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Dead Fish on Lake Camelot

Dead Fish on Lake Camelot Information about Columnaris and fish die-offs from Columnaris provided by DNR Fish Biologist Jennifer Bergman. Columnaris is a common and widespread bacterial disease of freshwater fish caused by the bacteria Flavobacterium columnare, which can cause yellow-brown or white lesions on the skin, fins and gills of fish. Columnaris outbreaks are a normal occurrence, especially in late spring and early summer when the water is warming up. Outbreaks and the intensity of outbreaks varies from year to year depending on the timing and intensity of the spring warm-up. Fish species that we have seen die from Columnaris in Adams County waters include bluegills, pumpkinseeds, crappies, bass, catfish and bullheads. Die-offs are selective and don’t wipe out populations, these fish kills are typically not significant. The columnaris bacteria does not infect humans or other animals. Since all wild fish can harbor other bacteria and parasites harmful to humans, anglers are always encouraged to thoroughly cook their catch, never consume fish you find dead or dying, and follow the Center for Disease Control’s food safety guidelines. Lake Camelot, Lake Arrowhead, and Jordan Lake all had reported dead fish within the same week.  These dead fish were reported after the hot weather we had with a quick warm-up.  Bacteria bloom + aggregated fish stressed from spawning = Columnaris outbreak and fish kill. Looking at the past fish kills for Lake Camelot, a fish kill was reported on June 12, 2017 and May 31, 2018; both of those events were from Columnaris. Similar timing with this year’s reported dead bluegill.’ More information provided by DNR rep Scott Provost about the fish die-offs on Lake Camelot. The alum treatment occurred on Sherwood.  There’s no way that could have an impact on Camelot. Its doubtful if the alum treatment cause any mortality to fish in Sherwood or downstream Arrowhead.  The pH was monitored during application and there was only minor variation, which would not cause a pH shock to fish. Columnaris is a common bacteria in Wisconsin lakes, that can affect spawning sunfish, perch and bullheads. Speedy warm ups in water temp that coincides with spawning season, can create good conditions for Columnaris impacts.

Clean Water Now Referendum

Adams County Approves “Clean Water Now”. Advisory referendum question will be on fall election ballots FRIENDSHIP, WI — Last night the Adams County Board voted 14-5 to approve adding a Clean Water Now referendum question to local ballots on November 8. An advisory referendum question will give Adams County residents a chance to express their support for more action by local and state governments to protect drinking water as well as Wisconsin’s rivers and lakes. The question will read: “Should the State of Wisconsin establish a right to clean water to protect human health, the environment, and the diverse cultural and natural heritage ofWisconsin?”    Read More

Joan Kramer Award

Joan Kramer – Joan is a sweet lady who lives on the 14 Mile in an area that is very difficult for us to access for testing.  She believes in our work protecting the watershed and has given us access through her property so we can safely and effectively perform our monthly sampling.  We are among the few with permission to get beyond the no trespassing signs.  While we appreciate having access, we’ve also come to appreciate Joan and her love of the environment; a true friend of the 14 Mile!

Owen Rock Cranberries Award

Owen Rock Cranberries – Mark Mahoney, owner, and Jim Bielmeier, marsh manager, hosted a tour of their marsh this fall.  They have the same concerns with over-abundance of Nitrates in the water as we have.  Excess Nitrates in the water makes for leggy cranberry plants resulting in less growth of berries.  For us, it’s Blue-Green Algae.  So, they take steps to “settle out” the excess nutrients in their marsh ponds.  Nitrates in the marsh ponds will convert to harmless Nitrogen in the air, much as we are attempting to do in our experimental denitrification project in the Leola ditch on nearby DNR land.  While their marsh and beds are a “closed system”, we know that surface water and groundwater are connected, so what growers like Owen Rock do to filter out excess nutrients benefits us as well.  Friends of the 14 Mile watershed!

Heartland Farms Award

Heartland Farms – Jeremie and Alicia Pavelski help run one of the largest crop farms in Wisconsin. You’ve seen the signs all over our area. Jeremie and Alicia hosted us for a tour of their farm and operations facility this summer. They are the new generation, utilizing technology to farm more efficiently, economically, and eco-friendly. They employ 4 technology professionals developing software that utilizes satellites and sensor equipment to adjust fertilizer and irrigation use based on scientifically measured plant needs. They use cover crops and no-till wherever possible. They are active participants in Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association’s water task force and members of the newly created Big Roche-A-Cri producer-led watershed council. Friends of the 14 Mile Watershed! To learn more about the Heartland Farms and their operations please refer to our Newsletter of September 30, 2021.

Beach Club Recommendations

Beach Club Recommendations Posted November 18. 2021 The Adams County Land & Water Conservation Department (LWCD) received a grant from the Wisconsin DNR to survey and create a shoreline protection plan for each beach club located on the Tri Lakes. These beach clubs make up 11% of all waterfront property/shorelines on the lakes. It is the hope of Adams County LWCD that property owners on the Tri Lakes will adopt conservation practices to protect the shoreline and the lakes. Conservation practices are used to protect upland vegetation and slow shoreline erosion to increase the strength and longevity of shorelines. A healthy shoreline that utilizes conservation practices helps increase the water quality and overall health of the lake. The grant received by Adams County LWCD only accounts for the planning of these projects, so there is currently no implementation funding available. However with the plans set, it is much more likely for a beach club to receive shoreline protection funding in the future. The beach club recommendations can be found on the Adams Co. LWCD website at https://www.co.adams.wi.us/departments/land-water-conservation/beach-club-recommendations . If you have any questions, or would like to know ways in which you can protect the shoreline of your beach club, please call the Adams County Land and Water Conservation Department at (608) 339-4268.