2016 State of the Lakes Annual Report by Clean Lakes Alliance

2016 STATE OF THE LAKES & CLEAN LAKES ALLIANCE ANNUAL REPORT

2016 Partners

People

SUSTAINING FOUNDERS

Meet the community

above $50,000

SUSTAINING PARTNERS

2-7 Science Learn about our lakes

8-23 starting at $20,000

Action Explore recent projects

24-35

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Engagement See our impact starting at $10,000

36-51

STATE OF THE LAKES SPONSORS

Financials Track our growth

44-53

Seven years ago, our community came together and formed an alliance to improve the health of our lakes. Together, we have reignited a movement to revitalize our lakes and beaches, driven by a vision where the lakes are the center of our community. Today, citizens, businesses, government agencies, scientists, policymakers, and farmers are working as one to advance new and common-sense solutions. Just look at what we’ve already accomplished together: •

We have elevated the lakes in the community agenda, heightening awareness and support with more media attention, editorial endorsements, and elected officials prioritizing our lakes.

•

In 2016, partners kept 13,600 pounds of algae-fueling phosphorus out of our lakes, 29% of the way to our Yahara CLEAN goal. If fully realized, scientists forecast more days when our lakes are clear and our beaches are open.

•

The Yahara WINs adaptive management project has transitioned to a full-scale collaboration involving over 20 communities working together to reduce phosphorus, with Clean Lakes Alliance as a major financial contributor.

•

Citizen scientists are working alongside city lifeguards and university researchers to share real-time lake conditions at 79 monitoring stations across all five lakes.

•

Yahara Pride Farms was established and now operates as an independent nonprofit and statewide model for farmerled conservation.

•

Our education and fundraising events engage more people every year, raising nearly $170,000 for on-the-ground projects and programs in the last year alone.

We’ve done a lot as a community to advance lake health, but we need to do a lot more. Building on this momentum, Clean Lakes Alliance has developed our four-year strategy, called “Plan 2020: A Clear Path Forward.” Guided by input from our partners, it uses Clean Lakes Alliance’s strengths to leverage action in eight focus areas, from farmland and manure management to citizen action – each with goals to achieve in the next four years. Learn more about this plan on page 24. We know that big challenges lie ahead, many of which we can’t control, like global climate change and the threat of invasive species. But we CAN control what we do on the land, and we know our lakes are healthiest when we control phosphorus. In Partnership,

James Tye Executive Director

Lloyd Eagan Executive Board Chair

“

MESSAGE FROM THE ALLIANCE

Who we are People & Objectives

AN ALLIANCE OF PARTNERS Clean Lakes Allianceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s boards represent the many government, business, and community partners working to make healthy lakes a reality. Their passion and expertise turns our small staff into one BIG team for clean lakes.

OUR BOARDS & STAFF Executive Board

Lloyd Eagan, Chair Wisconsin DNR, Retired Randy Peterson, V. Chair LRP Consultants Jim West, Treasurer Johnson Bank Marilee Gorman, Secretary First Weber, Inc. Jeff Endres Endres Berryridge Farms LLC Jenny Kuehn Community Advocate Stacey Neu Spectrum Brands Brian Potts Perkins Coie LLP James Tye, Executive Director Clean Lakes Alliance Mike Gerner, Director Emeritus Gerner Consulting LLC

Community Board

Timothy Baker Friends of Cherokee Marsh Roger Bannerman USGS Wisconsin Water Science Center Paul Barbato Epic Systems Corporation Stefanie Brouwer Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy Sharon Corrigan Dane County Board of Supervisors Katie Crawley City of Madison Mayor, Designee Mary Elvekrog Badgerland Financial Leslie Even American Family Insurance Nathan Fagre Spectrum Brands Joseph Ferreri Landsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; End Peter Foy Friends of Lake Kegonsa Matthew Frank Murphy Desmond S.C. Thomas Groth Kimberly-Clark Robb Kahl Construction Business Group

Community Board (continued)

Bob Karls Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board Fred Klancnik UW-Madison Engineering Woody Kneppreth Lake Waubesa Conservation Association Steve Kraus Village of Waunakee Gregory Levesque American Transmission Company Allan Levin Yahara Lakes Association Dave Merritt Dane County Executive Designee Michael Nowicki Mad-City Ski Team Rebecca Power Dane Co. Lakes & Watershed Commission Paul Robbins UW-Madison Nelson Institute Michael Rupiper Capital Area Regional Planning Commission Eric Schmidt CG Schmidt, Inc. Greg Searle Wisconsin DNR Sarah Slack Foley & Lardner LLP Scott Smith Alliant Energy Corporation Amy Supple The Edgewater Thomas Walker Mid-West Family Broadcasting Robert Weber First Weber, Inc. D. Michael Mucha, Director Emeritus Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District Lyle Updike, Director Emeritus Dane County Towns Association

Friends of Clean Lakes Board Jenny Kuehn, Chair Community Advocate Mardi Stroud, V. Chair First Weber, Inc. Colleen Johnson, Treasurer Johnson Bank Donald (Tripp) Stroud, Secretary Tripp Stroud, LLC Cory A. Buye Buye Law Office

Friends of Clean Lakes Board (continued) Lauren Carpenter Springs Window Fashions Marta Gialamas Community Advocate Carson Goff The Burish Group of UBS Marilee Gorman First Weber, Inc. Andy Kurth Weed Man Lawn Care Chasidey Martin Sprinkman Real Estate Tina Noel Community Advocate Glenn Reinl Shared Medical Life, Retired Jerry Schmidt Dream House Dream Kitchens Trey Sprinkman Sprinkman Real Estate Jon Standridge WI Lab of Hygiene, Retired Christopher Stark Stark Company Realtors Russ Tieman Kelly Financial, Inc.

Staff

Paul Dearlove Watershed Program Director Luke Huston Marketing & Graphic Design Specialist Dea Larsen Converse Water Quality Consultant Becky Mitchell Executive Assistant/Annual Giving Manager Katie Nicholas Watershed Coordinator Adam Sodersten Director of Marketing & Development James Tye Executive Director Theresa Vander Woude Associate Manager, Communication & Digital Media Karla Wheelock Bookkeeper

Messages from community partners Joe Parisi, Dane County Executive

Paul Soglin, Mayor of Madison

Two years ago, I put $60,000 in the county budget to analyze the water quality and phosphorus content of miles of streams that feed into our Yahara lakes. A year of research later, the findings are stark: if we don’t remove sludge from the bottom of these streams, it will take 99 years to see a 50% reduction in phosphorus that finds its way into our lakes.

In the City of Madison, we believe that stormwater runoff and the effects associated with it directly impacts the lives of our residents and our entire community, and we work diligently to protect those resources. Often we think of stormwater as a “public works problem,” but this is not always the case.

Dane County will invest $12 million over the next four years to remove 870,000 pounds of this phosphorus – Dane County’s boldest, most tangible effort yet to improving the health and vitality of waters so integral to our economy and quality of life. This breakthrough project is the cornerstone of this year’s $10 million lakes clean-up county budget. The data says what’s been done to date has worked at reducing what nutrients go on the land, when they’re applied, and most importantly, keeping them there. County staff and farmers have implemented conservation practices on 90% of the acres in the watershed and nutrient management plans have been completed on 75% of cropland. Soil testing shows farmlands in the watershed are on average already two times better than state standards for phosphorus. We’re making progress, but we can’t reach our goal without getting at what’s already in the water. The project will return the stream bottoms to the way they were in 1890, allowing for new fisheries and healthy habitats for wildlife. A significant component of what hurts our lakes is already in our waters. This budget starts the work of getting it out, removing 125 years of accrued sediment. Kevin Connors and his team of engineers at our Land and Water Resources Department should be commended for crafting such a common sense solution.

The more we work on water quality problems, we find that drinking water, stormwater and sewer treatment are linked in real ways by our actions. While it is possible to use the traditional model, it can produce unintended consequences including increased cost. As we talk about the lakes and water quality today, it is important that we recognize we each have a role in the creation of stormwater runoff, and each of us needs to take part in reducing the impact of our actions. Recently, Madison Water Utility, City Engineering, and many other partners have begun to create a voluntary certification program working with road salt applicators to reduce the amount of salt applied to parking lots and roads. The goal is to apply an amount needed for safety, because chloride can impact surface waters, wells, and even the sewer treatment plant. Solutions to this and other stormwater pollutant problems, such as the phosphorous associated with fall leaf collection, may call for some non-traditional public works solutions, including source reduction and engaging the public to help us toward those efforts. This follows a long understood idea that it is better to avoid putting something in the water than it is to try and get it out down the road. Expect Madison to continue to lead in finding new ways to address common problems like leaf collection and salt reduction. We are all in this together.

Dave Taylor, Yahara WINs This is an exciting time for the Yahara Watershed. There is a great deal of energy directed at improving water quality, with a primary focus on reducing phosphorus loads to streams, rivers and lakes in the watershed. The Yahara Watershed Improvement Network, known as Yahara WINs, is harnessing this energy by advancing a groundbreaking strategy to meet phosphorus reduction goals for the watershed. This strategy, called watershed adaptive management, is a collaborative approach in which all sources of phosphorus in the watershed work together to meet water quality goals related to phosphorus. This strategy is more effective and less expensive than traditional phosphorus reduction strategies, in which each source works independently. Yahara WINs partners include cities, villages, towns, wastewater treatment plants, agricultural producers and groups such as the Yahara Pride Farm Group, Dane County, environmental organizations and others. This unprecedented level of collaboration began as a fouryear pilot project and has now transitioned to its next phase: a 20-year effort focusing on improving water quality throughout the entire watershed. Phosphorus reduction approaches include implementing a mix of urban and rural practices. We all have a role to play in improving our water resources and reducing phosphorus loads. Opportunities abound for you to be part of this effort, either directly or indirectly, and in both small and large ways. Be a part of the solution by engaging in any way you can. Together we can and are making a difference.

Messages from community partners Village President Judd Blau, Village of DeForest In 2016, the Village of DeForest restored three sections of the Yahara River adjacent to the Upper Yahara River Trail for a total of 350 feet stabilized. The project addressed erosion concerns, established native plantings and increased public access. DeForest also installed a new stormwater retention basin at the north industrial park.

A WATERSHED EFFORT Clean Lakes Alliance is privileged to support local, county and municipal governments as they work towards cleaner lakes and streams. For highlights of projects completed in 2016, please see pages 26-35. Mayor Jason Gonzalez, Fitchburg

After a partnership with Clean Lakes Alliance for a leaf-free streets pilot program in 2015, DeForest took an adapted leaf outreach program village-wide in 2016. Keeping leaves out of the street will mean less phosphorus runoff to the Yahara River and ultimately our lakes.

Mayor Mary Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connor, City of Monona

In 2016, the City of Fitchburg completed the Schumann Greenway and McKee Farms park northwest pond projects. Work included the restoration of a 1,300-foot-long channel and dredging and expansion of the existing McKee Farms northwest stormwater basin, which will improve the quality of stormwater discharging to Nine Springs Creek.

The City of Monona has dedicated significant capital budget funds in order to clean up local stormwater discharges. Monona continues to dedicate substantial staff time to performing public outreach and education through consistent updates to the city website, newsletter updates, radio informational advertisements, and social media posts.

Fitchburg also converted the Lacy Heights Pond from a dry detention pond to a biorentention facility in order to infiltrate and treat stormwater runoff. In total, the projects will capture 160 pounds of phosphorus and more than 50,000 pounds of sediment annually.

In addition, the City of Monona has spent significant funds on staff educational opportunities and now has two licensed erosion control inspectors. In 2016, Monona installed two of our largest stormwater treatment devices, which treat over 100 acres of land.

Mayor Gurdip Brar, City of Middleton Middleton is proud to affiliate with Clean Lakes Alliance because clean water is critical to our area for recreational and environmental reasons. Over the past 17 years, the City of Middleton, with leadership from our Common Council and Water Resources Management Commission, has made a major financial commitment of about $11 million to cleanse the water that passes through Middleton from agricultural areas as well as from our own storm water runoff. Our commitment includes investments in streambank restoration through the Pheasant Branch Conservancy and creation of wide environmental corridors with native prairie plantings that enable storm water filtration while replacing narrow storm drainage ditches. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m pleased to say that those commitments have paid off with a 45% decrease in sedimentation and 48% decrease in phosphorus, despite steady increases in precipitation over many years. As the Good Neighbor City, we realize the importance of keeping our lakes healthy, and we are dedicated to being Good Neighbors and environmental guardians for our lakes.

THE SCIENCE OF OUR LAKES Five iconic lakes, 370,000 people, 170,000 acres of farmland, one state capital, and a research university that happens to be the birthplace of freshwater science: welcome to the Yahara River watershed.

AUTHOR: DEA LARSEN CONVERSE

Staff retreiving monitoring equipment.

INTRODUCTION TO THE REPORT CARD

ake conditions vary annually based on many factors, including weather, biological interactions in the lake, and land practices in place to prevent phosphorus runoff. Each year in this report, we give a snapshot that puts what happens in a given year into the context of longer term trends.

Despite many challenges, all of the Yahara lakes were in good condition in 2016 and represent what we hope to achieve on a consistent basis by continuing to reduce phosphorus loading into the lakes.

WATER QUALITY CHALLENGES

HOW WAS 2016?

We can’t control the weather and we have limited control over the biological interactions that happen within the lakes.

Beaches on Lake Mendota and Monona were closed less than the long-term medians for each lake. However, beaches on Lake Wingra and Waubesa were closed more often than the long-term medians for each lake. The beach at Lake Kegonsa State Park is not routinely tested for E.coli or blue green algae.

Challenges to lake health include increasingly heavy storm events and invasive species that enter the lakes. Some of the factors that impact the lakes are under our control and some are not.

We do have control over the phosphorus practices that are put into place in both urban and rural areas. Because excess phosphorus is the root cause of the water quality problems in the lakes, we support community efforts to put runoff prevention practices in place. If we can come together and address phosphorus that enters our lakes from city streets, construction sites, and farmland, we can achieve our vision of cleaner and healthier lakes.

In all the Yahara lakes, the total phosphorus and clarity levels measured in the middle of each lake were “Good,” according to the Department of Natural Resources criteria for evaluating lakes.

SHORELINE CONDITIONS

Many of our volunteer lake monitors noticed that lake conditions were better in 2016 than they recalled ever seeing them. The data they collected included fewer blue-green algal blooms overall, especially on Mendota, and greater clarity in Mendota and Monona. However, while clarity in the middle of Wingra, Waubesa, and Kegonsa improved in 2016, near-shore readings declined compared to 2015.

Science State of the Lakes in 2016

Near-shore clarity levels respond to factors like wave action that stirs up bottom sediments, runoff from nearby storm sewers, and wind-blown scums of blue-green algae. When you add in the impact of aquatic plants and algae, it is no wonder the nearshore environment where most people view our lakes is so complex.

MAP OF THE YAHARA WATERSHED

IMPACT OF WEATHER

In an average year, most of the runoff impacting summer water quality in our lakes occurs in late winter and spring when melting snow or spring rains wash phosphorus from farm fields and urban areas into our waters. In 2016, the lakes benefitted from less spring runoff due to a mild winter with below normal snowfall and below normal spring rainfall overall. In addition, the storms were well spaced, allowing the ground to absorb rainwater between storms.

2016 MonthlyPrecipitation Precipitation vs 2016 Monthly vsNormal Normal 9 Normal Precipitation

2016 Average Monthly Precipitation

5 4 3

2.03 1.74

May Jun July Aug Sept Oct

1.87 2.39

4.96 2.40

Apr

8.46 3.13

Mar

7.87 4.27

Feb

5.23 4.18

2.22 3.40

Jan

5.35 4.54

3.96 2.20

0.52 1.45

2.11 3.55

0.98 1.23

Inches

Nov

Dec

Science Lake Trends

Phosphorus loading is highly variable from year to year. There are wet years when precipitation and snowmelt create excessive runoff, as well as years of prolonged drought when there is little runoff. Phosphorus loading has declined in Pheasant Branch, partly resulting from the construction of the Middleton Confluence Pond that has trapped large amounts of sediment-bound phosphorus. In the Yahara River, phosphorus loading shows no declining trend. Ongoing work on phosphorus reduction practices is needed so that the Yahara lakes can experience a water quality year like 2016 on a regular basis.

10,000

Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

20,000

50.9

Snowfall (2015-2016)

7.4

Pheasant Branch 30,000

Heavy rain days (≥ 1 in.)

In 2016, preliminary data on phosphorus loading at two long-term stream monitoring sites on Lake Mendota, the Yahara River at Windsor and Pheasant Branch in Middleton, show a 23% decrease compared to the ten year long-term medians for those two tributaries.

2.8

Yahara River

Greatest 24 hour total

40,000

PHOSPHORUS LOADING

34.5

45.6

Total rainfall

Annual Phosphorus Loads for Mendota’s Monitored Subwatersheds

46.5

49.7

Mean temperature

Annual Phosphorus Loads for Mendota’s Monitored Subwatersheds

5.9

While in 2016 we experienced fewer algal blooms and better clarity in the lakes, it is important to put this into a longer-term perspective.

Days ≥ 90°

Normal (1981 - 2010)

2016

CLIMATE TRENDS

Annual P load (pounds)

2016 Madison Area Climate Statistics

Sources: R. Lathrop, UW Center for Limnology

Lake Mendota Water Temperature July-August, 0-16 ft depths

WATER TEMPERATURE

Stormy skies over the isthmus. Photo credit Luke Huston.

Water temperatures in Lake Mendota and the other Yahara lakes were warmer than average during the summer of 2016, although they were still below the maximums recorded since 1980. The full set of lake responses to increased summer surface water temperatures is complex, but warm temperatures favor fish like bluegills, largemouth bass and carp to the detriment of coolwater species like walleye and yellow perch.

Source: R. Lathrop, UW Center for Limnology

Science Lake Trends

LAKE ECOLOGY ZEBRA MUSSELS

Zebra mussels. Photo credit Tom Smith.

Daphnia. Photo credit Jake Walsh.

In the fall of 2016, Clean Lakes Alliance citizen monitors reported an explosion of zebra mussels throughout lakes Mendota and Monona. These reports confirm that this invasive species is now fully established in these two lakes, and will likely spread to the other Yahara lakes in the near future. Zebra mussels were first reported in Lake Mendota by UW-Madison Center for Limnology scientists in the fall of 2015, although the invasion likely came from a boat transfer a few years earlier.

In addition to phosphorus levels, water clarity is impacted by complex food web interactions. Invasive organisms disrupt the balance of life and can impact water quality in complex ways. In 2016, conditions in Lake Mendota benefitted from a good year for Daphnia, a microscopic organism that lives in our lakes and feeds on algae. In recent years, the Daphnia population in Lake Mendota has been under attack from the spiny water flea. However, in 2016, the population was robust and likely contributed to good lake conditions.

The full effect of zebra mussels once they reach their maximum population density in the Yahara lakes is still uncertain. Results from other lakes suggest increases in water clarity in the middle of the lakes will occur, but shoreline management problems could get worse. Problems include increased aquatic plant growth, and possible increases in blue-green algae scums and filamentous algae, which grows on the lake bottom and looks like slimy, green moss. We need to continue our efforts to decrease lake phosphorus levels to help address this problem.

SPINY WATER FLEA

Spiny water fleas, discovered in Lake Mendota in 2009, are still present in the lakes. The spiny water flea population is fully established and, at its recent peak density, was ten times higher in Mendota than in other lakes studied by scientists. The phosphorusrich environment of the Yahara lakes has created good conditions for spiny water flea growth. While the spiny water flea are probably here to stay, efforts to control phosphorus runoff will help keep water quality under control.

FISHERIES

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources manages the recreational fisheries population in each lake. As a result of their work, the Yahara lakes are regional destinations for fishing. The Department of Natural Resources surveys the fish in each lake on a five-year rotation. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, fisheries manipulations helped to increase the population of Daphnia, improving water clarity. However, with the recent invasion of spiny water fleas and zebra mussels, the lake food web is changing again. Fisheries managers are taking a â&#x20AC;&#x153;wait and seeâ&#x20AC;? approach to see how these changes impact the lakes.

Spiny water flea. Photo credit Jake Walsh.

AT A GLANCE: 2016 REPORT CARD Lake Water Quality

Mendota

Monona

Wingra1

Waubesa

Kegonsa

2016 Median total phosphorus

0.022 mg/L

0.040 mg/L

0.044 mg/L

0.042 mg/L

Total phosphorus, median of years 2000-2009

0.030 mg/L

0.034 mg/L

0.056 mg/L

0.053 mg/L

0.070 mg/L

0.032 - 0.020 mg/L

0.052 - 0.03 mg/L

2016 Visibility depth

7.2 feet

6.2 feet

4.8 feet

3.6 feet

Secchi visibility, median of years 2000-2009

5.7 feet

4.9 feet

2.0 feet

3.0 feet

5 - 8.1 feet

3.1 - 5.3 feet

2016 Water temperature maximum

80 °F

78 °F

81 °F

82 °F

Water temperature, median of years 1980-2014

78 °F

79 °F

80 °F

8 days

26 days

36 days

17 days

N/A

E.coli

E.coli, blue-green algae

E.coli

E.coli, blue-green algae

38 days

33 days

8 days

10 days

2016 Aquatic plant harvesting

199 loads

842 loads

238 loads

97 loads

25 loads

Harvesting, median of years 2007-2016

204 loads

638 loads

99 loads

71 loads

23 loads

2016 summer maximum

851.15 feet

846.42 feet

N/A

845.83 feet

844.14 feet

Date of 2016 maximum

09/25/2016

09/23/2016

N/A

09/24/2016

09/25/2016

Phosphorus (July-August, milligrams per liter)

Range for good water quality Water Clarity (July-August, feet)

Range for good water clarity Water Temperature2 (July-August, degrees Fahrenheit)

Beach Closures (days) 2016 beach closures Reason for closures Closures, median of years 2005-2016 Aquatic Plant Harvesting (harvester loads)

Lake Levels (feet about sea level)

Historic maximum

852.74 feet

847.86 feet

N/A

847.22 feet

845.72 feet

Date of historic maximum

06/06/2000

06/16/2008

N/A

06/17/2008

06/16/2008

65 days

81 days

79 days

81 days

82 days

Ice on dates

01/01/2017

12/16/2016

12/9/2016

12/15/2016

12/14/2016

Ice off dates

03/07/2017

02/27/2017

03/06/2017

03/11/2017

12/20

12/15

11/29

N/A

Ice Conditions (days) 2016-2017 ice duration

Median Freeze Date Median Opening Date Median Duration of Ice Cover

04/04

03/30

03/25

N/A

104 days

115 days

N/A

1 Phosphorus and Secchi for Lake Wingra is 1996-2007 median and temperature is 1996-present median 2 Maximum temperatures averaged for 0-10 foot depths For sources and references, see page 54

STATE OF THE LAKES IN 2016 In this sixth annual report on the state of the Yahara Lakes, we present a snapshot of lake water quality and other lake metrics for 2016. Information on beaches, lake levels, aquatic plant harvesting and ice conditions was provided by city and county agencies and non-profit watershed groups.

PHOSPHORUS

Phosphorus levels in the lakes vary annually depending on the amount of runoff and summer temperatures. Excess phosphorus is known to promote the growth of blue-green algae that clouds the water and can sometimes produce toxins. 2016 phosphorus and clarity conditions were good in all the lakes, according to DNR criteria, and represent what we hope to achieve on a consistent basis by continuing to reduce phosphorus loading into the lakes.

WATER TEMPERATURE

Water temperature can impact summer water quality because blue-green algal blooms tend to proliferate in warmer temperatures. Water temperatures in 2016 were slightly higher than the long-term median in each lake.

BEACHES

Beaches and near-shore conditions are impacted by many factors including high phosphorus levels, which fuel algal blooms, and heavy rain events, which can carry fecal matter from urban animals and lead to closures due to E. coli. In 2016, Lake Mendota and Monona beach closures were less than the long term medians for each lake, significantly less for Lake Mendota. Lake Wingra

Science 2016 Report Card

View of the Isthmus from Olin-Turville Park.

had a significant increase in closures due to high E. coli. Goodland County Park beach on Lake Waubesa had an increase in closures, mostly due to blue green algal blooms.

HOW DO WE RATE LAKES? The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources established the following criteria to establish excellent, good, fair, and poor conditions for phosphorus levels and water clarity.

ICE COVER

The last decade has seen the shortest duration of ice cover on the lakes since record keeping began in 1852. The lakes are freezing later and breaking up earlier. Within this trend, there is still year-to-year variability. The result is less time for winter activities like ice boating, ice skating, ice fishing and other icedependent sports. Since the 1850s the winter ice season has been shortened by 25%, about a month.

>0.059

Phosphorus (milligrams per liter)

Water Clarity (feet)

Deeper Lakes (Mendota & Monona)

0.055 - 0.034

0.032 - 0.020

<0.020

Shallower Lakes (Wingra, Waubesa & Kegonsa)

0 - 2.7

2.9 - 4.6

5 - 8.1

>8.1

Shallower Lakes (Wingra, Waubesa & Kegonsa)

>0.103

0.096 - 0.055

0.052 - 0.030

<0.030

0 - 1.5

1.6 - 2.9

3.1 - 5.3

>5.3

Poor

Fair

Good

Excellent

Poor

Fair

Good

Excellent

Photo by Cal DeWitt.

Science Lake Mendota 2016 Water Clarity 2016 Water Clarity:

2016 Phosphorus Levels 2016 Phosphorus Levels:

Good/Excellent 7.2 feet Good/Excellent

Good/Excellent 0.022 mg/L Good/Excellent

LAKE MENDOTA Lake Mendota is the largest of the lakes in the Yahara chain. The land surrounding the lake is primarily agricultural and is experiencing rapid urban growth. The large loads of sediment and nutrients that flow into Lake Mendota from its tributaries are carried down the chain of lakes via the Yahara River and represent the largest source of excess nutrients in the lower lakes. The Yahara CLEAN Strategic Action Plan for Phosphorus Reduction, published by Clean Lakes Alliance in 2012, outlines 14 actions to reduce phosphorus from Lake Mendota watershed sources. In the urban areas of the Mendota watershed, the majority of improvements will come from better controls on construction erosion and stabilizing urban waterway banks to reduce erosion. In the rural areas, most phosphorus reduction will come from improving cropping and other agricultural practices and from more strategic applications of nutrients and manure by producers through nutrient management planning.

2016 PHOSPHORUS LEVELS AND WATER CLARITY

.030

.034

.020

.018

.026

.030

.022 2016

Lake Mendota Median Median Clarity Clarity Excellent Good

1980-89

1990-99

2000-09

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

Poor

Fair

7.2

2015

4.9

.23/year

2014

4.9

Flushing rate

2013

4.6

2012

5.6

Mean depth (feet)

2011

9.7

2010

4.3

Shoreline (miles) Maximum depth (feet)

2000-09

5.7

9,842

1990-99

6.6

72,094

Surface area (acres)

1980-89

Clarity (feet)

Watershed area (acres)

Lake Mendotaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s beaches were open most of the summer, with only eight beach days lost out of a total 792 possible days (99 days times 8 beaches). All of the closures were due to high E. coli levels. Spring Harbor lost six days and the Governor Nelson State Park and Tenney Park beaches were closed once each.

.046

0.00

.037

0.01

Excellent

0.02

BEACHES Lake Mendota

Fair Good

0.03

6.2

Water temperature can impact summer water quality because blue-green algal blooms tend to proliferate in warmer temperatures. Lake Mendota water temperature in 2016 was slightly higher than the long-term median.

0.04

Total Phosphorus (mg/L)

2016 phosphorus and clarity conditions were good in all the lakes and close to excellent in Lake Mendota, according to Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources criteria. The conditions we experienced in 2016 represent what we hope to achieve on a consistent basis by continuing to reduce phosphorus loading into the lakes.

Lake Mendota Median Phosphorus 0.05

Science Lake Mendota

View of Lake Mendota from Observatory Hill.

2016 Lake Mendota Beach Closures

THE COST OF INVASIVE SPECIES

Lake Mendota Beaches

Blue Green Algae

High E.coli

High E.coli & BGA

Total Closures (of 99 beach days)

Median Closures 2010-2016

Governor Nelson

Marshall

James Madison

Mendota County

Tenney

Warner

Memorial Union

Spring Harbor

Total

Source: Public Health - Madison & Dane County

FRIEND GROUPS Friends of Cherokee Marsh cherokeemarsh.org Friends of Pheasant Branch pheasantbranch.org

Once an aquatic invasive species is established, there’s usually no going back. But there are still steps we can take to prevent the spread of invasive species.

When a new invasive species makes itself at home in a lake, it can have a cascading impact on the ecosystem and even the economy. University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers recently published a study estimating that a single invasive species – spiny water flea – has cost our community $140 million in damages to water clarity alone. Learn more on page 11.

Dane County participates in the statewide Clean Boats, Clean Waters campaign by providing aquatic invasives removal stations at boat launches and by dispatching inspectors to provide outreach during the summer. You can help combat invasive species of all types by cleaning equipment of mud, water, and plants when you travel Wisconsin this summer, and never dumping aquariums or bait. It makes a difference for our ecosystems Mendota Rowing Club at James Madison Park. Photo Somsamay Hompothichak. and by our economy!

Science Lake Monona

LAKE MONONA Lake Monona is the second lake in the Yahara chain, heading from north to south. Water from Lake Mendota flows towards Lake Monona via the Yahara River. The land surrounding the lake is mostly urban and is fed by the Yahara River, Wingra Creek, and Starkweather Creek. Urban areas cover a significant portion of the watershed for Lake Monona. The largest municipality in the watershed, the City of Madison, is participating in the Yahara WINs adaptive management project to fund projects that reduce phosphorus throughout the Yahara watershed and initiating stormwater management projects within the city to reduce phosphorus runoff. The Yahara CLEAN plan for the Lake Monona watershed calls for action to improve the management of leaves and reduce erosion from construction sites.

LEVELS

Good

0.03

1.3/year

.032

.028

.027

.026

.030

.026

.022 2016

Lake Lake Monona Monona Median Median Clarity Excellent

Good

5 4 3

Fair

Clarity (feet)

2 1

1980-89

1990-99

2000-09

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

Poor

Flushing rate

2015

6.2

2014

4.6

Mean depth (feet)

2013

.41

Maximum depth (feet)

2012

3.6

2011

4.9

Shoreline (miles)

2010

4.8

3,274

2000-09

3.6

61,643

Surface area (acres)

1990-99

4.9

Watershed area (acres)

1980-89

BEACHES

Lake Monona

.034

0.01

Excellent

0.02

0.00

Water temperature can impact summer water quality because blue-green algal blooms tend to proliferate in warmer temperatures. Lake Monona water temperature in 2016 was slightly higher than the long-term median.

Lake Mononaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s beaches were closed 26 days out of the total 693 possible beach days (99 days times 7 beaches), mostly due to high E. coli. Once again, Esther Beach lost the most days, 11, all due to high E. coli. See the box on the opposite page for information about improvements to Esther Beach. Olin was the only beach that closed due to blue green algal blooms.

Fair

0.04

.038

2016 phosphorus and clarity conditions were good in all five Yahara lakes, according to DNR criteria for deep and shallow lakes. Lake Monona clarity and phosphorus levels were much improved from the longer-term medians for the lake. The conditions we experienced in 2016 represent what we hope to achieve on a consistent basis by continuing to reduce phosphorus loading into the lakes.

LakeMonona MononaMedian MedianPhosphorus Phosphorus Lake 0.05

5.7

2016 PHOSPHORUS AND WATER CLARITY

.036

Good/Excellent 0.022 mg/L Good/Excellent

5.6

2016 Phosphorus Levels 2016 Phosphorus Levels:

Good 6.2 Good

Total Phosphorus (mg/L)

2016 Water Clarity 2016 Water Clarity:

Science Lake Monona

Anglers on Lake Monona.

2016 Lake Monona Beach Closures

REVITALIZING OUR BEACHES

Lake Monona Beaches

Blue Green Algae

High E.coli

High E.coli & BGA

Total Closures (of 99 beach days)

Bernies

BB Clarke

Brittingham Park

Esther

Hudson

Olbrich

Olin

Total

Source: Public Health - Madison & Dane County

FRIEND GROUPS Friends of Monona Bay friendsofmononabay.blogspot.com Friends of Starkweather Creek starkweatherfriends.org

Median Closures

beaches, private piers, and public access points. Today, our team of volunteers visits 79 sites across all five lakes at least once per week during the summer. The volunteers share information like algae presence, water clarity, and water temperature on lakeforecast.org - a one-of-akind effort to report on conditions as they occur. Learn more on page 37.

2010-2016

The five Yahara lakes boast 58 miles of lakeshore and 22 public beaches. Accounts of Madison in the early 1800s praised the white sandy beaches, clear water, and sandy lake bottoms. Years later, our lakes have gone through many changes, but our beaches and lakeshores are still where most people interact with the lakes. In 2013, Clean Lakes Alliance began to train volunteers to monitor water conditions at local

Our community continues to make investments in our lakeshore parks and beaches. In response to water quality concerns and closures at Esther Beach on the south shore of Lake Monona, the City of Madison is making improvements to the parkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s stormwater infrastructure. The storm sewer will be rerouted from an outfall next to the beach to a treatment swale, with a rain garden to treat runoff from the shelter and path â&#x20AC;&#x201C; resulting in a healthier beach.

Science Lake Wingra

LAKE WINGRA Lake Wingra is a small, shallow lake located within the City of Madison. The lake is connected to Lake Monona via Wingra Creek. Because of its urban environment, the lake faces many challenges, including excess nutrients and road salt from urban runoff. In recent years, the lake has seen improvements in its water quality thanks to the efforts of a concerned and active citizen group, the Friends of Lake Wingra and its partnership with the City of Madison. Because of that partnership, a new watershed plan was developed and is being implemented for Lake Wingra.

2016 PHOSPHORUS AND WATER CLARITY

LEVELS

Lake Wingra Median Phosphorus 0.10

0.00

Fair .040

0.02

1996-2007

2008-2015

2013

2014

2015

2016

Excellent

Lake LakeWingra WingraMedian MedianClarity Clarity 6.0

BEACHES

Good

3.6

Fair

2.4

2016 Lake Wingra Beach Closures

Mean depth (feet)

Flushing rate

.77/year

Total Closures (of 99 beach days)

Median Closures 2010-2016

Vilas

Source: Public Health - Madison & Dane County

1.2

4.8

Maximum depth (feet)

High E.coli & BGA

5.2

High E.coli

3.6

345

Shoreline (miles)

Blue Green Algae

2.6

Surface area (acres)

Lake Wingra Beaches

3.7

3,456

2.0

Watershed area (acres)

1996-2007

2008-2015

2013

2014

2015

2016

0.0

Poor

Clarity (feet)

4.8

The Lake Wingra beach at Vilas Park was closed for 36 days (out of a total 99 possible beach days), all due to high E. coli. Lake Wingra

Excellent

0.04

The 2016 clarity and phosphorus levels continue to be good, according to the DNR criteria for deep and shallow lakes.

Good

0.06

.031

Prior to the carp removal, during 1996-2007, median summer phosphorus was 0.056 mg/L and Secchi transparency was 2.0 ft. After the carp removal, during 2008-2015, median phosphorus and Secchi were 0.032 mg/L and 3.2 feet respectively â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a major improvement for the shallow lake.

0.08

.031

Lake Wingra summer water quality conditions are linked to the March 2008 removal of carp from the lake.

.051

Good 0.04 mg/L Good

.032

Good 4.8 feet Good

.056

2016 Phosphorus Levels 2016 Phosphorus Levels:

Total Phosphorus (mg/L)

2016 Water Clarity 2016 Water Clarity:

Science Lake Wingra

FRIEND GROUPS

Friends of Lake Wingra lakewingra.org

RAKING FOR OUR LAKES Photo credit Roger Bannerman

Friends of Lake Wingra has been working with the City of Madison to make the connection between observed amounts of leaves in the street and phosphorus in stormwater. During the fall, volunteers rake leaves and weigh them to collect more information about urban phosphorus. Ultimately, this information can be used to incentivize local governments to engage in better leaf management. This pilot has already expanded to other municipalities and Friends of Lake Wingra plans to continue data collection in 2017. Friends of Lake Wingra also has a goal of having 1,000 rain gardens planted in the Wingra watershed, of which they have recorded more than 100. In 2016, Friends of Lake Wingra used a grant from the Natural Resources Foundation to distribute signs to recognize local rain garden owners. The group also canvassed homes that are eligible for reduced-cost rain garden installation when the city reconstructs Monroe Street to spread the word about the opportunity. These efforts join ongoing work to combat rising chloride levels in the highlyurbanized Lake Wingra watershed. Learn more at lakewingra.org.

Science Lake Waubesa 2016 Water Clarity 2016 Water Clarity:

2016 Phosphorus Levels 2016 Phosphorus Levels:

Good 3.6 feet Good

Good 0.044 mg/L Good

LAKE WAUBESA Moving from north to south, Lake Waubesa is the third lake in the Yahara chain of lakes. The Yahara River flows from Lake Monona through Upper Mud Lake to Lake Waubesa and carries phosphorus from the upper lakes into Waubesa. This makes upstream improvements in phosphorus runoff important for the health of Lake Waubesa. Land use around Lake Waubesa is a mix of urban and rural. According to the Yahara CLEAN plan, much of the phosphorus reduction within the Lake Waubesa watershed will come from improving agricultural practices and from improving control of construction erosion.

LEVELS

Good .053

.058

.051

.066

.055

.054

.044 2016

Excellent

.071

2015

Lake LakeWaubesa WaubesaMedian MedianClarity Clarity

Good

1980-89

1990-99

2000-09

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

Poor

Fair

3.6

4.3/year

2014

3.0

Flushing rate

2013

2.8

2012

2.3

Mean depth (feet)

2011

1.6

Maximum depth (feet)

2010

2.1

2000-09

2.6

2,080

Shoreline (miles)

1990-99

3.0

28,160

Surface area (acres)

1980-89

3.1

Watershed area (acres)

0.02

Clarity (feet)

Lake Waubesa

0.04

0.00

BEACHES

In spite of the good water quality in the center of the lake, where phosphorus and clarity are tested, the Lake Waubesa beach at Goodland County Park was closed 17 times (out of a total 99 possible beach days), mostly due to blue-green algal blooms. Algae problems along shorelines can be a problem when there is a high concentration of phosphorus in the lake, even when water clarity in the middle of the lake is good.

0.06

.072

Water temperature can impact summer water quality because blue-green algal blooms tend to proliferate in warmer temperatures. Lake Waubesa water temperature in 2016 was slightly higher than the long-term median.

Fair

0.08

3.6

2016 phosphorus and clarity conditions were good in all the lakes, according to DNR criteria for deep and shallow lakes. 2016 clarity and phosphorus levels in Lake Waubesa were better than the longer-term medians for the lake. The conditions we experienced in 2016 represent what we hope to achieve on a consistent basis by continuing to reduce phosphorus loading into the lakes.

Lake Waubesa Waubesa Median MedianPhosphorus Phosphorus 0.10

Total Phosphorus (mg/L)

2016 PHOSPHORUS AND WATER CLARITY

Science Lake Waubesa

FRIEND GROUPS

Lake Waubesa Conservation Association waubesa.org

Aquatic plant harvester on Lake Waubesa.

2016 Lake Waubesa Beach Closures

LOWER YAHARA RIVER TRAIL

Beach

Blue Green Algae

High E.coli

High E.coli & BGA

Total Closures (of 99 beach days)

Median Closures 2010-2016

Goodland County

Clean Lakes Alliance sustaining founder Lands’ End had a hand in making this trail a regional asset. Over the past five years, Lands’ End has volunteered with Dane County and Clean Lakes Alliance staff at Lake Farm County Park to remove invasive plants and restore a healthy forest understory.

Source: Public Health - Madison & Dane County

Lands’ End volunteers at Lake Farm County Park.

Photo by Cal DeWitt.

In 2016, Dane County started construction of the Lower Yahara River Trail. When completed, this bike and pedestrian trail will extend 2.5 miles and connect the communities of McFarland and Stoughton to the City of Madison, bridging the upper and lower Yahara lakes. Phase one of the trail is nearing completion. This phase involves extending a bike path through Lake Farm County Park, and building a floating boardwalk alongside an existing railroad trestle that crosses Lake Waubesa.

Once the trail opens, bikers will be able to see down to the Lake Waubesa lakeshore as they head through Lake Farm County Park, and enjoy the scenery on the boardwalk crossing Lake Waubesa. The next phases will include extending the bike path along the north shore of Lake Kegonsa, through Fish Camp County Park and Lake Kegonsa State Park, and south to meet with the City of Stoughton.

Science Lake Kegonsa

2016 Water Clarity:

2016 Phosphorus Levels:

3.6 feet Good

0.042 mg/L Good

LAKE KEGONSA Lake Kegonsa is the lowest and fourth lake in the Yahara chain and is surrounded primarily by agricultural land. Lake Kegonsa is connected to the upper lakes via the Yahara River, which carries phosphorus into Kegonsa, making improvements in phosphorus runoff in the upper lakes important for the health of Lake Kegonsa. According to the Yahara CLEAN plan, reductions to the phosphorus load entering Lake Kegonsa will come from work in the watersheds of the upper lakes and from improvements to agricultural cropping practices in the Lake Kegonsa watershed. Some improvement will also come from improving control of construction erosion in urban areas in the watershed. Door Creek, a tributary to Lake Kegonsa, has been selected by Dane County as a focus area because it has the second-highest phosphorus loading from agricultural land in the Yahara watershed. The plan for Door Creek calls for working with landowners to install management practices, like farm nutrient management planning, and structural practices, like grassed waterways. Through its harvestable buffer program, Dane County has installed over six miles of buffers on land that drains into Lake Kegonsa.

Fair Good .086

.070

.082

.065

.064

.071

.080

.073

.042

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

Excellent

.075

2011

Lake LakeKegonsa KegonsaMedian MedianClarity Clarity Good

1980-89

1990-99

2000-09

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

Poor

Fair

3.6

3.0/year

2010

2.6

Flushing rate

2000-09

2.6

1990-99

2.3

Mean depth (feet)

1980-89

1.6

Lake Kegonsa State Park beaches are not routinely monitored for blue-green algae.

0.00

2.3

Shoreline (miles) Maximum depth (feet)

BEACHES

0.02

2.0

3,210

0.04

3.0

34,560

Surface area (acres)

0.06

3.1

Watershed area (acres)

0.08

3.1

Water temperature can impact summer water quality because blue-green algal blooms tend to proliferate in warmer temperatures. Lake Kegonsa water temperature in 2016 was slightly higher than the long-term median.

0.10

Total Phosphorus (mg/L)

2016 phosphorus and clarity conditions were good in all the lakes, according to DNR criteria for deep and shallow lakes, and Lake Kegonsa was no exception. In 2016, Lake Kegonsa clarity and phosphorus levels were much better than the longer-term medians for the lake. The conditions we experienced in 2016 represent what we hope to achieve on a consistent basis by continuing to reduce phosphorus loading into the lakes.

Lake Kegonsa

Lake Lake Kegonsa KegonsaMedian MedianPhosphorus Phosphorus

LEVELS

Clarity (feet)

2016 PHOSPHORUS AND WATER CLARITY

Science Lake Kegonsa

FRIEND GROUPS

Friends of Lake Kegonsa Society kegonsa.org Lake Kegonsa State Park docks at dusk.

CARP REMOVAL IN LAKE KEGONSA Photo credit Cindy Guiney.

In the spring of 2017, Lake Kegonsa joined Lake Wingra and Cherokee Marsh on Lake Mendota in removing invasive carp. Carp feed on the bottom of the lake and stir up sediment and phosphorus, reducing clarity.

and waves, sediment and silt on the bottom of the lake, and pulled up two anchors, a boat ladder, and other debris. Still, it was a successful catch, and the fishermen said they would definitely be back.

Friends of Lake Kegonsa contracted with commercial anglers, who were able to remove 20,000 pounds of invasive carp from Lake Kegonsa for sale in New York. The fish will be served as a part of traditional holiday celebrations.

This harvest was part of a larger partnership with the Department of Natural Resources and UWMadison Center for Limnology to study carp in the lake, using radio transmitters to determine where fish congregate in the winter and spring. Clean Lakes Alliance contributed a $5,000 grant to support the effort. Learn more at kegonsa.org.

The commercial anglers used nets to pen the fish, then sorted and returned game fish to the lake. Along the way, they had to contend with wind

ACTION In this section, we report on our community’s collective progress towards the Yahara CLEAN goals. We present a snapshot of the work done in 2016, and highlight examples of the actions taken by partners to improve water quality in our lakes, rivers, and wetlands. View of the isthmus from the UW-Madison Atmospheric, Oceanic & Space Sciences Building.

PLAN 2020: A CLEAR PATH FORWARD The objective of the Yahara CLEAN Strategic Action Plan for Phosphorus Reduction is to reduce phosphorus runoff into the lakes by 50 percent. The Yahara CLEAN roadmap – guided and endorsed by government partners – will result in more days when our lakes are clear and our beaches are open. To meet our goals, we have developed a strategic plan, Plan 2020: A Clear Path Forward, and eight focus areas to guide our work from 2017-2020. Each of the eight focus areas include goals, action priorities, and measurable action outcomes. Four of the focus areas will help us accelerate actions outlined in the Yahara CLEAN roadmap. But we need to do more than just the technical work to address phosphorus runoff. We also need to increase community engagement and build support for citizen and government action. For this reason, four of the focus areas will build on

our strong educational programming and popular festivals and events to increase community engagement. Clean Lakes Alliance is well positioned to push action forward in these eight focus areas. With Plan 2020: A Clear Path Forward guiding our work, we are optimistic that we can empower action, advocacy, and donations to achieve cleaner lakes. In the end, everyone benefits as more people realize the lakes are the center of our community. Our collaborative and transparent strategic planning approach has involved the input of:

• Over 100 board and committee members • Over 700 current donors • One-on-one meetings with our major implementation partners

• Over 50 meetings to solicit feedback

To reduce phosphorus, we must increase community engagement with the lakes. The healthier our lakes become, the more we can engage with them, creating a positive cycle of change.

Action Plan 2020

OUR EIGHT FOCUS AREAS Clean Lakes Alliance will use our strengths in these eight areas to advance local work to clean up our lakes. By pushing for faster action on the Yahara CLEAN plan and by doubling down on public engagement, we will be able to achieve healthier lakes, sooner.

FOCUS AREAS TO ACCELERATE YAHARA CLEAN PHOSPHORUS ACTIONS 1. Farmland management - providing funding and enhancing partnerships that help farmers manage farmland and manure in a way that protects lake water quality

2. Leaf management - engaging and educating citizens, building alliances to enhance messaging, and promoting action to highlight the connection between leaves in the streets and water quality

3. Innovative solutions - providing leadership in developing, promoting, and advancing innovative approaches

4. Construction erosion reduction - engaging and educating citizen leaders and building alliances so that erosion from construction sites does not degrade lake water quality

FOCUS AREAS TO INCREASE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 1. Education - advancing knowledge about the lake challenges, benefits, and actions to promote a sense of lake ownership and increase political support and funding for lake protection

2. Volunteerism - engaging businesses with meaningful volunteer action, education, and donation opportunities to support lake protection and restoration

3. Monitoring - engaging citizen water quality monitors and reporting on community progress in meeting 50% phosphorus reduction targets

4. Citizen action - building alliances and creating tools to enable citizens to take action at home, at their workplace, and throughout the community to reduce phosphorus runoff and improve water quality

Action Yahara CLEAN 14 Actions Chart

Yahara CLEAN Plan Actions

YEAR-TO-DATE PROGRESS

Status Target

2014

2015

2016

Comments

Urban (pounds of phosphorus reduced) [1]

Improve leaf management

4,100

TBD

USGS is studying impact of leaf management practices

[2]

Control construction erosion

3,600

420

320

660

18%

Dane County is improving education and enforcement

[3]

Maintain permitted stormwater facilities

2,500

TBD

Partners are inventorying facilities

[4]

Stabilize urban waterway banks

2,100

760

1,230

1,260

60%

Partners continue to stabilize banks

[5]

Reduce total suspended solids in stormwater

1,100

370

480

610

55%

Municipalities continue to build stormwater facilities and sweep streets

Urban Subtotal

13,400

1,550

2,030

2,530

19%

We are 19% of the way to our urban goal

Rural (pounds of phosphorus reduced) [6]

Improve in-field agricultural practices

14,800

2,220

3,230

4,820

33%

Yahara Pride Farms and Dane County expand use of conservation practices

[7]

Build community digesters

7,700

1,660

22%

Two have been built

[8]

Remove additional phosphorus at digesters

5,100

Dane County will install a nutrient concentration system at Middleton digester

[9]

Manage manure and nutrients

2,100

1,100

1,290

2,040

97%

UW-Madison published manure storage study

[10]

Dredge drainage ditches

600

Once practices are in place on land, we can remove phosphorus from drainage ditches

[11]

Stabilize rural waterway banks

1,000

Work to identify projects is underway

[12]

Relocate or cover livestock facilities

600

130

210

36%

Dane County continues to identify sensitive facilities

[13]

Harvest wetland plants

600

Work is needed to identify suitable sites

[14]

Restore wetlands in key areas

300

690

130

720

239%

Partners have exceeded goal

400

1,060

1,620

Carryover for cost-share practices

32,800

6,200

7,370

11,070

34%

We are 34% of the way to our rural goal

TBD

Alternative technologies will play a role in the face of challenges like climate change

46,200

7,750

9,400

13,600

29%

We are 29% of the way to our overall goal

Rural carryover practices Rural Subtotal Alternative & Emerging Technologies Total

The Yahara CLEAN Strategic Action Plan for Phosphorus Reduction provided a roadmap and 14 actions to clean our lakes. This report card shows the progress we have made.

In 2016, partners kept 13,600 pounds Construction on community digester in Springfield of phosphorus out of our lakes, bringing us 29% of the way to our 2025 goal. URBAN ACTIONS Municipalities have put in place many projects that reduce the amount of phosphorus entering our lakes, including stormwater management projects like pond construction, erosion control at construction sites, and stabilizing urban waterway banks In total, urban actions have diverted about 2,500 pounds of phosphorus from the watersheds around each lake.

RURAL ACTIONS Farmers, especially in the Lake Mendota watershed, have partnered with Yahara Pride Farms, Dane County, and Yahara WINs to put in place improved cropping, tillage, and field management practices to divert significant amounts of phosphorus. Two manure digesters, near Middleton and Waunakee, account for another significant diversion of phosphorus from the lakes. In total, rural actions have diverted about 11,000 pounds of phosphorus from the lakes.

Action 14 Actions Chart View of Lake Wingra from the UW-Madison Atmospheric, Oceanic & Space Sciences Building.

HOW WE CREATED THIS CHART MOVING FORWARD Pounds of phosphorus are estimated using the best available modeling. Yahara CLEAN figures use a delivery factor to the lakes and may differ from total maximum daily load figures reported by partners. Carryover is reported for practices, like streambank restoration, that deliver benefits over multiple years.

As we have implemented the Yahara CLEAN plan, we have adjusted our strategies to account for the latest technologies and research on phosphorus reduction practices. The Clean Lakes Alliance Committee on Strategic Implementation, which includes members from the university, government, engineering, and farming communities, meets monthly to discuss implementation. As we develop new approaches, the blanks in the report card will begin to fill in.

Action 2016 Project Highlights

This section highlights phosphorus-reduction projects completed by partners in the watershed in 2016. Find your city or town in the following pages, and be sure to thank your community leaders for investing time and funds for clean water!

URBAN ACTIONS Urban areas represent about 29 percent of the room for improvement in the Yahara CLEAN plan. Most urban land is developed, and storm sewers and pavement move water quickly. This creates narrow windows for action to remove phosphorus from stormwater before it reaches the lakes, presenting both an opportunity and a challenge.

DANE COUNTY URBAN WATER QUALITY GRANTS

Photo credit UW-Madison Water Sustainability & Climate Project.

Since 2005, Dane County has offered cost-sharing grants to communities to fund cost-effective treatment of urban runoff.

• In the City of Madison, improvements to

In 2016, Dane County awarded participating municipalities cost-sharing grants for $1.2 million of projects, including: • In the Town of Middleton, the reconstruction of Hickory Woods Basin west of Lake Mendota • In the City of Fitchburg, the reconstruction of Byrne Pond bioretention facility

• In the City of Madison, improvements to Manitou

Starkweather Creek north of Lake Monona

• In the City of Madison, improvements to Willow Creek on the UW-Madison campus

Pond in the UW-Madison Arboretum west of Lake Wingra

Urban Actions City of Madison

CITY OF MADISON In 2016, the City of Madison worked on projects and programs to improve water quality, including: Photo by Ben Yahr.

Upper Yahara treatment pond. Photo credit Phil Gaebler.

Owen Park swale. Photo credit Phil Gaebler.

UPPER YAHARA RIVER

OWEN CONSERVATION PARK

WINGRA WATERSHED PLAN

From 2012 to 2017, the City of Madison has designed and installed three wet detention basins that provide treatment for 480 acres that previously drained untreated stormwater into the Upper Yahara River.

The Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first regenerative swale conveyance device was installed in Owen Park in 2016, joining drainage way upgrades made in 2013. The structure consists of a series of infiltration cells planted with native plants and small rock dams.

In an average year, these basins remove over 220 pounds of phosphorus. The ponds have been planted with native wetland plants, which create habitat and forage for wildlife in addition to the water quality benefits.

The swale receives water from an upstream detention basin and provides an opportunity for water to soak into the ground before it drains into the channel.

The City of Madison in conjunction with Friends of Lake Wingra has completed the Wingra Watershed Plan, which was adopted in 2016. This plan addresses issues with chlorides, phosphorus, and increased runoff volume. The recommendations and projects listed in the report will guide water quality efforts around Lake Wingra. See page 19 for more information about ongoing work by the Friends of Lakes Wingra and partners.

Urban Actions Fitchburg, Middleton, Monona McKee Farms. Photo credit Cory Horton.

Schluter Cove. Photo credit Brad Bruun.

Confluence Pond. Photo credit Gary Huth.

CITY OF FITCHBURG

CITY OF MIDDLETON

CITY OF MONONA

In 2016, the City of Fitchburg completed the Schumann Greenway and McKee Farms Park northwest pond projects. The City restored a 1,300-foot-long channel and dredged and expanded the existing basin, which will capture sediment and phosphorus. Over 294 acres of urban development drain through the channel and pond, which ultimately discharge into Nine Springs Creek.

In spring of 2017, the City of Middleton will conclude a multi-year effort to restore the efficacy of its most important stormwater facility, Confluence Pond. Located upstream of U.S. Highway 12, the facility is critical to preserving the quality of runoff to Pheasant Branch and Lake Mendota. The total quantity of material removed will be between 16,000 and 20,000 cubic yards of sediment.

In 2016, the City of Monona installed two new stormwater devices in Schluter Park and restored 255 feet of shoreline on Lake Monona along the Schluter Cove Channel, including native wetland plantings. These stormwater devices will serve 100 acres of land. The project also involved dredging sediment from the bottom of the channel and replacing two degraded outfalls.

Also in 2016, the City of Fitchburg converted the Lacy Heights Pond from a dry detention pond to a wet pond and biorentention facility, which will treat and infiltrate stormwater runoff.

In the fall of 2016, the City of Middleton partnered with the Madison Area Municipal Stormwater Partnership on a pilot study encouraging residents to remove leaves from streets prior to rain. Preliminary results indicate that door-to-door visits, targeted mailings, and electronic reminders prior to rain were successful in engaging residents in leaf removal efforts.

In 2016, Monona increased collection of leaves and street debris by 12% and 16% respectively over 2015, with a new residential leaf management campaign planned for 2017. City crews perform monthly inspections of stormwater treatment devices and clean them as needed, along with scheduled annual maintenance using a new catch basin vacuum truck.

The City of Monona continues to invest in public outreach and staff educational opportunities, and now has two licensed erosion control inspectors on staff.

Urban Actions DeForest, UW-Madison, Cottage Grove, Shorewood Hills

Streambank stabilization. Harlan Hills East Pond. Photo credit Joleen Stinson.

Memorial Union Terrace at UW-Madison.

VILLAGE OF DEFOREST

UW-MADISON

VILLAGE OF COTTAGE GROVE

In 2016, the Village of DeForest restored three sections of the Yahara River adjacent to the Upper Yahara River Trail for a total of 350 feet stabilized. The project addressed erosion concerns, established native plantings, and increased public access. DeForest also installed a new stormwater retention basin at the north industrial park.

With over 4.5 miles of shoreline property on Lake Mendota, the University of Wisconsin-Madison has more lake frontage than any other university in the country. In 2016, the University implemented stormwater management techniques in the iconic Memorial Union Terrace. Structural soil vaults for eight new shade trees will capture and use stormwater on site. The historic 1929 terrace features permeable natural stove pavers allowing infiltration into sandy subsoil.

Private developers constructed four wet detention ponds and one infiltration basin in the northwest area of the village. When development is complete, the Village will conduct ongoing operation and maintenance.

The recent campus master plan update aligns campus landscape and green infrastructure goals. When implemented, the plan is expected to improve water quality by decreasing total suspended solids by 45%, while strengthening the campus connection to Lake Mendota and the larger watershed.

SHOREWOOD HILLS In partnership with an adjacent redevelopment, Shorewood Hills retrofitted two bio-retention areas into the grass terrace area of Marshall Court, capturing 65 pounds of sediment each year.

SUPPORTING GOOD WORK

Let your elected officials and city staff know that you support local efforts to protect water quality. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see your municipality listed here? Contact your local government office directly to learn more about water quality projects.

Rural Actions Adaptive Management

RURAL ACTIONS

Around 71 percent of the potential for phosphorus reduction in the Yahara CLEAN plan lies in rural actions. Rural actions often require less costly infrastructure than urban actions and can provide a bigger phosphorus-reduction impact per dollar. That’s why local farmers and rural communities are one of our biggest assets when it comes to changes on the land and in the lakes.

ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT FULL-SCALE PROJECT In 2016, the Yahara Watershed Improvement Network, known as Yahara WINs and led by Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District, transitioned to a 20-year full-scale watershed adaptive management project, building on the successful four-year pilot. Adaptive management is a cooperative approach where all sources of phosphorus, including agricultural producers, municipalities, wastewater treatment plants and others, work together to improve water quality. This approach allows our community to find the most cost-effective ways to reduce phosphorus runoff, and address pollution upstream before it reaches our lakes, using a mix of rural and urban reduction practices. Municipal participants in Yahara WINs include cities, villages, towns, wastewater treatment plants and others that have signed an intergovernmental agreement to work collaboratively to address phosphorus. This includes providing funding to support phosphorus reduction efforts, with the amount contributed by participants based on the phosphorus reduction needed to meet their phosphorus allocation under the Rock River Recovery plan.

WATERSHED ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT

• Led by Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District

• $1.4 million in total annual contributions • Partnership between municipalities, farmers,

wastewater treatment plants, non-profits and others

• Uses a mix of urban and rural reduction practices

• $100,000 annual contribution by Clean Lakes Alliance

Collectively, Yahara WINs participants contribute $1.4 million annually to this effort. Clean Lakes Alliance contributes an additional $100,000 per year, which will fund more phosphorus reduction practices. These contributions are leveraged by funds provided by others, including Dane County, United State Geological Survey, state and federal programs, the MG&E Foundation, grants administered by Yahara Pride Farms, and investments made by individual agricultural producers. Farm & Digester Tour.

Rural Actions Dane County

DANE COUNTY The Dane County Land Conservation Division helps landowners plan, design, and implement conservation practices with the goal of protecting water quality and conserving soil in Dane County.

CONSERVATION PRACTICES AND NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT In 2016, Dane County staff provided cost-share funding to landowners to implement conservation practices, including: • 21 acres of harvestable grass buffers • 4 acres of grassed waterways • 279 acres of cover crops • 25 acres of permanent vegetation • Two manure storage facilities As part of Yahara WINs efforts, Dane County documented 40,808 acres of land in the watershed covered by a nutrient management plan, compared to 22,372 acres documented in 2015. Practices covered in these plans will keep significant amounts of phosphorus out of nearby waterways.

Ag Innovation Days.

LEGACY SEDIMENT REMOVAL Research done by Dane County staff led to a proposal to remove phosphorus-laden sediment from 33 miles of streams north of Lake Mendota. In tandem with conservation practices installed on farmland, the $12 million initiative will remove phosphorus that has accumulated in streams over more than a century. If left alone, the sediment would continue to leach phosphorus for 99 years, exceeding state standards. The phosphorus-laden sediment will be removed by low-impact hydraulic dredging, piloted in a section of Dorn Creek in 2016, revealing gravel stream bottoms and improving habitat.

Dorn Creek.

Gravel streambottom (and a snapping turtle), after sediment removal

Rural Actions Yahara Pride Farms

YAHARA PRIDE FARMS Yahara Pride Farms is a farmer-led, non-profit organization working to improve soil and water quality in the Yahara Watershed. The group seeks to recognize good land stewardship and advance new ideas and technology that promote clean water and profitable farms. Clean Lakes Alliance provided administrative, financial, and program support for Yahara Pride Farms in its founding years. The organization became its own, independent non-profit in 2015. Today, we continue to partner with the group to help bridge the communication gap between our urban and rural communities.

Cover crops.

Manure composting at Ag Innovation Day.

CONSERVATION COST-SHARE

MANURE MANAGEMENT

Cost-share programs provide a financial incentive to compensate farmers for their investment in time, land, or seed for conservation practices â&#x20AC;&#x201C; protecting often slim margins of profitability per acre. In 2016, thanks to grants from Yahara WINs, Yahara Pride Farmers implemented 5,124 acres of cover crops, 1,165 acres of strip tillage, and 730 acres with a combination of practices. These practices keep soil and valuable nutrients, including phosphorus, on the field where they belong.

In 2016, Yahara Pride Farms continued to advance options for nutrient management. One promising technique is windrow manure composting, which is a cost-effective way of turning animal waste into valuable compost.

Yahara Pride Farms once again offered cost-share equipment rentals for low-disturbance manure injection, covering a total of 1,126 acres. This practice, which Yahara Pride Farms helped bring to the watershed, allows farmers to apply manure six inches under the surface, minimizing soil disturbance and reducing runoff.

Crops and a field buffer. Yahara Pride Farms Chair Jeff Endres at Ag Innovation Days

Yahara Pride Farmers continue to partner with the two existing community digesters in the watershed, which process dairy waste, produce energy, reduce pathogens, and separate phosphorus solids from the manure stream.

Manure injection demonstration at Ag Innovation Day.

LOW-DISTURBANCE MANURE INJECTION This practice, which Yahara Pride Farms helped bring to the watershed, allows farmers to inject manure while minimizing soil disturbance and reducing runoff.

ENGAGEMENT Clean Lakes Alliance engages with the community through our programs and events. We believe that the more people engage with our lakes, the better off our lakes will be.

SAVE THE DATE

CUNA Mututal volunteer day.

2017 Yahara Lakes 101 Lake Science CafĂŠ 2nd Thursday of the month except December The Edgewater Save Our Lakes Community Breakfast Wednesday, May 3 Monona Terrace Loop the Lake Bike Ride Saturday, July 29 Olbrich Park Shoreline Swim Saturday, July 29 Law Park Fore! Lakes Golf Outing Monday, September 18 Maple Bluff Country Club 2018 Frozen Assets Festival February 2, 3 and 4 The Edgewater Frozen Assets Fundraiser Saturday, February 3 The Edgewater cleanlakesalliance.org/events

RENEW THE BLUE VOLUNTEER DAYS With 58 miles of lakeshore in our watershed, shoreline maintenance is a big job. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re lucky to have dedicated municipalities and community groups working to keep our parks and beaches healthy. Through our volunteer days, we connect these organizations with businesses looking for meaningful volunteer opportunities for their employees. In turn, volunteers learn about local ecosystems and watershed health by picking up trash, removing invasive species, and helping establish native plants.

449 VOLUNTEERS IN 2016

= 10 Volunteers

Engagement Lake Monitoring

Visit www.lakeforecast.org during the monitoring season to view up-to-date condition information for your favorite beach.

Volunteer monitor checking water clarity using a turbidity tube.

WATER QUALITY MONITORING

SEE YOU AT THE BEACH

Conditions on our lakes can change very quickly. During the beach season, our team of trained volunteers test 79 sites across all five lakes at least once a week to monitor clarity, temperature, algal blooms, and other important metrics.

In 2016, more than 4,000 people used Lake Forecast before heading to one of Madison’s 22 public beaches, and 6,000 people watched Clean Lakes Alliance’s “Lake Report” before spending a weekend on the water.

In 2016, we continued a clean and safe beaches initiative with targeted, more frequent bacteria sampling and achieved 100% monitoring coverage at public beaches.

Over the course of the monitoring season, our trained volunteers sampled water quality 1,720 times at 79 sites across the five lakes, measuring everything from temperature and water clarity to algae blooms. Clean Lakes Alliance staff also conducted 118 targeted E. Coli tests at local beaches.

Thanks to partners including Public Health Madison & Dane County, the UW-Madison research buoy in Lake Mendota, Clean Lakes Alliance monitoring, and more, residents can head to the beach knowing the latest conditions.

WHAT WE MEASURED

1,720

Sampling Events

Lake Reports

118

E.coli Bacteria Tests

Monitoring Sites

610

Donated Hours

Engagement Access & Education

YAHARA LAKES 101 Each month, Clean Lakes Alliance invites a different expert to present at our science café series. By choosing timely topics and inviting experts in the field, we help put the latest research on lake issues in front of those who can apply it, from policy makers and business leaders to engaged residents. What we learned about in 2016: • Legacy sediment removal • Manure management • Climate impacts on stormwater and flooding • Land use changes and water quality

LEAF-FREE STREETS When our streets are clear of leaves, our lakes benefit. Leaves contain phosphorus, which promotes algae growth in the lakes. This fall, when you rake your yard, clean leaves out of the street too!

YAHARA WATERSHED ACADEMY

In 2017, Clean Lakes Alliance launched the Yahara Watershed Academy in partnership with Sustain Dane, Aldo Leopold Nature Center, UW-Madison, Edgewood College, and the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District. Starting with the inaugural class of 25 students, this five-month course, which meets once a month, will build a network of watershed captains that will lead change within their neighborhoods and places of work. Thank you to our major funders, American Family Insurance Dreams Foundation, Madison Community Foundation, and the Village of DeForest for making this program possible. Visit yaharawatershedacademy.org to learn more.

Engagement Access & Education

FARM & DIGESTER TOUR

LAKE EXPLORER CAMP

In partnership with Yahara Pride Farms, Clean Lakes Alliance hosts educational farm tours geared towards an urban audience. Participants leave with a better understanding of how farmers promote healthy soil and water, including how facilities like manure digesters support nutrient management.

The Lake Explorer Camp teaches lake ecology to kids on the shores of our local lakes. In the summer of 2016, the camp moved to Brittingham Boats on Monona Bay. Over 180 students from the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County investigated fish biology, read topographical maps, identified critters under the microscope, practiced casting and fishing, and learned boat safety and paddling skills.

The tours promote awareness of conservation practices happening in our watershed and create connections between the urban and agricultural communities.

Help send a kid to lake camp by donating at cleanlakesalliance.org/lake-buddy.

Royal Bank of Canada volunteer day.

Engagement Fundraising Events

Every year, Friends of Clean Lakes and our dedicated volunteers and committee members host a variety of successful fundraising events, allowing us to grow our presence in the community and engage with residents on lake issues.

FROZEN ASSETS 2017 For three days, The Edgewater on Lake Mendota hosted families from across the area for the sixth annual Frozen Assets. The festivities got more than 6,000 people out on frozen Lake Mendota and raised $170,000 in net proceeds for our lakes. Highlights from this year’s festival: • 87 fat bike race competitors • 28 professional ice fishing teams • Dozens of kites • 110 sleigh rides • 2,400 s’mores Thank you again to our major sponsors, Lands’ End Outfitters, CG Schmidt, Hovde Properties, Spectrum Brands, and The Edgewater!

Ice ridge on Lake Mendota.

SAVE OUR LAKES COMMUNITY BREAKFAST Every year, the Save Our Lakes Community Breakfast brings the community together to review our progress towards healthier lakes. The event serves as Clean Lakes Alliance’s annual meeting where we assess actions taken towards our phosphorusreduction goal and launch new initiatives for the year ahead. Presentations include the State of the Lakes Annual Report and the Save Our Lakes video series. In 2016, more than 600 people attended, including members of the business community, government agencies, and community groups. Many were inspired to join in and make a donation to support our work to clean up the lakes.

Engagement Fundraising Events

SHORELINE SWIM

LOOP THE LAKE

FORE! LAKES

Many people in the community rely on clean water for swimming. The 1.2 or 2.4-mile Shoreline Swim in Lake Monona raises funds for lake improvement efforts and brings the swimming community together for a fun and competitive event.

The Loop the Lake Bike Ride is one of Friends of Clean Lakesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; most visible events of the year.

The Fore! Lakes Golf Outing brings local business and community leaders together for a friendly golf tournament while raising the profile of lake issues.

In 2016, 173 swimmers took to the water to support clean lakes, our biggest swim to date.

In July, 573 riders of all ages joined us for a fun 12mile loop around Lake Monona and raised $30,000 for our lakes. At the end of the day, we met up with Paddle & Portage and the Shoreline Swim for a joint celebration at Olbrich Park!

In 2016, 34 foursomes participated in our biggest event to date and raised $40,000 for our work to reduce phosphorus runoff. Thank you to our major sponsor, Johnson Bank!

JOIN US AT AN EVENT: Visit cleanlakesalliance.org/events to sign up for an upcoming event. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d love to say hello! 41

THANK YOU, VOLUNTEERS 2016

Every year, hundreds of volunteers share their time and skills with Clean Lakes Alliance. These people embody our â&#x20AC;&#x153;healthy lakes, healthy communitiesâ&#x20AC;? vision by doing their part to improve our watershed. Thank you! Mary Beth Adams Daniel Adams Deb Adelman Brenda Allen-Johnson Nichole Ames Rochelle Anders Jake Anderson Peter Andrews Kelsey Annen Kim Aponte Megan Aprahamian Vishnu Aravati Allen, Claire & Ava Arntsen Rhonda Arries Andrea Aultman Jill Ball Sarah Balz Roger Bannerman Tonya Barr Shelly Bartelt Nate Baskfield John Batson Stephen Beck

Jackie Bellis Doug Belt Rachel Bensinger George Benton Alex Bentz Sarah Best Carolyn Betz Anthony Biasiotla Tom Bick Corbin Bielefeldt Lauri Binius Droster Cathie Bisher David Blinka Chris Bolgrihn Kristine Botsford Ben Bradford Lauren Bradshaw Jonathan Brand Allan Brennan Ryan Breon Lisa Brocket Kitty Brussock Grace Burkard Sarah & Joseph Burkhart

American Family Insurance at Warner Park.

Nik Burmeister Jillian Burnette Victoria Cagnon Andrew Camillo Kathy Campbell Joe Campsure Sergei Capaul Mike Caple Kathy Carl Mark Caskey Becky Chen Shuai Chen Eric Christenson Dan Christy Colin Chritton Abby Churchill Tyler Claeys Jack Clark Kimberly Cleary Rhonda Clerkin Jeff Cofsky John Cohen Betsy Collins Jim Cordray Leon Creary Timothy Crummy Josie & Peter Cyffka Jack Dallimore Kelsey Daykin Sophie Debuisson Justin Delorit Nicole Deschler Will Dickson Anna Dietrich Nicholas Dillon Oakes Dobson Nik Dolgner Michael Donald Nicole Donovan Anna Dontie

Pag Dreessen Mitchell Dreker Matt Droese Bruce Droster Michelle Dunn Ashton Duplessie Debbie Durcan Bethany Ecenrode Samuel Eckert Dan Edwards John Egan Jenna Ehrensaft Miranda Ehrlich Ashley Eklund Leslie Elkins Brian Ellison Kramer Endres Abbie Ernst Sasha Etheridge Danielle Falcone Karen Faller Katie Fedeli Tia Federman Anthony Ferzoco Renee Fish Will Flanigan Nick Flatt Melissa Flores Jake Fostner Jerome Frank Michaela Frank Tracy Fritz Erika Frondorf Megan Fullerton Tim Gaffigan Benjamin Gafner Cassie Galbraith Emily Garcia Justin Garcia Michelle Gatz

Becky Gebhardt Audra Geldmacher John Gendveau Matt Genovose Blake Germain Robert Gilbert Carol Gillen Purva Goel Lance Goodman Stacie Govier Laura Graham Rachel Graham Kerry Graskewicz Dan & Maria Gray Abe Gustafson Cole Gustke Connie Hagen Haley Hallada Chris Hammond Matt Hankins Dave Hanson Marsha Harnett Stacy Harnett Sarah Harris Tracy Harvey Dr. Galen & Grace Hasler Kimberly & Ada Hazen Karli Heimen Mary Henke Matt Hennek Linda Hext Nancy Higgs Marc Hill Les Hoffman Mary Holman Jennifer Hook Josie Hopkins Anne Hore Mike Horn Alejandro Hotchkiss

Matt Hultman Melanie & John Humphrey Meredith Humphrey Austin Hurd Jack Hurst Ashley Irwin Talaidh Isaacs Camilie Jackson Laura Janisch Austin Jasniewski Elaine Jasrosz Jerry Jendrisak Anna Jendusa Tamarra Jenkin Jim Johnston Garrett Jones Mark Jung Ben Kagan RaeAnna Kahler Gary Kallas Anirudh Kamalapuram Muralidhar Idah Karonga Colleen Keegan Brian Keenan Paul Kennedy Sasha Kerlow Nathan Killam Joan Kirkhuff Alex Kirwan Lisie Kitchel Adam Klaus Donna Klinkner Kerri Klippel Woody Kneppreth Heidi Knoche Peter Kohl Arlene & Jeff Koziol Gunnar Kravchuk

Engagement Volunteers Kurt Kravchuk Marie Kravchuk Leo Krenz Katja Kunzke Andy & Nicole Kurth Amanda Kysely Jared Ladish Bill Lamm Stefanie Lannoye Kristin Lapsley Emma Lark Dea Larsen Converse Jodi Lasse Megan Lazarte Tim Lechmaier Lauren Leckwee Mainou Lee Terri Lefebvre John Leggett Amy Leichliter Michael Lesar Rebecca Leskinen Allan Levin Shannon Lewis Rachel Ley Qixin Li Lindsi London Steven Long Erin Love Bryan MacDonald Gretchen Macht Erin Mackesey Sadia Majid Lorelei Malmborg Linda Maloney Anna Maly Mark Markel Heidi Marquis Mike McCarthy Mel & Carol McCartney Elise McCune Courtney McDermid Tom & Mary McGinnis Ryan McGuire Lindsay McIvor Colleen McKenna Elaine Meier Leigh Meier Julie Meixelsperger

Landsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; End at Lake Farm County Park.

Jake Mende Matthew Olson Aaron Meyer Mia Osborne Zihan Miae Craig Ostrom Dan Michalak Mitchell Oswald Bennett Miyajawa Jolyn Owen Kaytlin Moeller Samantha Paddock Harshini Mohan Amber Palmer Jon Monna Kaia Palm-Leis John Morris Blair Panhorst Anne Mortensen Renee Parton Eugene Mortensen Maggie Pascaly Nate Mortensen Michele Peacock Melissa Moy Dick Pearson Matthew Mueller Melissa Petersen Samantha Neary Kristen Peterson Thomas Nelson Jane Petzoldt Christy Nesja Wade Pittman Cameron Neuhauser Luke Plamann Sharon Neuroth Laura Podlich Charles Newcomb Michelle Polacek Tri Nguyen Mandy Pom Anthony Nicholas Laura Populin Claire Nitschke Brian Potts Lexi Noeldner Pathanchali Derek Norby Premachandra Elizabeth Norman Junior Quintero Len Nosal Steven Radeztsky Michael Nuenninghoff Hector Ramirez Abigael Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien Harmon & Nell Ray Tyler Okonek Anne Readel Michelle Okray Shannon Reader CUNA Mutual Group Zak volunteer day. Joe Oliver Redding

Greta Reed Angela Rhiel Angie Rieger Noah Rieger Justin Rivait Kristen Robinson Ryan Robinson Ana Roden Bryan Rodriguez Meghan Roed Joni Roggenbuck Patricia Rohn Chloe Rosdail Mei Rush Will Salmon Sarah Sapiro Rebecca Sartori Marc Sasala Mindy Scheiner Tim Schell Juliette Schick Elisabeth Schlaudt Aaron Schmidt Jaclyn Schmidt Silke Schmidt Evan Schmitz Emily Schneider David & Beta Joy Schroder Joseph Schroeder Pat Schwartz Deb Selchow Dani Sentz

Sterling Shepherd Michael & Brenda Sherry Elliot Shiben Mary Claire Shibilski Johnathan Silignavong Dustin Simons Troy Sims Brent Skupien Cassandra Slaby Tom & Mary Anne Smith Amanda Smith Chris Smith Emily Smith Cole Soffa Caitlin Soley Karen Sorkness Chris South Maureen Sover Kim Sprecher Jean Stajich Jay Stampen Kelly Stark Brenda Statz Alex Steeno Haley Stepanek Rachel Stern Lynn Strasser Mariah Stulken Jamin Suber Margaret Sutter Coral Swanson Kirk & Betsy Swenson

Carter Tesch Brent Teske Lavonne Theis Katy Thostenson Melissa Thousand Faye Tracy Sara Triggs Natalie Trueman Balaji Tummala Joe Turbett Andy Turza John Tye Joshua Urbarek Chanante Uthaisar Phi Gamma Delta volunteer Jan Van Vleck Janet Van Zoren Joylin Varnes Megan Veach Patty Wahl Sarah Walkenharst Lillian Wallace Marcia Wallace Ellis & Catherine Waller Parker Waller Ken & Melissa Walz Ryan Watt Daniel Wear Dylan Weber Ben Webster Haiyan Wei Mark Wellnitz Damien Weslowski Mary Westphal Heather Wheiland Jane Wichman Jim Wilcox Heather Willborn Cole Williams Steph Wilt Dan Wisniewski Paige Wonders Andrew Wood Steve Xiong Molly Yang Yeejkim Yang Jared Yanna Jack Zavoral Michelle Ziegler David Zoffo

Financials 2016

REVENUE AND OTHER SUPPORT Programs and sponsorships

As is illustrated on the previous pages in this report, Clean Lakes Alliance and our cause is supported by a large and diverse group of individuals, businesses, and other organizations. Total revenue and other support increased approximately 13% over 2015 and has grown over 44% since 2013. This growth in support is a testament to Clean Lakes Alliance’s dedication to our mission and the growing community of concern around the “state of our lakes.” Each year as donations have increased, Clean Lakes Alliance has been able to invest more funds in community engagement and phosphorus reduction efforts. Notably, Clean Lakes Alliance has increased the number of individual and smaller business donations, building a stronger and more sustainable base of support. With this trend, there has been an increase in fundraising costs as a percentage of supporting activities. Without the addition of larger donors, we expect a similar breakdown in future years. Last year’s report indicated that we had completed the separation of Yahara Pride Farms and Clean Lakes Alliance into two separate 501(c)(3) organizations and that the financial impact of this agreement would be reflected in the 2016 report. The total net assets, or $623,198, reflect a reduction in net assets of $207,484, as reported by our independent auditors, associated with the Yahara Pride deconsolidation. Clean Lakes Alliance, as in the past, continues to support the Yahara Pride Farms organization with in-kind administrative efforts and on-the-ground practice funding. We look forward to continuing to build our community movement for our lakes.

2016

2015

$285,535

$110,026

Individual

201,404

184,594

Corporate

77,589

203,926

Grants

68,573

56,170

In-Kind Occupancy

9,000

80,616

Legal

179,979

149,408

Program services/supplies

128,273

55,831

72,210

62,944

Professional services Management fees Miscellaneous income

750 -5,644

985

-322

$1,018,654

$903,216

Outreach and education

$430,252

$465,018

Watershed programming

580,291

409,178

Management and general

182,997

274,392

Fundraising

565,527

339,943

1,759,067

1,488,531

Net assets released from restrictions

750,894

837,185

Change in unrestricted net assets

10,481

251,870

Agency endowment return Total unrestricted revenue and support EXPENSES Program services

Supporting activities

Total expenses

TEMPORARILY RESTRICTED NET ASSETS Contributions

457,871

1,116,420

Net assets released from restrictions

-750,894

-837,185

Change in temporarily restricted net assets

-293,023

279,235

-282,542

531,105

1,113,224

582,119

CHANGE IN NET ASSETS Net assets at beginning of year Reduction in Net assets-Deconsolidation of Yahara Pride Farms-2016

-207,484

Net assets at end of year

$623,198

$1,113,224

$153,450

$291,422

462,406

765,834

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION - December 31st ASSETS Cash

Jim West Treasurer Clean Lakes Alliance Executive Board

Promises to give - cash Promises to give - in-kind (occupancy expenses)

83,051

Receivable

EXPENSES

REVENUE

23,507 118,700

Prepaid Expenses

18,410

15,498

Frozen Assets Fund, held by Madison Community Foundation

18,891

17,906

Equipment - net

6,116

9,228

Intangibles -net

40,792

33,840

$783,116

$1,275,935

Accounts payable

34,326

9,751

Accrued payroll

13,296

8,201

Grants payable

54,959

91,700

Deferred revenue

57,337

52,885

159,918

162,711 75,784

Total assets LIABILITIES

Fundraising 32% Program Services 58% Management & General 10%

Grants & Endowment Return 4% Corporate 5%

In-Kind 22%

Individual 11%

Released Restricted Funds 42%

Capital lease obligation Total liabilities

174

NET ASSETS

Programs, Sponsorships & Fees 16%

Undesignated

39,481

Frozen Assets Fund, held by Madison Community Foundation

18,891

17,906

Total unrestricted assets (deﬁcit)

58,372

93,690

564,826

1,019,534

Temporarily restricted Total net assets TOTAL LIABILITIES & NET ASSETS

623,198

1,113,224

$783,116

$1,275,935

Christmas Day paddleboarders on Lake Mendota. Photo credit Amy Kothe.

Business Donors 2016

Thank you, donors! In-Kind (IK) Donations of good or services Lake Partners (LP) Business donation starting at $75, independent of tickets or sponsorships Yahara Society (YS) Annual donation of $1,000 or greater, independent of tickets or sponsorships 63 Club Our monthly recurring donation program Friends of Clean Lakes Our individual donation program

HOW TO JOIN IN: 1. Get informed and participate

Visit cleanlakesalliance.org/events to see upcoming events. Learn more about our lakes and how you can help!

2. Lead by example

Take small steps to reduce your impact on our lakes. Start by clearing leaves from the street - it makes a difference!

3. Donate

Donate to become a Friend of Clean Lakes starting at $35. See cleanlakesalliance.org/donate - every dollar counts!

4. Become a sponsor

Increase the visibility of your business and support our programming. Contact us to learn about levels and benefits!

Thank you in advance for your support. We need everyone’s help to achieve clean lakes!

DONORS 2016 Donors to Clean Lakes Alliance support our work through financial and in-kind support, and often volunteer time and expertise, recruit friends and family, and make clean lakes a priority in their lives, neighborhoods and places of work. $100,000 & Above

Sprinkman Real Estate LP YS Supreme Structures, Inc The Feed Room & No Name Farm Kennels LLC WA & DJ Frautschi Charitable Unitrust LP YS Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board LP YS

Foley & Lardner LLP IK Spectrum Brands IK LP YS

$50,000-$99,999

The Edgewater IK LP YS

$1,000-$4,999

$25,000-$49,000 Isthmus Publishing Company, Inc. Hy Cite Enterprises, LLC LP YS

$15,000-$24,999

American Transmission Company LP YS CG Schmidt LP YS Fields Auto Group Johnson Bank LP YS Perkins Coie IK The Burish Group - UBS Financial Services Inc. William Thomas Jewelers IK LP YS

$10,000-$14,999

Buye Law Office, LLC Death’s Door Spirits, LLC LP YS Gialamas Family Foundation Lands’ End IK National Guardian Life Insurance Company LP YS Olson Toon Landscaping, Inc. LP YS Omni Resources IK

$5,000-$9,999

Alliant Energy LP YS Anonymous LP YS Anonymous LP YS Bay Tree Real Estate Group, Inc. IK Madison Area Antique & Classic Boat Society - Glacier Lakes Chapter LP YS Oak Park Dental LP YS Plastic Ingenuity Corp LP YS

Acuity Consulting Services LLC Brightwork Boats LP Car-X Inc. City of Madison LP YS City of Monona Clark & Gotzler Clean Fuel Partners, LLC LP Colony Brands, Inc. Comer Family Foundation Cresa Partners Cummings Christensen Family LP YS Foundation CUNA Mutual Group Dairy Business Milk Marketing Cooperative LP YS DL & LF Rikkers Foundation Inc. DreamHouse/DreamKitchens Faith Technologies First Business Trust & Investments First Weber Foundation, Inc First Weber Inc. Friends of Lake Kegonsa Society (FOLKS)

J.H. Findorff & Son, Inc. LP YS Joan Collins Publicity, Inc LP YS John J. Frautschi Family Foundation LP YS JTKlein, Inc. Keva Sports Center Kothe Real Estate Partners Lakeshore Apartments LP YS Lewis Family C&G Fund M3 Insurance Madison Gas & Electric McGann Construction Mendota Financial Group, LLC Murphy Desmond S.C. Northwestern Mutual Old National Bank LP YS Pacific Cycle Phoebe R. and John D. Lewis Foundation LP YS

Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation LP YS Purple Moon Foundation LP YS Royle Printing IK

LP YS

General Heating & Air Conditioning Godfrey & Kahn, S.C. LP YS Habush Habush & Rottier S.C. Hausmann-Johnson Insurance, Inc. Haviland Homes, LLC LP YS Ho-Chunk Gaming Hooper Foundation Hovde Properties, LLC Husch Blackwell Ideal Builders, Inc. Lake Wingra. Photo credit Zachary Chapman.

Business Donors 2016 CUNA Mutual Group volunteer day.

Smith & Gesteland, LLP Stark Company Realtors LP YS Strand Associates, Inc. LP YS Sub-Zero Group Inc. LP YS T. Wall Enterprises, LLC LP YS The Gialamas Company, Inc. The LeeLee Foundation The QTI Group Thrivent Financial LP YS UW-Madison Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies vomFASS W.F. Baird & Associates LP YS Webcrafters-Frautschi Foundation Inc. LP YS

Weed Man Lawn Care LP Welton Enterprises, Inc. IK Wingra Boats & Brittingham Boats IK LP Wisconsin Bank and Trust WTS Paradigm LP YS Yahara Lakes Association

$500-$999

Christy’s Landing LP Coldwell Banker Success LP Frazer Consultants Hilldale Shopping Center Klinke Cleaners LP Madison Water Utility LP Monona Terrace LP Preferred Title, LLC LP Rockin’ Jump Teel Plastics, Inc LP The Roman Candle Pizzeria Waddell & Reed Advisors Yahara Software LP

$250-$499

BIOFerm Energy Systems LP Capital Brewery LP Dane County Land & Water Resources Department Eco-Resource Consulting LLC LP EZ Office Products LP Greater Madison Convention & Visitors Bureau LP Lake Waubesa Conservation Association Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District McFarland Lioness Club LP

Miron Construction Co Inc. Skipper Bud’s LP SmithGroupJJR LP Tempest, LLC UW-Extension Lakes UW-Madison LP von Rutenberg Ventures LP Wickcraft LP

$100-$249

Ale Asylum LP Capilia Hair Restoration LP Capitol Ice Arena LP Certco, Inc. LP Country Meadows Apartments LP CPU Solution Inc. LP Craig Recob Signature Real Estate LLC LP Crown Point Resort LP D.L. Anderson Marine Contractors LP Harlan LLC LP Iota of Alpha Gamma Rho Inc. LP LakeEdge Apartments LP Lakeside St. Coffee House LP Mazanet Marina LP Middleton Boat House Co. LP Monona Riverplace Dental LP National Mutual Benefit LP NAWP Madison Chapter LP Paschke Water LLC LP Pharo Marine LP R S + K LP Rutabaga Paddlesports LLC LP Town of Westport LP Trei-Four Aces, LLC LP Treysta on the Water LP Tulric Condo Association LP Waypoint Public House LP

$10-$99

Aldo Leopold Nature Center LP Ann Cardinale Real Estate, LLC LP CBRE LP Friends of Cherokee Marsh LP Friends of Lake Wingra LP Gates of Heaven Preservation Fund LP Graft Madison Kegonsa Cove Resort LP Kell Consulting, LLC LP Madison Sail and Power Squadron LP Madison School and Community Recreation (MSCR) LP Meister’s K&M Tree and Landscaping Inc. LP

Paragon Video & Stereo Phoenix Foreign Car Service LLC LP Pink House Designs Power System Engineering Inc LP Sardine The Bohemian Bauble

Grants

American Family Insurance Dream Foundation Colony Brands, Inc. CUNA Mutual Foundation Dane County Environmental Council Dane County Farm Techology Days Fund for Lake Michigan Madison Community Foundation Madison South Rotary Foundation RBC Blue Water Project State of Wisconsin DNR Yahara WINS

Employee Matching Gifts

Alliant Energy Foundation, Inc. American Transmission Company First Weber Foundation, Inc. Thrivent Financial

*Donor listings do not reflect tickets to attend an event, raffle purchases, pledges to give, or grants awarded for a future year.

Male wood duck. Photo credit Mark Jung.

*The Gialamas Company generously provided office space for Clean Lakes Alliance’s first two years, in addition to their ongoing financial support.

View of the Capitol from Picnic Point.

63CLUB The 63Club recognizes donors who support our efforts through a recurring monthly donation. Why 63? 1963 is the year that two founding partners, the Mad-City Ski Team and Landsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; End, were founded.

2016 MEMBERS $19.63 Level ($235.56 annually) Jennifer Alderman Rebecca Altenhoff Chuck & Peggy Angevine Paul & Kristine Ashe Todd & Dana Asmuth Lauren Azar Glen Bever & Dr. Jana Gyurina-Bever Dr. Steve & Jessie Beyler Jason & Vesa Bollig Curtis & Elizabeth Brink Michael Brusca Timothy Buhl Cory & Jessica Buye Elizabeth Carley Todd Carpenter David Casey Chris & Jane Clark Deron Curliss Kevin & Sarah Davidson Paul & Andrea Dearlove Brad DeBels Dan & Erin Delaney Michael Doers Brian & Beth Donley Marissa & Ryan Downs Sarah Dunn Michael Fitzpatrick Susan & David Foster Peter Foy Matthew & Laurel Frazer Eric Fritz Desi Olson & Peter Gargano

Mark Gehring Tom Gialamas Kevin & Marilee Gorman David Gorwitz Ben Gottlieb Mike & Sherry Gotzler Shane & Nichelle Griffith James & Chulee Hallick William Harrison Scott Hawley Kevin & Joellyn Helmeid Carla Mercer & Joseph Hennessy Eric & Sharon Hovde Mourad Ismail Jason Iverson Colleen Johnson Keelie Jones Robb & Jennifer Kahl Steven & Kathy Kalscheur Robert Karls Steven Kincaid Tom & Lois Klingele Michael & Karen Knetter Sue & Tim Koob John & Amy Kothe Andrew & Amy Kramer Daniel & Jennifer Kuehn Andy & Nicole Kurth Dr. Tim & Gillian Lechmaier Tyler Leeper Gregory Levesque Stephanie Mader Roger & Katya Maes

Sheliah Magee Kristian Rogers Anita Mahamed Kurt & Monika Roots Edward Matthes Michael Johnson & Robert Rosa Dayna May Jason Rosinski David Mazur Michael & Judith Rothschild Brook McGettigan Mary & John Rowe Tim Mcilwain Shana Rudy Erica Meier Brock & Teresa Ryan Al & Karen Meyer Tarek & Nicole Saleh Annette Miller Richard Schmidt Bob & Pam Miller Courtney Searles Matt & Becky Mitchell James Sendecke Todd & Jennifer Montgomery Scott & Vicki Seymour Barbie Murawski Elizabeth Shortreed Sarah Nehls-Rikkers Kelly Sitkin Timothy Neitzel Scott & Kathleen Smith Peter & Nicole Newcomer Adam & Carissa Sodersten Michael & Erica Nowicki Dianne Soffa Dan & Mary Jo Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Brien Bob & Lisa Sorge Khanh Oberley Susan Springman Ron Ohlsen Jeff Staver Ron Parton Deborah Still Eric Petersen Don & Mardi Stroud Randy & Linda Peterson Russ & Ann Tieman Angela & Scott Piering Brett & Susan Topham Joy Pontrello Eric & Lauren Vieth Brian Potts Michael Vilbrandt Beth Prochaska Andrew & Megan Walker Divya Reddy Molly Walsh Aaron & Heather Reekie Robb Warren Dr. Mark & Pam Reichelderfer Leslie Watkins John Reinders & Elizabeth Katt-Reinders Christine Wesel Chad & Katie Rhodes James & Katie West

Tina Whalen Heather Wheiland Dan White / Lizard LLC Robert & Jennifer Winding Nancy Winter

$41.63 Level ($499.56 annually) Nathan & Constance Fagre Andrew & Nicole Gundlach Erik & Amy Johnson Kevin & Beth Murphy Heath & Kim Straka

$83.63 Level ($1,000.56 annually) Tom & Kimberly Carrigan Kevin & Sheila Conroy YS Hathaway Dilba YS Patrick & Lloyd Eagan YS Aris & Marta Gialamas YS Dr. Galen & Grace Hasler YS Dave & Chas Martin YS Stacey Neu YS Tyler & Tina Noel YS Keri Peterson YS Jeff & Amy Supple YS Nicole Tucker YS Gabriel Neves & J James Tye III YS Robert & Mary Weber YS William Thomas Jewelers YS

YS = Yahara Society

Yahara River.

Individual Donors 2016 $5,000 and up

Ross Bowler YS David & Julie Lumley YS Jean & Walter Meanwell YS Jan Terry YS

Photo by Thomas Klingele

$1,000-$4,999

Dr. & Mrs. C.J. Anderson YS Mark & Peggy Bakken YS John Batson YS Joseph Boucher YS Doran & Pat Cicchetti Jason YS Mark & Carol Cullen YS Mark Femal YS Joe & Elizabeth Ferreri YS Ryan & Elizabeth Fields YS Diane & Kevin Fitzgerald YS W. Jerome Frautschi YS Richard & Patricia Friday YS Michael & Claudia Gerner YS Kevin & Marilee Gorman YS William Haight YS Susi Haviland YS Scott & Gigi Kelly YS Gerald & Kelley Kilcoyne YS Glenn Reinl & Sara Krebsbach YS Nancy Mohs YS Stacey Neu YS Joe & Mary Ellen Sensenbrenner YS Randy & Nancy Trachte YS Ronald Trachte YS Sal & Judith Troia YS John & Kris Tye YS Enid & Jerry Weygandt YS Catherine Zdeblick YS

$500-$999

Philip & Helen Bradbury Jane Coleman Jeannie & Tom Flesch Matt Frank Charles Gates Larry Hands & Karen Kendrick-Hands Tom & Joyce Hirsch Clare & Nancy Hutson Al & Karen Meyer

Michael & Erica Nowicki Robert & Angela Oliver Kellie Unke & Mike Paulies Mark & Lois Solverud Lon Sprecher Christopher Stark Jeff Staver Donald & Joanne Tierney Tom & Angela Walker Robert & Mary Weber

$150-$499

Richard Arnesen Doug Bach Charles Baumann Dave & Theresa Beck-Engel Brad & Madonna Binkowski Daniel & Nancy Boe Jason & Vesa Bollig Bob & Lynn Bolz William & Treva Breuch Andy & Anna Burish Brian Butler Roy & Sue Carter Michele Casper Lauri Morris & James Cole Christine Cox Dennis & Linda Davidsaver Diane Dempsey Cliff & Joanne Dibelius Doug & Lisa Dillman Greg Dombrowski Warren & Missy Dunn Deanne Eccles-Rotar Tim & Vikki Enright Mike & Carrie Euch Wendy Eudey Nathan & Constance Fagre Herman Felstehausen

Kathy Schlimgen & Robert Fillingame J.M. Fish Grant & Sarah Frautschi Joseph Fritz Brian & Jennifer Gabrielse Robert & Jenifer Gilbert Paul Gorchels & Jennifer Sabatini Lee & Susan Gorud Tony & Linda Granato Andrew & Nicole Gundlach Richard & Sandy Hall Terry & Mary Hanson Thomas Haag & Tina Hanson Jeffrey & Ruth Hellenbrand Brian & Annette Hellmer Brian & Julie Hornung David Silverberg & Elizabeth Huebel Linda & John Hughes Mike & Mary Jensen Doug & Janet Johnson Darrell & Candy Johnson Thomas & Bridget Keepers Brian & Dorothy Kilgore Scott & Mary Kolar Tom Kuehn Grant & Lori Laplant Richard & Beth Lepping Brian Martin Bob & Ruth Martin Howard Mazur Michael & Clare McArdle Walter & Stacey Meanwell Gary & Lynn Mecklenburg Paul Molinaro Paul & Nancy Peckham Alan Penn Lois & Larry Pfister David & Mary Quade Tom & Karen Ragatz

Dr. Mark & Pam Reichelderfer Jerry & Diana Rekowski Layton & Diane Rikkers Gerald Ring Paul Robbins Diane Seder & Bruce Rosen Jack & Sarah Salzwedel Emil & Eloisa Sanchez Jane & John Scharer John & Linda Schilling David & Beta Joy Schroder Carol & Dean Schroeder Greg Searle Paul & Lesta Searles Jay & Pat Smith Robert Smith & Patricia Brady Tim & Lori Stadelman Marsha Lindsay & Rick Stone Kurt & Nikki Studt Gerald & Vicki Swedish Thomas Terry Sheryl & Michael Theo Marie & Grant Thomas Cathy Sullivan & James Twesme Doug & Susan Ward Frederick Wenzel Seth Williams Kim & Aaron Zell

Become a donor today at cleanlakesalliance.org

Individual Donors 2016 $50 - $149

Anne Pryor & Steve Ackerman Mark Walters & Jane Adams Dick & Virginia Adler Mike & Diane Anderson Ron & Patty Anderson Sandra Anderson Chuck & Peggy Angevine Todd & Dana Asmuth Kathleen Bailey Roger & Jane Bannerman Terry & Nancy Barton Kathleen Baus James Beane Teri Bell Michael & Kim Bentz Leslie Bergstrom Michael Bernhard Ron & Sharla Bilchik Pamela Birschbach Joel Bodilly Michelle Bond James Borling John & Karen Bottorff Rick Bova James Bowers David Boyer Cary & Jill Bremigan Mary Kay Brimeyer Paul & Cyndie Brown Dan & Julia Brummel Eileen Bruskewitz Virginia Bunbury Jeanne Burns-Frank Jamie Campbell Joe Campshure Andrea Caponi Jane Carlson Charles Carpenter Carol Carstensen Mike & Carolyn Casey Timothy Casper Michael Cavanagh Douglas & Sherry Caves Dennis & Lynn Christensen David & Jill Clinite William & Constance Clune Dr. David Cookson Lowell & Virginia Corwin Beth Cutler Josie & Peter Cyffka Richard & Vicky Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Orazio Daniel & Barbara Danahy Nicholas Davies Richard Davis

Lake Explorer Camp.

Tom Dechant Dawn Denis Londa Dewey Susan Dibbell Christine Dillon Rich & Gayla Divelbiss James & Lois Downing Jan & Jim Eisner Mary Elvekrog Jeff Endres James Esmoil Rick Esser Kevin & Carol Farrell Ken & Kathy Fellerson Beverly Fergus Cameron Field Kristen Fish Jim & Maria Fitzpatrick Chris Fortune Deborah Franklin Michael Franzen Rose & Mark Freidel Caroline Fribance Shane Fry Linda Funk Deanne Funkhouser Timothy Gill David J. Gilles Norman & Amanda Gilliland Steven & Nancy Gloe Marcia & Robin Goldberg Robert Golden Charles Gonzales

Kari & Mike Grasee Wil Guernsey Patrick & Cynthia Guiney James & Chulee Hallick Frank & Gail Hansberry Robert Hansis Eric & Teresa Hatchell Catherine Haynes Michael & Susan Heger John Hellenbrand Jessica Helmers Ellen Henningsen Gigi Holland Chris & Deb Houden Mortimer & Susan Huber John & Melanie Humphrey Stephen & Lisa Jackson James & Mary Beth Jansen James & Susan Jefferson Steven Jellinek Ken & Deb Johnson Samuel Johnson Mike Kafka Jon & Janet Kapitz Ann-Britt & Doug Keillor Janice Kellogg David Kennedy Alicia Kenneke Brent Kimbel Elizabeth Kirchstein Jerome & Deanne Klein Kathryn De Fore & Richard Kludt Dan & Tamara Knickmeier John & Janet Knoeller Annette & Robert Kolek Kenneth & Carol Koscik Kathy Koss John & Amy Kothe Kurt & Ann Krumholz Dwight & Vicki Kruse Michael Kutchin Kurt Kobelt & Kellie Kuzdas Catherine M. Lamb Connie Hagen & William Lamm Joshua Lamp Donald & Michele Last Don & Susan Lauffer Jeffrey A. & Melanie Lee Aaron & Amy Lee Matt & Rachel Lee Collette & Bill Lee Ellen Fitzsimmons & Allyn Lepeska Tim Lerdahl Allan & Sandra Levin Nathan Levy

Fishing from Wingra Dam

Jon & Karen Lindert Lybra Lindke Richard & Margaret Lofgren Art Luetke Susan and Lyle Lukas Peter & Jill Lundberg Ronald Luskin Richard & Mary Lynch Tom & Melody Lynch John Magnuson Andrea Marquardt Fink Mike Massoth Richard & Marlene Mastenbrook Hal & Christy Mayer Lois McFadden Julia McGann Nancy McGill Audra McGuire Ryan McGuire Eugene & Sondra McLinn Tom & Kate McMahan Gary Means Ken Mehlberg Leigh Meier Greg & Allison Meyer Virginia Mieden Mark Miller Phyllis Miller Robert Miller Nicholas & Elaine Mischler David Mollenhoff Andy Moore

Individual Donors 2016 $50 - $149 (Continued)

Jeff & Anne Moore Patricia Morris Stephen Morton Michael Moss Jamie & Josef Mueller Bradley Mullins David & Gretchen Navarro Cassi Neff John & Mary Neumann Dan & Karen Newcomer Amy & Jerry Nickles Dale Nordeen Ann O’Brien Catherine O’Connell John & Kathleen O’Connor Mary & Robert O’Connor Ken & Patricia Oasen Suzanne & Burke Oehrlein Peter & Cheryl Olson Irene Olson Mark Opitz Craig & Cathy Ostrom Barry & Susan Ottmann Mary Panzer Jerry & Rose Pasdo Susan & Bradley Paulson Nicole Pellerin David Petit William & Nancy Pharo William Polzin Casey Poole Pamela Porter Lewis & Vicki Posekany Brian Potts & Abigail Wuest Matthew Premo Gary Pressentin Dann & Debra Provolo David & Mary Quade Greg & Claudia Quam Christopher Queram Paul Quinlan David Rabago Fritz Ragatz Scott Recob Richard Reichardt Daniel Resnick Doug & Katherine Reuhl Steve Richards John Richter Jennifer Rios David Falk & Jo Anne Robbins Sheri Rose Kendall & Mary Rouse Michael Rupiper

Sunset over Lake Waubesa. Photo credit John Powell.

Jim & Janet Ruwaldt Jim & Barb Sainsbury Renee & Jason Salus Jenny Sanders Donald & Barbara Sanford Mike & Lauri Saunders Bob Schaller Rodney & Rhonda Scheel Laurie Scheer Mike & Mary Schlageter Eric & Karie Schmidt LaVerne Schwengel Louis Scrattish Bassam Shakhashiri Heidi Claire Strader & Sarah Shatz Jodi & Ramzi Shehadi Rebecca Shepley Michael & Brenda Sherry Randall Stifter & Beverly Shrier James Shropshire John Porco & Sarah Slack Bruce Slaughenhoupt Diane Smith Rebecca Smith Thomas Sollheim Chad Speight Susan Springman Jacob & Karen Stampen Michael Stapleton Steve Steinhoff John & Mary Storer Patrick Suprise Cathie Taylor Michael Tecku Shobhan Thakkar Richard & Margaret Thomas John & Susan Thomson Todd & Liz Tiefenthaler Joe & Kay Tisserand

Michael Torrence Jon & Barbara Townley Matthew & Catherine Tye Cindy Ulsrud Lyle Updike Ellen Utter Daniel & Cecelia Van Lanen Justin Vandenbroucke Dr. James & Harriet Vander Meer Iana Vladimirova Wendy Walker Benjamin Walker Ellis & Catherine Waller Ahnna Weber Barbara & Gene Wegner Frank & Mariana Weinhold Jim Welsh Scott Hangartner & Marianne Welsh Heather Wheiland Jim Keen & Paula White James & Joan Wilcox Jean Willard Julia & Matthew Wright Dan & Laura Wyatt Thomas & Patricia Yentz Alyssa & Brian Yogerst Peter & Dolores Zeeh Simon Anderson & Ledell Zellers Mary Zillman Mary Zins

$1 - $49

Peggy Elath Saïd & Sharon Abdel-Khalik Laura Adams George Alexander Jane Allen-Jauch Kay Altfeather Eric & Mary Anderson

Judy Anderson Bob Armstrong Robert Auner Janet Battista Fran Beach Torrin Bechtel Darrah & John Belcher Kent & Lynn Berton TJ Blitz Caitlin Blue Eric Booth Phillip Bower Kristin Braska Nancy Breden Jonathan Breunig Barbara Bronte Lauren Brown Jennifer Bruce Barbara Bryce Steven Budd Christian Burnson Joan Calkins Kathleen Campbell Conrad Campbell Cris Carpenter Wayne Charlie Kevin & Anita Connors Barbara Constans Paul & Suzanne Cranley Tom & Barbara Crozier Richard Daluge Sarah Dekraay Heath Dewitt Joanne Dischler Scott Divine David Dosch Brad & Molly Dunlap Charles & Mary Beth Dunning

Individual Donors 2016

Foley & Lardner volunteer day

$1 - $49 (Continued)

Debbie & Eli Durcan Julie Eckenwalder Jonathan Engle Ralph Erickson Ken Erickson Phyllis Ermer Sara Eskrich John Evenson Gerald Eykholt Rich & Margie Faherty Bailey Fedler Michael & Beth Fiore Michael & Susan Fox Joannah Szymczak & Jason Frankhouser Jessica Frommgen Frankie Fuller Carol & Bill Gillen Christopher Glueck Carson Goff Nicholas Wiesmueller & Cassie Goodwin Laura Graham Frank Greb Lance Green Susan Gruber Neal Gruber Ronald & Sharyn Gussick Mark Guthier Laura Haak Michael Hammers Don Hammes Jim & Marsha Harnett Warren Harrington Catherine Hein Dean & Mary Hein

Eric Heiting Glen & Cheryl Hermanson Roberta Herschleb Kevin & Ellen Hess Eric Hettler R. Tod Highsmith James & Barbara Hill Marney Hoefer Brian Hoefer Stephanie Hoffman Richard & Kathleen Holthaus Steve Howe David & Gay Huenink Susan Ihler Jim Ihrig Andy & Anne Inman Lauren Isely Carl Johansson Johanna Johnson Erik & Erica Julson Eric Katte J Samuel Keller Brian & Susan Kennedy Tim Kiefer Woody Kneppreth David & Ann Landwehr William Lane Tim Lang Alex & Dea Larsen Converse Bob & Valerie Larson Ron & Marianne Larson Dan & Peggy Lee Tom Liebl Robin Lisowski Bernard & Jeannette Lohan Susan Lubar Joan Lundin David & Kathy Lyon Gretchen Macht Oona Mackesey-Green Kelly MacVittie Renate Madsen Mark Markel Kathy Marks Kathryn Schubert & Charles Martin Ashley Massart James Matson Bill & Mauretta Mattison Carol & Mel McCartney Brendan McGrath Dennis & Carol McQuade Ezra Meyer Regina Michaelis Elizabeth Miller

Kate Mittelstadt James & Alice Model Michael Moore Kate Morand Ellen Murdoch Emile Nadeau Kristina Nardi Seth Nicholson Len Nosal Tom Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connor Katharine Odell Chris Odt Thomas & Susan Olander Corey Olson Kathryn Orenberg Leslie Orrantia Lloyd & Sandra Otteson James Palermo Robert Pearson Dick & Noel Pearson Lynn Persson Kimary Peterson Karen Peterson Barbara Watts Ploetz Keith Poniewaz Mark Porter Gail & John Poser Rebecca Power Pat Preimesberger Linda Pruss Ken & Nancy Ragland Emily Kuhn & Samuel Rajkowski Monika Ramsey Christine & Glen Reichelderfer Richard Reinke Douglas Renk Lindsay Resenhoeft Anne Rhyme Jennifer Rios Guy W. Rodgers Nelle Rogers Phil & Sara Rohs Thomas Roushar Wayne Sadek Alex Saloutos Rebecca Ross & Jason Sansone Kenneth & Patricia Scanlin Tom & Audrey Schmelling Diane Schmoller Eric Schoenherr Glen & Carla Schubert Andrew Schuster Paul & Patrice Schwartz Tommy Shannon

Stanley & Romona Sheggeby Kenneth Shults Lloyd Sinclair Claude & Elaine Smith Tom & Mary Anne Smith Scott & Kathleen Smith Jeanne Smook Kirsti Sorsa Jon & Nancy Standridge William Stangel Ryan Stenjem Karla Stoebig Todd Stuntebeck Patrick Sullivan Charlie & Vicky Talbert Alexander Teppert Robert & Edith Tholo Amelia & Trent Thompson James Thornbery Kathleen & Daniel Thorstad Carl & Karen Treml Theresa Unger Georgene Vitense Steven Vogel Carolyn Voter Chris & Deb Weis Debra Weitzel Steven & Diana Whayland Gray Williams Chris & Betsy Winterhack Jack Zavoral Liz Zelandais Carol Ziesemer Pat Zimmer

We appreciate the local, state, and federal campaign donation made through United Way of Dane County in 2016. Thank you!

Individual Donors 2016

Lake Forecasting Stewards

Conserve an Acre

Lake Buddy

Donations cover fixed equipment and staff costs for one monitoring site. Many of these donors are also volunteer monitors! Learn more and become a donor at cleanlakesalliance.org/lake-forecasting-steward.

Donations support the installation of conservation practices on farmland in our watershed, keeping soil and nutrients where they belong on the fields. Learn more at cleanlakesalliance.org/conserve-an-acre.

Donations support lake ecology education for youth, including the Lake Explorer Camp, a hands-on series of camps at Brittingham Boats on Lake Monona serving students from the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County. Donate at cleanlakesalliance.org/lake-buddy.

Allen & Claire Arntsen Jill Ball George & Susan Benton Kathleen Brussock Sarah Burkhart Kathy Carl Timothy Crummy Josie & Peter Cyffka Robert & Jenifer Gilbert Laura Graham Daniel Gray Kimberly Hazen Susan & Les Hoffman G. Michael Horn John & Melanie Humphrey Mark Jung Gary Kallas Joan Kirkhuff Jeffrey & Arlene Koziol Connie Hagen & William Lamm Mark Markel Carol & Mel McCartney

Leigh Meier Elaine Meier Robert Montgomery Harmon & Nell Ray Karl & Juliette Schick Michael & Brenda Sherry Tom & Mary Anne Smith Deborah Thomassen Janet & Michael Van Vleck Ellis & Catherine Waller Parker & Brijetta Waller Kenneth Walz Jim Welsh

Robert Alexander George & Susan Benton Nicole Bice Comer Family Foundation Daniel & Barbara Danahy Caroline Fribance Carol & Bill Gillen Mark & Julia Hautala Sarah & Nathan Herbst Stephen Holzhauer Regina Jennings Glenn Reinl & Sara Krebsbach Karl Martin Robert Pearson Will & Jessica Piatt Frank Rybeck Carroll Schaal Gaile Schwickrath Susan Sylvester Janet Van Zoeren Harvey Wendel

Anne Pryor & Steve Ackerman Michelle Arora Craig & Abby Bartlett Herman Baumann Carolyn Betz Kathleen Brussock Ryan & Elizabeth Fields Aris & Marta Gialamas Jim & Marsha Harnett Emelia & Abbie Hopper Howard & Patricia Kaufman Aaron & Amy Lee Tom & Lisa Linfield Chas & Dave Martin James & Elizabeth Munter Lynn Persson Lynn Persson Karen Pope Matt Quock David & Beta Joy Schroeder Joseph & Jamie Steuer Samuel Strauss Brian Thill Sylvia Vaccaro

References 2016

National Guardian Life Insurance Company volunteer day at Picnic Point.

SOURCES AND REFERENCES Aquatic plant harvesting data from Dane County Parks Division. Beach closures from Public Health - Madison & Dane County and Governor Nelson State Park. Clean Lakes Alliance, Strategic Action Plan for Phosphorus Reduction (2012). Flushing rate from Lathrop, R.C. & Carpenter, S.R. (2011) Phosphorus loading and lake response analyses for the Yahara lakes. Unpublished.

Gilbert, W.A., Rose, W.J., & Garn, H.S. (2012) Evaluation of the Effects of City of Middleton Stormwater Management Practices on Streamflow and Water-Quality Characteristics of Pheasant Branch, Dane County, Wisconsin, 19752008 (http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2012/5014/).

Lake levels from Dane County Land and Water Conservation Division; historic highs from Yahara Lakes Association.

Ice on/off from Wisconsin State Climatology Office (Mendota, Monona and Wingra); Lake Waubesa Conservation Association and Christyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Landing; and Friends of Lake Kegonsa.

Weather data retrieved from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the State Office of Climatology.

Lake information from Dane County State of the Waters Report, Dane County Office of Lakes and Watersheds (2008); UW-Madison Center for Limnology website; Yahara Waterways Trail Guide, Dane County Environmental Council (2007).

Phosphorus, Temperature and Secchi data from Dr. Richard Lathrop, UW Center for Limnology.

Acknowledgements 2016

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Authors Dea Larsen Converse, DLC Consulting Contributors - Science Dr. Stephen Carpenter, UW-Madison Center for Limnology Dr. Richard Lathrop, UW-Madison Center for Limnology Dr. John Magnuson, Center for Limnology David Rowe, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Dr. Kirsti Sorsa, Department of Public Health - Madison & Dane County Mike Spear, UW-Madison Center for Limnology Todd Stuntebeck, U.S. Geological Survey Jake Walsh, UW-Madison Center for Limnology Kurt Welke, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Contributors - Action Clean Lakes Alliance Committee on Strategic Implementation Anne Anderson, Mead & Hunt Jeremy Balousek, Dane County Brian Berquist, Town & Country Engineering Brad Bruun, City of Monona Paul Dearlove, Clean Lakes Alliance Jeff Endres, Yahara Pride Farms Phil Gaebler, City of Madison Cory Horton, City of Fitchburg Gary Huth, City of Middleton JJ Larson, Village of Cottage Grove Kyle Minks, Dane County Rodney Scheel, City of Stoughton Shawn Stauske, City of Middleton Joleen Stinson, Village of DeForest Aaron William, University of Wisconsin-Madison Mike Wolf, Town of Blooming Grove Thanks Christal Campbell, Madison Area Municipal Stormwater Partnership Adrienne Marvin, Friends of Lake Wingra Jan Axelson, Friends of Cherokee Marsh Peter Foy, Friends of Lake Kegonsa

Reviewers Kevin Connors, Dane County Land and Water Resources Department David Merritt, Dane County Executiveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office Michael Mucha, Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District Brennan Nardi, Madison Community Foundation Randy Peterson, LRP Consultants Amy Supple, The Edgewater Dave Taylor, Yahara WINs Photography Roger Bannerman Brad Bruun Zachary Chapman Phil Gaebler Cindy Guiney Cory Horton Luke Huston Gary Huth Mark Jung Amy Kothe John Powell Tom Smith Joleen Stinson UW-Madison Water Sustainability & Climate Project Jake Walsh Ben Yahr Printing Partner Thysse Printing Special Thanks Paul Dearlove, Clean Lakes Alliance Phosphorus reporting Luke Huston, Clean Lakes Alliance Graphic design Theresa Vander Woude, Clean Lakes Alliance Editor and contributing author Luke Wynn, Clean Lakes Alliance Watershed maps

THIS YEAR’S TAKEAWAYS • • •

13,600 pounds of phosphorus diverted 29% of the way to our 2025 goal Good, nearly excellent water clarity Expect more challenges ahead We need to come together for our water!

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