Tomah Journal - Printable Version

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Published - Monday, February 25, 2008

Water quality discussed at Lake Committee session

By Paul Medinger

Water quality was a major topic during the City of Tomah Lake Committee’s monthly meeting on Tuesday.

The committee met with several members of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), public officials and employees and several members of the public at City Hall to continue discussions on a plan to restore Lake Tomah. Dan Hassel, of the WDNR and from Black River Falls, outlined much of the lake’s water clarity problems.

“What we want to do is shift the lake from a dirty, green and brown lake to clear water,” Hassel said.

Hassel told the committee that from 2005 to 2007, the summer average for phosphorus in the lake was 161 parts per billion, the spring average is 104, and 142 is the annual average. Hassel also said that 90 percent of the phosphorous comes from agriculture. To try and get phosphorous levels under control, Hassel said that taking the carp out of the lake will be an important step.

“Carp are really dominating the phosphorous load, which is good, because we are going to be getting them out of there,” Hassel said. “Whether they make up 20 percent, 40 percent or 60 percent, we know that carp are a problem, and we can control that.”

Fish in the lake was another topic of interest discussed at the meeting. Lake Committee chairman Joe McDaniel said that discussions have included stocking the lake with bass, northern pike, bluegill and crappies. McDaniel also said that size limits for fishing have been discussed, but nothing has been made official.

Bryce Richardson of the Monroe County Land Conservation Department discussed the watershed with the committee and hopes the nutrient level in the watershed can be reduced.

“Right now they are planning on taking a look at the water shed to see if nutrients can be reduced,” McDaniel said. “How and when they plan to do it, we are not sure yet.”

McDaniel said that the committee will discuss the island and shoreline restoration during its March meeting. He also said that the committee will look at more recreation and the possibility of a number of handicap accessible piers.