May 28, 2014 Water Monitoring Report

Great Day on the Lake/Rivers

For starters the weather was pretty good, not to too hot not too cold and the chop was not too bad.  The big news was a record breaking day in water clarity.  The in-lake average water clarity (Secchi depth) for today was 5.6 feet, the previous high was 4.5 feet, July 15, 2013.  Although probably very close to accurate, the true Secchi depth at the West Basin could not be determined because the disk was still visible while sitting on the bottom, 7.3 feet from the surface!  Water was not very clear on the Fox River with clarity only being 2.4 feet above the confluence with the Grand River

I suspect that there is little algae leaving the lake today as the water was not green and the water was filled with very large zooplankton, which are the most efficient feeders of algae in the water column.  The large zooplankton also provide great food for the tiny walleyes, yellow perch and other fry form this year’s hatch.

The bulrushes planted last year are growing very well so far, but are vulnerable to heavy waves.  

There are a few Common Terns are hanging around on the rafts, but no nesting yet.  

Empty bars indicate Secchi disk was visible on bottom

May14, 2014 Water Monitoring Report

Interesting pattern in water clarity today as shown in the graph.  Water temperature was about 62 degrees, warmer than the air.

Wrong date on the graph, will replace soon.

Common Tern Nesting Rafts Return To Lake

Converted pontoon boats that are used as nesting "islands" for the state endangered Common Tern are again on Lake Puckaway.  There are both located on the north side of the mid-lake dredge bank, also known as "Bird Island"  Last year was the first year of the project and the rafts attracted many terns, but it is not known if they attempted to nest.  There were a few little impressions made in the gravel, but we don't know for sure if it was the common terns or another species.  In any case no eggs were seen, so the nests would have been unsuccessful.  

Over their off season the rafts underwent some modifications to make them more attractive to nesting birds.  The wooden sides were cut down and replaced with wire hardware cloth, which allows the birds a better view of the horizon they seem to prefer.  This year we have also changed the nesting substrate from pea gravel to sand.  This may also attract more birds. It also weighs more and makes the rafts sit lower in the water.  Please give the rafts some space, recommended 300 feet to not disturb the birds while fishing north of the dredge bank.

Thanks to Phil Malsack and Lake Arrowhead campground for providing the sand, and storing and launching the rafts.  Rich Pergande and his crew helped with towing the rafts, thank you.  Also thanks to Randy Schmidt, Derek Kavanaugh and my family, who helped building and retrofiring the rafts over the last two years.

Smoothing out the sand while motoring tern nesting raft across Lake Puckaway