As winter weather approaches, Dane County is still concerned with flooding. Just because the temperatures have fallen, snow is here, and our lakes are freezing does not make flooding concerns disappear. One approach to mitigate flooding is sediment removal along the Yahara Chain of Lakes.

In December 2019 the Dane County Board approved the contract to officially start this process.  The first phase of this contract is to remove sediment between Lakes Monona and Waubesa. The work is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2020. While this first phase begins, the other four phases are being planned. Permits must be secured before the work can begin. The permit acquisition process is happening simultaneously with the work of the first phase.

In addition to this contract, there will also be equipment purchased and positions funded that will allow the county to do some of this work in-house. The goal is to work through the five phases of sediment removal more quickly, attempting to increase the capacity and flow of water through the system, ultimately decreasing the risk of flooding throughout the chain of lakes.

A special fund was also created in the 2020 budget to purchase land in the county that can be utilized to mitigate flooding. These purchases would be in areas to strategically reduce the risk of flooding throughout the county. These lands would help to prevent runoff and would also absorb more water. This is a natural approach to controlling the water that moves through the system.

With a combination of approaches, the goal is to prevent flooding, while also improving the quality of water as well as the natural habitat.

Please feel free to contact me with any concerns or issues. I can be reached at 608-335-6827 or ritt.michele@countyofdane.com.