of Mercer on September 5. The Town will review the information and discuss with their attorney.

Bidding and Construction

We are proceeding with a construction contract with Ross Peterson Construction. Ross Peterson indicated that the construction would likely take about 4-5 weeks. Asphalt plants generally shut down at the end of October, so Peterson would like to start by September 17 to allow for time for inclement weather and still complete the project. Construction can’t start until we have the legal agreement with the Town of Mercer and the Corps permit. If we are delayed, we may still complete the embankment work and complete the paving next spring. This is not preferred as we would like to have the paving completed during the window we established this fall so as not to impact use of the boat ramp. Waiting until spring to pave would also result in increased cost.

We are coordinating with Price Electric and CenturyLink regarding relocation of utilities. Two distribution line poles will need to be raised prior to construction to accommodate the raised boat ramp entrance. Price Electric will complete this work but no specific schedule has been established. CenturyLink will relocate the telephone line when the embankment is completed prior to paving.

We are committed to service excellence.
Visit our survey at http://dnr.wi.gov/customersurvey to evaluate how I did.

Brett Bockhop
Turtle Flambeau Scenic Waters Area
Bureau of Parks and Recreation Management
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
5291N State House Circle
Mercer, WI 54547
Phone: 715-476-7846
Brett.Bockhop@wisconsin.gov

The Exel Energy’s Dike 10 construction project is scheduled to begin September 4th and last until about November 1st. During construction a portion of Flambeau Dam Road and Sportsman’s Landing and Robinson Landing will be closed to the public. We will be pulling the Sportsman’s Landing dock out of the water for the season shortly after construction begins. During construction I anticipate getting weekly updates from Excel that I will share with you. Should members or general public have any questions please refer them to me.

Brett Bockhop
Bureau of Parks and Recreation