News & Reports

SHORELINE EROSION has become an increasing concern on the Turtle Flambeau Flowage and other Wisconsin lakes. The topic of erosion was discussed in two articles in the recent issue of our newsletter Driftwood, and was mentioned as a concern by members in the 2022 survey that was conducted by our association.

A recent article in the Milwaukee Journal/Sentinel discusses erosion and other potential impacts generated by the increased use of wakeboard boats in Wisconsin lakes. Here is a link to the article – https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/outdoors/2022/12/18/wisconsin-residents-seek-to-minimize-damage-to-nature-from-wake-boats/69735263007/

This video was referenced in the fall/winter 2022 issue of our newsletter the Driftwood, in an article on gentians.

The 2022 open water season on the TFF will be remembered for close to average water levels up to mid-July. From mid-July to mid-August water levels were approximately 6” below target levels. From mid-August through mid-October the water level was within 3” of target level, and was 6-9 inches higher than last year at the same time.

The spring refill target of 1571.50’ was achieved on April 20, 2022, and “ice-out” on Baraboo took place on May 4, 2022.

Discharge from the TFF Dam was moderate throughout the season, and was reduced to just above the minimum of 300 cubic feet per second (cfs) in late September. Discharge remained in the low 300 cfs range through the end of October. Maximum discharge of 2,482 cfs took place on April 28, 2022, during spring snow melt.

Officially, the “Water Year” runs through the end of October. Our expectation is that TFF water levels will gradually rise over the next several weeks as the annual drawdown of the Manitowish Waters chain started about 10 days ago

The DNR normally plans to take docks out each year around Columbus Day because of staffing, weather and consistency. The tentative dates set for DNR dock removal for the 2022 season on the TFF are October 12th-14th.