ATV/Horse Crossing and Lake Elma Boat Landing Projects Completed

Middle Village Stream Crossing Improvements

The stream northwest of Middle Village between the lift station and the power substation experienced significant erosion within the crossing zone that has been used by ATV’s and horses.  As a result ESD approached the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to seek funding and technical assistance to design a stream crossing to reduce the erosion potential.  NRCS routinely designs stream crossings to accommodate animals and machinery.  NRCS designed a crossing that employed a geotextile fabric layer covered by 8” rocker larger than 2”, followed by 2” of crushed rock and then a sand overlay on the upper ends of the crossing.  Within the actual wetted perimeter of the stream, a 2” layer of 1 ½-2” rock was used over the 8” base rock.  This rock is sized to remain stable during high water flows.  To further protect this site we advise riders to stay on the trail when using this crossing.

ATV/Horse Crossing completed

 

Lake Elma Boat Landing Completed

The Menominee Environmental Services Department acquired funding through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to address an erosion issue at Lake Elma.  The existing landing off of Camp 26 Road is extremely steep and is fed by run off coming off the road.  A sand/gravel delta has been forming in the lake as a result of these sediments being carried into the lake.  With the funding provided by NRCS we installed a boat landing on the Northwest side of the lake that can be accessed off the Noseum road.  The landing area was excavated then lined with a geotextile fabric before being overlayed with 8’’ of 2-6” rough base material and then a layer 2-4” layer of 2-6” mixed with fines.  The new landing will minimize the amount of sediments that can be deposited into the lake.  ESD has plans close off the Camp 26 road landing and to restore this site with grass and other vegetation to serve as a sediment filter.  This may come later this year or may be finished next year time and weather permitting.  So please use the new landing to help limit the amount of erosion that can reach the lake.

Boat landing prior to completion

Completed boat landing

Trout in their Natural Habitat

Recently the ESD had the opportunity to capture some footage of trout after being released during some IBI work on a local river.  Enjoy the footage of some brown trout and brook trout.

Lake Sturgeon Restoration Moves Forward

The restoration of Lake Sturgeon back to the Menominee Indian Reservation took a step forward with the release of 500 fingerlings.  The sturgeon were released near Keshena Falls as part of the MITW Lake Sturgeon Managment Plan.  The effort is part of the overall goal to produce a population that remains present in the Wolf River year round above the Balsam Row Dam.  The fingerlings were excess fish from another restoration project the WI-DNR is conducting on the Upper Fox River near Lake Winnebago.  The fish were slated to be destroyed but given the similarities of the projects the MITW was able to obtain them for the restoration project here.  Ron Bruch of the WI-DNR brought the fish to be released after he and Fred Binkowski implanted the sturgeon with PIT tags which will allow the fish to be identified if they are recaptured in the future.  The MITW Chairman Randal Chevalier and other staff were on hand to take part in the release.  MITW Conservation and Environmental Services staff are part of a lake sturgeon workgroup that keeps the MITW Lake Sturgeon Management Plan moving forward through continued planning efforts that include working with the WI-DNR and USFWS on implementing project goals.  The next release of fish is planned for mid September with 30 adult fish being brought to the reservation.  The adult fish will have sonic transmitters that will allow MITW and WI-DNR staff to track their movements within the Wolf River on and off the reservation. 

Lake Sturgeon Fingerlings in the truck

Jeremy Pyatskowit hands a bucket of sturgeon to Karen Washinawatok

Don Reiter releases sturgeon in the Wolf River

Hailey Pecore and Mary Lisa Keenan-Carenza look at the sturgeon

Beat the Heat

Summer time is in full swing in Wisconsin.  Temperatures have been mostly mild through the month of June with one short hot spell.  Heading into this holiday weekend the predicted temperatures are to be in the 90’s with higher humidity making it feel even warmer. 

Now is the perfect time to brush up on the terms and dangers associated with high temperatures.

Know the Terms

            Heat Wave

            Prolonged period of excessive heat, often combined with excessive humidity.

            Heat Index

            A number in degrees Fahrenheit (F) that tells how hot it feels when relative humidity is added to the air temperature.  Exposure to full sunshine can increase the heat index by 15 degrees.

            Heat Cramps

            Muscular pains and spasm due to heavy exertion.  Although heat cramps are the least severe, they are often the first signal the body is having trouble with the heat.

            Heat Exhaustion

            Typically occurs when people exercise heavily or working a hot, humid place where body fluids are lost through heavy sweating.  Blood flow to the skin increases, causing blood flow to decrease to the vital organs.  This results in a form of mild shock.  If not treated, the victim’s condition will worsen.  Body temperature will keep rising and the victim may suffer heat stroke.

            Heat Stroke

            A life-threatening condition.  The victim’s temperature control system, which produces sweating to cool the body, stops working.  Body temperature can rise so high that brain damage and death may result if the body is not cooled quickly.

            Sun Stroke

            Another term for heat stroke.

Heat Facts

Summer heat waves are the biggest weather-related killers in Wisconsin for the past 50 years, far exceeding tornado and other storm-related deaths.  In 1995, two major killer heat waves affected most of Wisconsin resulting in 154 heat-related deaths and over 300 heat-related illnesses.

Citizens of the State of Wisconsin can be seriously affected by sever heat and it is essential that we increase the awareness of the dangers of heat waves and the protective actions which can be taken by citizens.

National Weather Service Heat-Wave Program in Wisconsin

Outlook Statement

Issued 2 to 7 days in advance of when Heat Advisory or Excessive Heat Warning conditions are anticipated.  Issued as a Hazarous Weather Statement (HWO).  Broadcasted on NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards and posted on NWS websites (www.weather.gov).

Heat Advisory

Issued 6 to 24 hours in advance of any 24-hour period in which daytime heat index (HI) values are expected to be 105-110 for 3 hour or more and night-time HI values will be 75 or higher.  For west-central and northwest Wisconsin, numbers are 105-114 and 80, respectively.

Excessive Heat Watch

Issued generally 12-48 hours in advance of any 24-hour period in which daytime HI values are expected to exceed 110 for 3 hours or more and night-time HI values will be 80 or higher.  For west-central and northwest Wisconsin, numbers are 115 or higher and 80 or higher, respectively.

Excessive Heat Warning

Issued 6 to 24 hours in advance of nay 24-hour period in which daytime HI values are expected to exceed 110 for 3 hours or more and night-time HI values will be 80 or higher.  For west-central and northwest Wisconsin, numbers are 115 or higher and 80 or higher, respectively.

During a Heat Emergency

1.    Never leave children, disabled persons, or pets in a parked car – even briefly.  Temperatures in a car can become life threatening within minutes. On an 80-degree day, the temperature inside a car even with the windows cracked slightly can reach 100 degrees in less than 10 minutes!

2.    Keep your living space cool.  Cover windows to keep the sun from shining in.  If you don’t have an air conditioner, open windows to let air circulate.  When it’s hotter than 95 degrees, use fans to blow hot air out of the window rather than to blow hot air on your body.  Basements or ground floors are often cooler than upper floors.

3.    Slow down and limit physical activity.  Plan outings or exertion for the early morning or after dark when temperatures are cooler.

4.    Drink plenty of water and eat lightly.  Don’t wait for thirst, but instead drink plenty of water throughout the day.  Avoid alcohol or caffeine and stay away from hot, heavy meals. 

5.    Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing.  Add a hat or umbrella to keep your head cool…and don’t forget sunscreen!

6.    Don’t stop taking medication unless your doctor says you should.  Take extra care to stay cool and ask your doctor or pharmacist for any special heat advice.

7.    Infants should drink breast milk or formula to get the right balance of water, salts and energy.  You may supplement your infant’s fluids with an additional 4 to 8 ounces of water per day, but don’t dilute formula beyond what the instructions say (unless instructed by your doctor).

8.    Taking a cool shower or bath will cool you down.  A shower or bath will actually work faster than an air conditioner.  Applying cold wet rags to the neck, head and limbs also cools down the body quickly.

People at higher risk of a heat related illness include:

·         Older adults

·         Infants and young children

·         People with chronic heart or lung problems

·         People with disabilities

·         Overweight persons

·         Those who work outdoors or in hot settings

·         Users of some medications, especially those taken for mental disorders, movement disorder, allergies, depression, and heart or circulatory problems

·         People who are isolated that don’t know when or how to cool off-or when to call for help

Columnaris Affects Upper Bass Lake

A Columnaris fish kill was recently discovered on Upper Bass Lake on the reservation.  While it is infrequent on the reservation it does happen every few years. Affected fish that are still alive will be swimming slowly and may appear to have a cotton like lesions around their mouths.  The Wisconsin DNR has also put out information regarding the potential for Columnaris outbreaks and can be seen below.

The heavy rains and flooding have added additional organic material to waterways, making conditions ripe for fish kills caused by a bacterial disease called Columnaris.
Columnaris fish kills generally occur throughout the state during May and June each year and should not be confused with the viral hemorrhagic septicemia (VHS) virus which is a new disease feared to be spreading inland from the Great Lakes. Both diseases only infect fish species and are not a health risk to humans. However, people should not eat fish killed by Columnaris or VHS, and should wash their hands if they handle infected fish, because other bacteria that may be harmful to humans start feeding on the dead carcasses.
“The Columnaris bacteria is most prevalent in our lakes after water temperatures reach 65-70 degrees from late May to late June,” says Larry Damman, DNR fishery biologist. The bacteria levels increase after major rainfalls that supply additional nutrients on which the bacteria thrives into area lakes. VHS fish kills tend to occur at temperatures less than 60 degrees.”
Bluegill, crappies, yellow perch and bullheads, already stressed from seasonal spawning activities are most affected by Columnaris. The bacteria erode the fishes’ skin, causing leakage of bodily fluids and a fairly rapid death.
Although Columnaris can appear to produce large scale fish losses in a matter of several days, it usually does not have a catastrophic impact on overall fish populations, according to fishery biologists.
Columnaris was recently found in bluegills, crappies, and other panfish in Dane and Kewaunee counties. As waters warm more fish kills may be expected.