Our Next Meeting

LSID Board of Commissioners Meetings will be held on the second Tuesday of each month beginning at 7:00 PM at the District Office, 112 South Lake Street in Hustisford, Wisconsin.

Our District Office is located at 112 S. Lake Street, Hustisford 53034. The meeting agenda is posted at the District Office. See our meetings and minutes page for a full list of event notices, past and present.

News Briefs

Sediment Engineering Plan Request For Proposal

A formal request for proposal to develop a comprehensive engineering plan for improvements on the Rock River channel waterway was provided to engineering firms. Click on the icon at the left to review the document.

Updated Lake Sinissippi Water Quality Results Available

The updated 2002-2012 Lake Sinissippi Water Quality Study results are now available online. Just click the icon at left to open a copy of the latest lake study results in Adobe PDF format.

Rock River Water Trail Plan

The Rock River Trail Initiative has just released a comprehensive, detailed plan for the Rock River Water Trail. Just click on the icon to read the Rock River Water Trail Plan that describes the vision, structure and organization of the water trail through Wisconsin and Illinois.

Drainage District 88 Legal Case

LSID successfully challenged the establishment of an agricultural drainage district on grounds of impairment of water resources and aquatic habitat. Click the icon at left to read the August 20, 2011 news release, or view the settlement document. The original March 10, 2011 report to the court and the July 19, 2011 follow-up report are also available.

Rock River Trail Initiative

LSID supports the Rock River Trail Initiative to establish a national trail of scenic, recreational and historic significance along the 285-mile course of the Rock River through Wisconsin and Illinois. Read about the mission of the river trail initiative by clicking on the icon at left. The Initiative's key objectives, vision statement, and trail map are also available."

New Dredging Report Available

A new report prepared by the LSID Board of Commissioners regarding sediment dredging is available. The report includes cost analyses of equipment purchase and operation and a review of important elements of a successful dredging program. Just click the icon at left to open a copy of the report and cost schedules." Just click the icon at left to open a copy of the grant proposal in Adobe PDF format.

Slow-No-Wake Ordinances Information

Slow-no-wake boating ordinances have been enacted by LSID to safeguard wildlife habitat protection zones and to protect boaters and reduce shoreline erosion during flood conditions. These ordinances were established in conjunction with the townships, village and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and are enforceable by the DNR and Dodge County Sheriff's Department. Just click on the icon at left to open a copy of the boating notices and the ordinance for slow-no-wake during high water in Adobe PDF format.

Lake District Awarded Conservation Grant

LSID has received a state conservation grant to examine methods of protecting shoreline on Lake Sinissippi and the Rock River. The $1,000 grant is part of the County Conservation Aids Program, administered by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and University of Wisconsin-Extension for Dodge County. The Lake District will also provide funding equal to the grant amount for a total project cost of $2,000. Just click the icon at left to open a copy of the grant proposal in Adobe PDF format.

US Army Corps of Engineers Alternatives Report Now Available

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed the Alternatives Report for Lake Sinissippi under the Federal Planning Assistance to States, Section 22 Program. The report provides planning guidance to address the issues of sedimentation, shoreline erosion, lost wetlands, lost emergent plant habitats and lost islands on Lake Sinissippi. Just click the icon at left to open a copy of this ground-breaking study in Adobe PDF format.

Lake Connection Newsletter Articles Published

LSID Commissioners Greg Farnham and Ruth Johnson have published the first article in an ongoing series in the Lake Collection newsletter.

LSID Passes Resolution Requesting Stormwater Management Restrictions

The LSID Board of Commissioners recently passed a resolution that requests the Dodge County Board of Adjustment to insure that the Lake Drive reconstruction project conforms to Wisconsin storm management provisions.

US Army Corps of Engineers Scope of Work (SOW) Document Now Available

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently completed a scope of work document that details the development of plans for sediment management, wetland restoration and shore stabilization. The SOW outlines four primary project goals and proposes a $50,000 budget for joint project efforts.

Lake Sinissippi Wetland Habitat Restoration Report Now Available

The Lake Sinissippi Wetland Habitat Restoration Report is now available online. A complete copy of the report, including all the ancillary documentation, is available at the LSID office.

Blue-Green Algae Test Results Now Available

The test results for the water sample collected at the Butternut Island causeway July 13th and analyzed for both green algae (Bacillariophyta and Chlorophyta) and blue-green algae (Cyanophyta) are now available.

The concentration of blue-green algae is 65,491 cells units/mL, representing about 89 % of the total concentration of algae present in the sample.

According to Guidelines for Safe Recreational Water Environments, published by the World Health Organization, a concentration level of 20,000 cyanobacterial cells per mL represents a "relatively low probablilty of adverse health effects," while a concentration level of 100,000 cyanobacterial cells per mL represents a "moderate probability of adverse health effects."

So, water conditions at the causeway as of the date of sampling represented a reasonably low-to-moderate probability of adverse health effects. The sample was collected from the outfall of the south end of the culvert. There is a heavy accumulation of cattails along both sides of the water outflow from the culvert so there would be little reason or attraction for anyone to go into that area. There have also been strong winds and, as of today, rainfall, so the algal scum layer will have been broken up.

So, given the unusually hot/dry weather we've had recently, the isolated location of the algal scum, the relatively low concentration of cyanobacteria and wind and rain conditions subsequent to sampling, there would appear to be little to no health risk issue and no further action is recommended.

For additional information on blue-green algae and potential contamination in surface water, please take a look at this informative 4-page brochure that the Wisconsin DNR and DHFS has published as public information.

Lake Bottom Maps Completed

Mapping Specialists of Madison has forwarded the water and silt-depth maps produced from data gathered by Lake Sinissippi residents. The results are fascinating and at the same time somewhat discouraging. The maps are being used by Hey and Associates to prepare the habitat restoration plan.

A sample map is available online in PDF format. Maps can also be purchased at Mike's Hardware in downtown Hustisford.

The maps are now available for purchase from Mapping Specialists at 1319 Applegate Rd. Madison, WI 53713. They can be contacted via phone at 608-274-4004 or via their web site, www.mappingspecialists.com.

Nearby Drainage District Proposal Denied

Through the efforts of Lake District Commissioner Greg Farnham, a proposal by the Nehls Brothers for a Drainage District West of Lake Sinissippi has been denied. The LSID Board was concerned because of evidence of large amounts of fecal coliforms (bacteria from cow manure) already detected in Rushy Glen Creek, which drains into the District from the Nehls' farm. The proposed Drainage District would have increased the amount of runoff coming into Lake Sinissippi.

Mr. Farnham, with the help of attorney Mary Peranteau and DNR fisheries biologist Jim Congdon, convincingly demonstrated a pattern of non-compliance with existing regulations regarding handling of cow manure by the Nehls Brother's operation. In addition the Court found that the Dodge County Drainage Board has no authority and no interest in enforcing compliance with manure management practices and establishment of proper buffers within the proposed district. Judge Andrew Bissonnette specifically stated in the decision that "the Court finds the testimony of Greg Farnham and James Congdon to be both more convincing and more compelling" than the advocates of the drainage district.

LSID is proud to represent the interests of Lake Sinissippi in matters such as these. If our water quality is to ever improve, we must take on these battles so that farming practices improve in our whole watershed. Great job,Greg!

Citizen's Handbook Now Available Online

The LSID Citizen's Handbook is now available online in PDF format.

Shoreline Restoration Contractors

Several contractors have stepped forward to make themselves known as specialists in shoreline restoration. Please feel free to contact them directly for more information:

Kevin Anderson Anderson Construction Fort Atkinson, WI 608-423-9856	Tom Vogt Tom Vogt Excavating Juneau, WI 920-386-2886
Troy Priessen R Outdoors Hartford, WI 262-673-4204	Don Zubke Don's Landscaping Hustisford, WI 920-349-3102

Opportunities for Volunteers

Are you interested in helping out with LSID activities? Please attend one of the LSID Board meetings to learn more about current programs and projects and contact any of the listed Board of Commissioners to lend a hand to your lake district!

What's A Lake District?

Click here to check out frequently-asked questions about the Lake Sinissippi Improvement District.