Lakes-L

Aquatic Invasive Species Highlight : Red swamp crayfish

The red swamp crayfish is a relatively new aquatic invasive species to Wisconsin. The first and so far only two findings were in southeastern Wisconsin in the fall of 2009. Esquire Estates Pond is located in the town of Germantown, Washington County and Sam Poerio Park Pond is in Kenosha, Kenosha County. The DNR was contacted when the neighbors of Esquire Estates began finding ‘small lobsters’ in their yards, and in some cases, their garages. While this sounds like a good opportunity for a crawfish boil, these crayfish cause a lot of harm to the native wildlife. Red swamp crayfish feed on almost anything and everything, which can lead to declines in the amount of aquatic plants (important habitat for many fish and insects), snails, insects, native crayfish and amphibians. Since it is a new and prohibited species in Wisconsin, the best control techniques are still being determined. Red swamp crayfish pose some unique challenges since they are aquatic but also excavate burrows in the bank. Upon verification of this new invasive species, quick action was taken to contain the crayfish and prevent spread to nearby waters. The DNR constructed containment fencing around both ponds and began intensively trapping the crayfish using modified minnow traps. Once the population sizes were lowered through trapping, a chemical treatment was applied. While reducing the numbers greatly, the chemical method did not eradicate the populations as some crayfish survived in burrows. A more intensive approach was taken in 2011 for Sam Poerio Park Pond. The pond was drained, the banks with burrows scraped and compacted and the pond completely filled in. Preliminary monitoring this spring has shown the Sam Poerio Park Pond project to be successful. DNR staff will continue to monitor nearby ponds and streams over the next several years to verify this. For the Esquire Estates Pond, the Department is currently working on an eradication plan which will be implemented this fall. A significant amount of time and money, in the order of hundreds of thousands of dollars, has been spent dealing with this new aquatic invasive species. Humans are thought to be the main method for red swamp crayfish introduction, which is why it important to obey the laws surrounding crayfish in Wisconsin. It is illegal to possess, transport, transfer or introduce any live non-native crayfish in Wisconsin, with the exception that rusty crayfish can be used as bait on the Mississippi River and kept in aquariums. If crayfish are bought on-line, in pet stores or from out of state they are most likely non-native and illegal to possess.

 

Blog post written by Erin Vennie-Vollrath & Scott Van Egeren

 

June is Invasive Species Awareness Month. For more information about invasive species, special events, and ways to get involved, visit invasivespecies.wi.gov/awareness.

Vilas County Invasive Species Coordinator Ted Ritter wins Invader Crusader Award

Vilas County invasive species coordinator Ted Ritter has accomplished a lot since he first began patrolling the Northwoods for aquatic invasives in 2004. This week, he was recognized for his achievements with an Invader Crusader Award as Wisconsin’s 2012 outstanding government official.

Ted Ritter (far left) and some of his adoring fans

Ritter’s work includes  leading the formation of WHIP, the Wisconsin Headwaters Invasives Partnership, a multi-agency cooperative invasive species management area for Vilas and Oneida counties. After learning his partners had nominated him for the award, Ritter said, “It’s wonderful to be recognized for the work, and that my peers put in the effort to nominate me means as much as the award itself.”

WHIP coordinates invasive species efforts around Wisconsin’s highest concentration of lakes by bringing together partners in federal, tribal, state, county, non-profit and private land managers, as well as natural resource education schools. Their accomplishments include a survey over 3,500 acres of privately owned forest lands within Vilas County for the presence of high priority terrestrial invasive plants.                                                                                                                                                     

After four years of work with aquatic invasives, Ritter transitioned to a full time position with Vilas County on both terrestrial and aquatics in 2008. In that time, he’s seen a lot change.

“The first couple of years, we didn’t have much state support yet,” explains Ritter, referring to DNR’s AIS grants program that has awarded $19 million to local communities since its inception 2003 and full enactment in 2005. “I didn’t have a lot to work with besides the people of Vilas County, but the outpouring of support was tremendous. The communities and landowners recognized that aquatic invasive species could have a big impact on the local economy.”

Ritter says that support has only increased. He begins each morning on the job with a plan, but it’s usually interrupted by mid-morning. “Each day is organized chaos, because the public constantly brings new issues to my notice. But that’s great, because it means our programs are working and people are paying attention.”

In spite of the chaos, and as beautiful as the lakes and woods of Vilas County are, Ritter doesn’t hesitate when asked about his favorite part of the job. “It’s the people,” he says, “My colleagues, the public, the large variety of people."

Congratulations Ted!

June is Invasive Species Awareness Month. For more information about invasive species, special events, and ways to get involved, visit invasivespecies.wi.gov/awareness. Click here to see the rest of this year's Invader Crusader Award winners.

(Blog entry written by Debbie Seiler)

AIS County Coordinator Andrew Karleigh swims to sinking boat, pulls child to safety.

WDNR’s local aquatic invasive species partners are heroes in protecting Wisconsin’s lakes, rivers and wetlands, but sometimes, a day on the water can lead to much more. What follows is the account of Fond du Lac County AIS Coordinator Andrew Karleigh when, last week on the job, he met a family in need.

 Anything can happen.

The day was May 11, 2012 and I was with some other coordinators having lunch while we talked about Lake Winnebego and watched pelicans fly over its choppy water. When it was time to go, Anna Moyer, a new AIS specialist for the Lake Michigan Basin, asked if I would show her some landings on the north end of the lake. So we took a ride over to High Cliff State Park, but there was only one trailer in the parking lot. After looking at the landing, marina, harbor and the Japanese Knotweed stand near the limestone kiln, I suggested going over to the Ninth Street Boat Launch.

Upon arriving, a first time boat owner was just pulling his boat out of the water. We talked with him about aquatic invasive species and the ways that he can help slow the spread. A family soon drove up to the dock towing a little 12 foot boat with a small motor, and as the father unstrapped his boat and got it ready for the water, we discussed invasive species and the steps you must take when moving from lake to lake. He informed us that he was aware of the laws and that he always took precautions because he did not want to move zebra mussels. He didn’t plan on doing any fishing and had no bait with him since he used the boat mainly to take his daughter on the water. 

Anna and I continued to stand at the boat landing, watching the waves as they splashed over the end of the dock and rocked the little boat. The daughter, who was about 4 years old, walked up and threw her life jacket in the boat, but her mother told her she had to wear it. The father left his life jacket lying beside him as he started the motor and pulled away with his daughter and their two dogs. As the boat moved away from the dock, Anna and I commented how it did not look all that good. The man busied himself with the area near the plug, and I went over to talk with the mother, who was still standing on shore looking very nervous.

In the middle of our conversation, she suddenly screamed “It’s sinking!” jumped in the water and began to swim slowly towards the boat. Uncertain that she could make it to the boat, now 50 yards from shore, I pulled off my shirt, threw all of my things on the beach and dove into the water.

I reached the daughter and husband first. The child was floating on a seat cushion and wailing as I began to pull her towards shore, with the father swimming behind and the dogs trying to swim over the top of us. Upon reaching shore with the screaming child and the husband we all climbed out onto a dock with Anna’s help, the mother following close behind us. The dock owner had called 911, and as fire rescue arrived, Anna and I assured the firemen that everyone was out of the water and the situation was not life threatening.

The emergency response team arrived next, put their boat in the water and proceeded to retrieve the boat that had sunk.  As Anna and I were about to leave another woman walked down the landing and asked if she could put her boat in.  Dripping wet and with the emergency crews still at work behind us, I said it would probably be better to wait for a calmer day or use another landing.

This is a reminder that on any given day, anything can happen. 

Andrew Karleigh
Fond du Lac County Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator
fdl.aisc@gmail.com
262-623-0588

 

Aquatic Invasive Species Focus Groups

February 9 marked the start of an entirely new kind of aquatic invasive species research in Wisconsin. Through a contract with the WDNR, the UW Survey Center conducted the first of five focus groups that will be held with transient boaters and anglers across the state.

 At each of these focus groups, eight boaters sit down with UW Survey Center professional Ed Nelson and WDNR sociologist Jordan Petchenik (plus some cookies and soda) for a guided discussion. Over the course of two hours, the conversation touches on participants’ AIS knowledge and experience, opinions about media samples, and their actions and values when they’re out on the water.

 “To date, all of our knowledge about how water users understand, view, and act on aquatic invasive species has come from survey questionnaires and the expertise of our local AIS staff on the water,” says AIS communications specialist Deborah Seiler. “While that information is very valuable, this is the first time we’ve had a chance to sit down with large numbers of water users and hear the long version of their stories in a guided research setting. We’re getting a snapshot of boaters across the state with much more detail than we’ve had before.”

 Since different parts of the state have different issues with AIS, the fives groups have been recruited from Brown, Dane, La Crosse, Washburn and Waukesha counties and will be held on location. Participants are selected from a random sample of registered Wisconsin boaters and anglers and pass a series of screening questions, receiving $50 for their time upon completion.

 Stay tuned as we post some of the most frequently asked questions and insights from Wisconsin’s boaters in the coming weeks!

 

(post and artwork by Deborah Seiler)

The Citizen Lake Monitoring Network

One of the most successful efforts of the Wisconsin Lakes Partnership has been “The Citizen Lake Monitoring Network.” Every year since 1986, dedicated volunteers monitor lakes statewide for a variety of different water quality and lake health indicators. The effort, which started as 126 volunteers on 113 lakes, has grown to an impressive 1,100 volunteers on 850 lakes. Today, in addition to monitoring water clarity, volunteers take chemistry samples and monitor for aquatic and shoreline invasive species.  The amount of data the Department and partner organizations receive from these volunteers is astounding and crucial for long-term lake planning.

Photo taken by Scott Provost, DNR

Water clarity data is taken using the Secchi disc method. Volunteers lower a Secchi disc attached to a marked rope into the water. The disc is lowered into the water until the disc can no longer be seen, this number is noted.  The disc is than slowly raised back up until the disc can first be seen again and this measurement is also noted. The average between these two measurements is then recorded as the clarity in feet for that day. A single reading of Secchi disc measurement is not very significant; however, numerous Secchi disc readings over extended periods of time are incredibly valuable as they can begin to describe overall trends in lake health as related to clarity.

Volunteers first began to collect chemistry data in 1990. This data is taken in order to measure the chlorophyll and phosphorous levels present in a lake. Water samples are collected four times a year and sent to the State Lab of Hygiene for analysis. Chlorophyll measurements are an indicator of algae presences and Phosphorous levels will help determine how much plant and algae life can be supported within a lake.  This data is then used to determine the lake’s trophic state at the time of sampling. The trophic state of a lake tells the extent to which eutrophication has taken place

Photo taken by Bob Korth, UWEX

Monitoring for aquatic and shoreline invasive species, while the newest, is an extremely important component. Volunteers are trained how to identify several different invasive species they are likely to find along or in their lakes. If a volunteer finds one or more of these species, they are asked to report the finding to the Department so appropriate actions can be taken. Without the eyes of volunteers throughout the state, there would be no way to know where this species currently inhabit or where they are likely to inhabit in the near future. Volunteer monitoring is also one of the ways new invasive species infestations are discovered.

The “Citizen Lake Monitoring Network” shows no signs of slowing down anytime in the near future. Volunteers are constantly becoming involved and new and different lakes are being added. With the potential for infestations of new and already present invasive species, there is plenty more to be learned about how water quality and lake health are effecting and being affected.
As long as there are folks concerned about and interested in Wisconsin lakes, the information provided by “The Citizen Lake Monitoring Network” will be critical in furthering our understanding and planning for the future.

For more information about the “Citizen Lake Monitoring Network,” visit http://dnr.wi.gov/lakes/clmn/ or call Laura Herman, Citizen Lake Monitoring Network Educator at (715) 346 -8998.

Clean Boats, Clean Waters

In 2003, a group of students in Minocqua looked at the potential impact aquatic invasive species would have on lake tourism in their town. These students then proposed a plan of action to prevent the spread of one of the aquatic invasive  species present in their community, Eurasian Water-milfoil. The Christopher-Columbus Foundation, recognizing innovation in young people then awarded this group $25,000 to devlop, publicize and distribute 150 educational tool kits to 25 counties across the state. The success of this partnership resulted in the following year's creation of the Wisconsin Lake Partnership's "Clean Boats, Clean Waters" watercraft inspection effort that continues today.

Each year, dedicated individuals initiate conversations with boaters throughout the state. They talk to boaters as they enter and exit the lakes, educating them on when and how invasive species are likely to catch a ride on boats into other water bodies. They help to remove plants, drain bilges and live wells of water and gather information on boaters knowledge of aquatic invasive species laws. These inspectors talk and educate boaters about how, by following a few simple steps, they can help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.                                    

To date, the "Clean Boats, Clean Waters" effort has employed over 2,000 volunteers at over 3,000 boat landings across the state. In 2011 alone, 217,355 boaters were contacted and 101,035 watercrafts were inspected!

2012 is expected to be another successful year for the "Clean Boats. Clean Waters" effort. A new data collection sheet will be used to help capture new information to help determine the risk each boater represents. Some inspectors will be observing boater behavior rather than engaging in conversation. These observations will then be used to better understand what steps boaters are regularly taking on their own and what steps might need to be further highlighted in the future.

                                                           

                                                                                            

 

2011 Wrap-Up

Hard to believe, but 2011 is quickly drawing to a close. "Clean Boats, Clean Waters" and the "Citizen Lake Monitoring Network" continue to grow in popularity and the data is still coming in! Let's take a look at some of the terrific accomplishments and efforts made by volunteers and our organizations to help learn about, inform the public and protect Wisconsin lakes.    

 2011 Lake Efforts by the Numbers...                     

•  47 counties actively partnering with the state to combat the spread of aquatic invasive species.
• 211,320 boater contacts raising awareness about aquatic invasive species.
• 53,110 hours spent educating boaters about aquatic invasive species prevention at boat landings.
• 97% of the boaters contacted are now aware of invasive species laws.
• 98,613 boats were inspected for aquatic invasive species and 95% of boaters inspect and remove invasive species form their boats.
• Over 25 training sessions were held throughout the state teaching volunteers how to correctly identify invasive species.
• 147 new volunteers trained to monitor for invasive species.
• 927 volunteers monitoring water quality at over 808 lake monitoring stations.
• 115 new volunteers trained to monitor water quality.

Wishing you a happy holiday season and looking forward to the 2012 efforts to protect Wisconsin Lakes!

July has flown by!

One hot 90+ degree day this month, my husband and I took our two-year old to Sandy Beach on Rock Lake (Lake Mills). My son loved the water The lake was beautiful. Just a lone floating fragment of milfoil spotted. Seeing so many people swimming and boating reminded me how much we value our lakes in Wisconsin.

My role here at DNR is to help oversee the database, where we track the health of our 15,000+ lakes (and rivers,streams and wetlands

July started with a bang! Over 90 groups participated in the Landing Media Blitz - inviting the media to see - as they educate boaters about invasive species. At least 22 local TV radio and newspaper stories resulted! (details)

Other accomplishments:

• Over 42,000 boats have been inspected for invasive species this year by local volunteers, interns and others.
• More than 1000 volunteers, with 618 locations reporting so far this year, are testing the water & watching for invasive species in lakes
• Over 230 local ais & over 360 local lake grant projects in progress.

Keep up the good work! People are doing a great job entering their data. With it, we are able to make smart decisions to effectively protect and improve our lakes, rivers, streams & wetlands.