Friday Concurrent Session 7
60 minutes
April 3, 2020 ~ 1:30-2:30 pm
Agenda subject to change.
Where Did That Water Come From? Precipitation, Groundwater, Streams and Lakes
Most of the water in Wisconsin lakes starts as precipitation on land. The story of how that water gets to our streams, rivers and lakes is important to the character and long-term health of waters. In this session, we’ll introduce ideas about watersheds – both above and below ground - and fast and slow patterns of water movement. We’ll consider how knowing more about “water on the go” can help us understand the quality of our lakes and rivers. While surface water runoff is a major factor in the condition of streams and lakes, groundwater has an important but less well understood role to play. rom? Precipitation, Groundwater, Streams and Lakes.
Presenter: Paul McGinley, Research Scientist, Center for Watershed Science and Education, UW-Stevens Point and UW-Extension
Integrated Pest Management 101
What is Integrated Pest Management (IPM)? Why is IPM important? How can lake managers best incorporate IPM strategies into their management plans? This session will take a closer look at each of these questions.
Presenter: Madi Johansen, Aquatic Plant Management Team Leader, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Unique Fish of the Chippewa
The lower Chippewa River has one of the most diverse fish communities in the state and this talk will take a closer look at many of those species. Some fish species that inhabit the lower Chippewa River are commonly observed in fisheries surveys but are not routinely encountered by anglers. Basic identification and relative abundance of many common and not so common riverine fish species will be discussed. Two unique species that call the lower Chippewa River home are shovelnose sturgeon and lake sturgeon. Fisheries surveys and research projects specific to both sturgeon species are occurring in the lower Chippewa River. Hopefully attendees will come away with a better understanding and appreciation of the unique fish community present in the lower Chippewa River.
Presenter: Joseph Gerbyshak, Fisheries Biologist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
*Three 20 minute presentations
Lab and Field-Based Determination of 2,4-D Degradation Rates
The herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is used in Wisconsin as a treatment for invasive Eurasian watermilfoil. However, the degradation rate and resulting lifespan of 2,4-D can vary widely, with complete degradation observed to range from 70 to 150 days. We investigated the degradation of 2,4-D in aquatic environments using lab-based microcosms and irradiation studies in combination with large field campaigns to monitor 2,4-D loss following whole-lake herbicide treatments to determine how water clarity, littoral zone area, abundance of genes associated with 2,4-D degradation, and extent of stratification in 6 different lakes effected 2,4-D loss. These results will be used to inform the application of 2,4-D to Wisconsin lakes and support decision making that promotes resilient native plant and fish populations while attempting to and eradicate invasive pests.
Presenter: Amber White, Graduate Researcher, Environmental Chemistry & Technology, University of Wisconsin - Madison
The Effects of Subchronic Exposure of 2,4-D on Developmental Stages of Freshwater Game Fish
One of the most common active ingredients in commercial herbicide formulations used around the world is 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). In the United States, commercial 2,4-D herbicides are commonly applied directly into aquatic environments to control invasive, non-native aquatic species. However, the subchronic and chronic impacts of ecologically relevant concentrations of 2,4-D exposure on early life stages of freshwater fish is poorly understood. Therefore, we exposed early life stages (embryos and/or larvae) of up to nine freshwater fish species to environmentally relevant concentrations of 2,4-D (0-2ppm) and assessed essential behaviors, development, and survival. These results provide information on the environmental costs of 2,4-D application on non-target organisms, which can help inform and improve risk assessment decisions by management agencies and residents.
Presenter: Gavin Dehnert, Graduate Researcher, Integrative Biology, University of Wisconsin - Madison
Japanese Hops Control Efforts in the Driftless
Landowners in the Driftless Region are looking into practical ways to control Japanese hops, an invasive creeping vine. We will look at the presence of this plant in southwest Wisconsin and how it is spreading. Control regimes had been tested by Tom Lukens and Pam Saunders several years ago, and a variety of mechanical and chemical techniques will be discussed including goats and herbicide rates. We will also share the current state of the plant on their Natures Nook property. Early detection and shade seem to be the best way to deal with this prickly invasive.
Presenter: Matthew Wallrath, Invasive Species Project Coordinator, Upper Sugar River Watershed Association
*Two 25 minute presentations
Extreme Precipitation Events
Recent experiences throughout Wisconsin and beyond, have shown that existing stormwater and flood control infrastructure is inadequate in the face of increases in extreme rainfall. This presents a major problem to the civil engineering and infrastructure planning communities, whose everyday work relies on rainfall design statistics such as the “100-year storm.” Existing rainfall design statistics are already more than a decade old and seriously underestimate current and future rainfall conditions in Wisconsin due to rapid climate change. In this presentation, we will show the current state of affairs regarding the impacts of climate change on extreme rainfall, the consequences for infrastructure, and what experts at the University of Wisconsin-Madison are doing to address the problem.
Presenter: Daniel Wright, Assistant Professor, Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Wisconsin - Madison
Managing the Impacts of Land Development and Climate Change on Lake Flooding
Land development, if not mitigated, increases severity and frequency of stream and lake flooding. It is expected that climate change will further increase this risk. The flood impacts of land development can be minimized through the use of “bioretention practices” that promote stormwater infiltration and evaporation. However, the performance of these practices requires careful consideration of soil and groundwater conditions and a commitment to long-term management. In addition, there needs to be legislative requirements to ensure that effective practices are employed and managed when landuse is altered in ways that would otherwise increase flood risk. This talk will summarize these issues.
Presenter: Kenneth Potter, Emeritus Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Wisconsin - Madison
Highland Community Middle School Students Take Action
Our project started with an opportunity for students to apply for a Youth Water Grant. After receiving the grant, middle school students went to work implementing their plan. This involved a number of projects including researching and building lunker structures for a local stream to prevent erosion and provide better trout habitat. A second project involved purchasing storm drain magnets, “No Dumping, Drains to Waterways,” for storm drains in our community with the hope that this simple message would spread the word that pollutants that are washed into the storm drains actually go to our local waterways. Highland Community Middle School students were also given the opportunity to spend a day at a local stream and lake with Department of Natural Resources professionals testing water quality and collecting data. Our hope is that this partnership will continue for the next ten years so that students can analyze the trends in water quality.
Presenters: Highland Community Middle School Students
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