On:
In: Communication, Great Lakes, ice, lake erie, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, Lake Ontario, Lake Superior, lakes, observations, Research, science, technology, winter
Many people have questions about the historically low Great Lakes ice cover this winter, and we’ve got answers! NOAA GLERL’s Bryan Mroczka (Physical Scientist) and Andrea Vander Woude (Integrated Physical and Ecological Modeling and Forecasting Branch Chief) answer the following … Continue reading →

Original Article

NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory

NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory

https://noaaglerl.blog/2024/02/22/qa-with-noaa-scientists-causes-and-impacts-of-2024s-historically-low-great-lakes-ice-cover/

Gabrielle Farina

On:
In: army corps, Boating, Butte des Morts, dam, drawdown, Event - Non-FWWA, fishing, Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance, FWWA, lake level, Lake Management, Lake Winnebago, management, menasha dam, Poygan, regulation, strategy, water level, Winnebago Waterways, Winneconne, winter, WWLAT ACOE, WWP Event

Feb. 8, 2024 – Winter Strategy Conference Call Notice

Army Corps website: https://www.lrc.usace.army.mil/Missions/Water-Management/Lake-Winnebago/

Interested in joining other stakeholders in ongoing discussions about water levels in the Winnebago System?

The Winnebago Water Level Assessment Team (WWLAT) provides a collaborative opportunity for stakeholder representatives and experts to develop realistic and achievable water level strategy recommendations and related goals that reasonably balance the top priorities of multiple system users and the health of the Winnebago System. This team is led separately from the Army Corps public input process by Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance. Recommendations from the WWLAT are submitted to the Army Corps to help inform the Corps regulation of Lake Winnebago.

Visit the WWLAT website: CLICK HERE

The post Army Corps: Winter 2024 Call – Feb. 8, 2024 appeared first on Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance.

Original Article

Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance

Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance

https://fwwa.org/2024/01/24/acoe-winter-2024-strategy-call-notice/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=acoe-winter-2024-strategy-call-notice

Katie Reed

On:
In: forecasting, ice, lake effect snow, Modeling, Publications, Research, scientific journal, winter
As fall comes to a close and winter is nearly here, those who live and work in the Great Lakes region are already wondering what weather this winter has in store. An El Niño Advisory is currently in effect, which … Continue reading →

Original Article

NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory

NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory

https://noaaglerl.blog/2023/11/29/lake-effect-snow-what-why-and-how-2023/

Gabrielle Farina

On:
In: army corps, Boating, Butte des Morts, dam, drawdown, Event - Non-FWWA, fishing, Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance, FWWA, lake level, Lake Management, Lake Winnebago, management, menasha dam, Poygan, regulation, strategy, water level, Winnebago Waterways, Winneconne, winter, WWLAT ACOE, WWP Event

October 2023 Strategy Meeting Notice

Army Corps website: https://www.lrc.usace.army.mil/Missions/Water-Management/Lake-Winnebago/

Interested in joining other stakeholders in ongoing discussions about water levels in the Winnebago System?

The Winnebago Water Level Assessment Team (WWLAT) provides a collaborative opportunity for stakeholder representatives and experts to develop realistic and achievable water level strategy recommendations and related goals that reasonably balance the top priorities of multiple system users and the health of the Winnebago System. This team is led separately from the Army Corps public input process by Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance. Recommendations from the WWLAT are submitted to the Army Corps to help inform the Corps regulation of Lake Winnebago.

Visit the WWLAT website: CLICK HERE

The post Army Corps: Oct 3, 2023 appeared first on Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance.

Original Article

Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance

Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance

https://fwwa.org/2023/09/29/acoe-fall-2023-strategy-meeting/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=acoe-fall-2023-strategy-meeting

Katie Reed

On:
In: 2023, ACOE, alliance, army corps, Butte des Morts, drawdown, fox-wolf, ice off, ice out, Lake, lake level, Lake Management, level, Outreach and Education, pool, Poygan, spring, summer, target, water, Water quality, watershed, Winnebago, Winnebago Waterways, Winneconne, winter, WWLAT Related Posts

Ice out on Lake Winnebago was officially called by the Army Corps of Engineers on April 6, 2023 as determined by MODIS satellite imagery. Ice out (aka ice off) is when ALL ice is gone from the lake surface as observed by satellite.  This is important because ice out marks the date that the Army Corps transitions their management of Lake Winnebago from maintaining winter pool to focus on spring refill.

Ice out dates for Lake Winnebago 2006 to 2023 (Source: ACOE)

The Army Corps of Engineers – Chicago District manages water levels for Lake Winnebago by regulating outflow at the dams in Menasha and Neenah under the Federal Marshall Order of 1886. The Marshall Order is intended for flood risk management.

The Marshall Order defines the limits of regulation for Lake Winnebago:

  • May 1st to October 1st (navigation season):
    • High end of limit: 3.45 ft.
    • Low end of limit: 0.18 ft.
  • October 2nd to April 30th:
    • High end of limit: 3.45 ft.
    • Low end of limit: 1.68 ft

While meeting their mission of flood risk management is the priority, the Army Corps also tries to meet the needs of various stakeholders within their operating limits. This requires finding a reasonable balance among multiple competing interests. Each year, with stakeholder input, the Army Corps sets their annual regulation strategy which guides their daily management decisions.

Their annual regulation strategy represents that balance and can be broken down by certain times of the year: fall drawdown, winter pool, spring refill, and summer pool. Water level targets are set along this strategy in a schedule. These targets are listed in the Army Corps 2022 – 2023 Lake Winnebago Regulation Strategy (shown in the image below). The green band in the annual strategy represents the “target band”. The Army Corps tries to hold water levels within this band. The dotted lines represents the average lake level across all years as noted in the key.

Average Water Level for Lake Winnebago

Lake level for Lake Winnebago is an average of readings from four gages located around the lake and is in reference to the Oshkosh Datum.

Fall Drawdown: As of the 2021/2022 regulation strategy, fall drawdown has been scheduled to begin between Sept 1 and Oct 1 each year at the discretion of the Army Corps through an adaptive decision making process.

Winter Pool: Each February, the Army Corps evaluates basin conditions and the forecast to determine their winter drawdown target.

The Army Corps draws down Lake Winnebago every winter to reduce the risk of damage caused by ice shoves, protect shoreline properties, and provide enough space within the lake to hold excess water that flows into Lake Winnebago each spring (snow melt and rain storm runoff from a 5,900 square mile watershed). The 2023 winter drawdown target operating band for Lake Winnebago this year was 1.25 ft to 1.3 ft.

Spring refill: When the Army Corps determines ice out has occurred on Lake Winnebago based on satellite imagery, spring refill is triggered. For many boaters, people interested in habitat protection, and stakeholders working to restore the lakes, refill is of particular interest. According to the most recent annual strategy, refill targets are as follows:

  • May 1st – 2.5 ft (Operating band: 2.4 to 3.6 ft)
  • June 1st – 2.8 ft (Operating band: 2.7 to 3.9 ft)
  • June 15th – 2.9 ft (Operating band: 2.8 to 3.0 ft)

Summer Pool: The Army Corps tries to maintain the lake within a target band for summer recreation navigation.

The total seasonal water elevation change is typically about 1.8 ft in a given year.

Recent conditions:

Despite having all available gates open at the dams since March 6, 2023, the average level of Lake Winnebago has been well above the target band since the beginning of April. This is likely due to the lake not being drawn down far enough or early enough to accommodate spring runoff from snow melt and precipitation. When inflows to Lake Winnebago exceed outflow capacity of the gates, the lake begins to rise uncontrolled. Overshooting the target band increases risk of flooding, significantly damages habitat and limits water quality restoration gains (among other impacts).

A graph from April 21, 2023 shows the recent average lake level (dashed line). Hopefully, precipitation will ease up and the Army Corps will be able to regain control before too much damage is done to the wetlands and aquatic habitat.

Additional Water Level Related Information:

1.) Water Level Management for the Winnebago Waterways: This report describes water level management including the process of developing an annual strategy, the considerations for the strategy, and the reason the strategy (schedule) is in its current form. CLICK HERE for the report.

This report is part of a larger planning effort for the Winnebago Lakes. The rest of the lake plan can be found here: https://fwwa.org/lake-management-planning-2/

2.) Winnebago Water Level Assessment Team (WWLAT): This is a stakeholder group that holds discussions about water levels independent of the Army Corps public input process. The website for the Team provides information about the background, past recommendations, and more. Interested stakeholders are welcome to participate. Link: https://fwwa.org/winnebago-waterways/wwlat/

3.) The Army Corps provides access to a lot of data and information through their Lake Winnebago webpage: CLICK HERE

Winnebago Waterways is a Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance recovery initiative. Contact us at wwinfo@fwwa.org

The post Ice-Out officially called for Lake Winnebago – April 6, 2023 appeared first on Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance.

Original Article

Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance

Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance

https://fwwa.org/2023/04/27/ice-out-officially-called-for-lake-winnebago-april-6-2023/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ice-out-officially-called-for-lake-winnebago-april-6-2023

Korin Doering

On:
In: Authors, Feature Homepage, Ian Solomon, ice climbing, Lake Superior, Latest News, Michigan, News, outdoor recreation, Recreation and Tourism, Tourism, upper peninsula, winter
Ian Outside: Let’s go ice climbing

In the spirit of rehabbing my relationship with Midwest winters, it was high time I found recreation to keep me outside and moving.

After a summer of hiking, off-roading and even eFoiling I was in dire need of some fresh air adventure, but didn’t know where to start.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/02/ian-outside-lets-go-ice-climbing/

Ian Solomon

On:
In: Communication, Great Lakes, ice, winter
Ice coverage has reached a record low in the Great Lakes for this time of year. As of February 13, 2023, only 7 percent of these five freshwater lakes was covered in ice. Read the full story on NOAA Research.

Original Article

NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory

NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory

https://noaaglerl.blog/2023/02/17/low-ice-on-the-great-lakes-this-winter/

Gabrielle Farina

On:
In: Authors, Beaches, Boating, Paddle Sports and Sailing, Feature Homepage, Ian Solomon, Lake Superior, Latest News, Michigan, News, Recreation, Recreation and Tourism, Tourism, upper peninsula, winter
Ian Outside: Winning winter

Editor’s Note: Look for coverage of Great Lakes recreation and adventure in this new monthly feature. The author, Ian Solomon, founded Amplify Outside, a nonprofit dedicated to increasing access and representation by Black people in the outdoors, starting in the Great Lakes region. Find more about him HERE.

As the age old saying goes, “you never know what you have until it’s gone.” And while winter is technically here, the season we knew as children seems long gone.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2023/01/ian-outside-winning-winter/

Ian Solomon

On:
In: autonomous underwater vehicle, autonomous vehicle, AUV, Great Lakes, ice, Lake Michigan, observations, Research, science, winter
In the world of Great Lakes research, the start of winter traditionally signals the end of fieldwork for the year...This break leads to a several-month gap in most of GLERL’s field data, but this project aims to fill that gap using the high-tech SAAB Sabertooth AUV.  Continue reading →

Original Article

NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory

NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory

https://noaaglerl.blog/2022/08/10/new-under-ice-observing-capabilities-could-lead-to-new-discoveries-in-the-great-lakes/

Gabrielle Farina

On:
In: Algae Blooms, AP, Climate change, Feature Homepage, ice cover, Industry, Energy, Economic Development, invasive species, Lake Huron, Michigan, News, Research, Data and Technology, Science, Technology, Research, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts, winter
Scientists take rare look under Great Lakes’ frozen surfaces

By Mike Householder and John Flesher, Associated Press

STANDISH, Mich. (AP) — Bridget Wheelock knelt onto the frozen surface of Lake Huron’s Saginaw Bay, reached a gloved hand into the frigid water below and pulled out a large chunk of ice.

“There’s a little bit of prism effect.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/03/ap-scientists-rare-great-lakes-frozen-surfaces/

The Associated Press

On:
In: Chicago, Feature Homepage, Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, Latest News, News, Research, Research, Data and Technology, Science, Technology, Research, Water Quality and Restoration Efforts, winter, Wisconsin
Scratching the surface: Regional research groups explore winter conditions of Green Bay, Great Lakes

María Hernández, a University of Chicago graduate student studying microbial ecology, was both nervous and eager to traverse a frozen Green Bay. Being sure to walk slowly and carefully, she assisted fellow researchers in extracting samples of ice-cold freshwater.

“We’re out here because we usually sample in the spring and summer,” said Hernández, “So this is the first time we’re going to be sampling in the winter, and it just gives us another view into what the microbes are doing at different times of the year.”

Hernandez and her University of Chicago colleagues were joined by University of Minnesota Duluth researchers on Monday for the recently launched “Winter Grab,” a first of its kind, week-long collection event for regional researchers studying Great Lakes’ winter conditions.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2022/02/scratching-surface-regional-research-winter-conditions/

John McCracken

On:
In: Climate, Collaboration, Latest News, News, Science, Technology, Research, winter
Farmers’ Almanac forecasts frosty Great Lakes flip-flop

This article was republished here with permission from Great Lakes Echo.

By Gabrielle Ahlborn, Great Lakes Echo

After an unusually warm and stormy summer, the Great Lakes region has in store a “frosty flip-flop” winter, according to the 2021-22 Farmers’ Almanac forecast.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2021/11/farmers-almanac-forecasts-frosty/

Great Lakes Echo

On:
In: Recreation, snowmobiling, sports, winter

Off-road vehicle and snowmobile riders who are claustrophobic would not have to wear a helmet if a series of bills are passed by the Michigan Legislature.

The post Snowmobile helmet exemption proposed just in time for winter first appeared on Great Lakes Echo.

Original Article

Great Lakes Echo

Great Lakes Echo

http://greatlakesecho.org/2021/10/13/snowmobile-helmet-exemption-proposed-just-in-time-for-winter/

Guest Contributor

On:
In: Communication, data, environmental science, forecast, Great Lakes, ice, lake erie, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, Lake Ontario, Lake Superior, Research, science, snow, winter
It’s no secret that the Great Lakes had a wild ride in terms of ice cover this past winter. From a slow start that led to near-record low ice cover in January, to the sudden widespread freeze just a few … Continue reading →

Original Article

NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory

NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory

https://noaaglerl.blog/2021/04/23/looking-back-the-ups-and-downs-of-great-lakes-ice-cover-in-2021/

Gabrielle Farina

On:
In: forecasting, ice, lake effect snow, Modeling, Publications, Research, scientific journal, winter
Winter is nearly here — and those who live and work in the Great Lakes region are already wondering what the winter of 2021 has in store. Early indications suggest a La Niña winter pattern, which shifts the odds towards cooler, … Continue reading →

Original Article

NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory

NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory

https://noaaglerl.blog/2020/11/20/lake-effect-snow-what-why-and-how/

Margaret Lansing

On:
In: Collaboration, great lakes echo, Latest News, Michigan, News, Recreation, Recreation, Tourism and Culture, winter
Warm winter changes — but can’t stop — outdoor fun

This article was republished here with permission from Great Lakes Echo.

By Danielle James, Capital News Service

From ski slopes to dog sled races to snow carving contests, warmer weather this season has forced Michigan’s winter sports and tourism groups to adapt to keep participants and spectators coming.

Read Now at Great Lakes Now.

Original Article

Great Lakes Now

Great Lakes Now

https://www.greatlakesnow.org/2020/02/warm-winter-changes-outdoor-recreation/

Great Lakes Echo

On:
In: Communication, experiment, Great Lakes, harmful algal blooms, lake erie, lakes, Modeling, observations, partners, Publications, Research, sampling, satellites, science, technology, winter
It’s nearly winter here in the Great Lakes—our buoys are in the warehouse, our boats are making their way onto dry land, and folks in the lab are working hard to assess observed data, experiments, and other results from this … Continue reading →

Original Article

NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory

NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory

https://noaaglerl.blog/2018/12/03/the-hab-season-is-over-but-the-work-goes-on/

Nicole Rice