Dane County to Ease Slow, No Wake on Lake Mendota

July 02, 2008
Joshua Wescott, Office of the County Executive (608) 267-8823 Elise Schaffer, Dane County Sheriff’s Office (608) 284-6142 Scott McDonell, Dane County Board Chairman (608) 266-4121
County Executive

High Lake Levels Require Continuation of Order on Monona, Waubesa, Kegonsa Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk, Sheriff Dave Mahoney, and County Board Chairman Scott McDonell announced today the “Slow No Wake” order in effect for Lake Mendota will now only be in effect within 500-feet of shore. County leaders issued a complete “Slow No Wake” order for Lakes Mendota, Monona, Waubesa, and Kegonsa on June 9th after record rains caused a rapid rise in lake levels. Since the order was issued, lake levels have been monitored daily. Levels on all four of the lakes have consistently been at or above previous record highs. Drier weather the past several days has helped lower levels by a foot on Lake Mendota. Should heavy rains fall in the next couple of days, the decision may be revisited. The Slow No Wake order remains for Lakes Monona, Waubesa, and Kegonsa along with the Cherokee Marsh. “We appreciate the patience of our businesses and boaters in the wake of June’s record rains and flooding,” Falk said. “We’ll continue to monitor levels daily and make changes to the ‘Slow No Wake’ order as soon as conditions are deemed safe for boaters and concerns about shoreline damage are alleviated.” “By continuing the "Slow No Wake" order within 500-feet of shore, we hope boaters will be able to enjoy the lakes while still maintaining the necessary protection of the shoreline,” Sheriff Dave Mahoney said. “Deputies will be patrolling on all the lakes over the weekend and violators of the order will be cited." According to the National Weather Service, a record 10.93 inches of rain fell in June at the Dane County Regional Airport. Higher rainfall totals were reported from repeated severe storms that hit the northern part of the county June 7th. At one point, the Yahara River was flowing into Lake Mendota at the fastest rate observers had ever seen. According to estimates from Dane County Emergency Management, June’s severe flooding and tornadoes did at least $77-million in damage across Dane County. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has issued a disaster declaration for the county, making homeowners and local governments eligible for federal disaster assistance. ####