Flooding

A Spring Green Community Forum

Flooding in Spring Green: A Community Forum We have listened very closely to your concerns, questions and issues that you raised in the last forum, letters, s, and personal conversations. Many of you are asking why the flooding is happening now, it didn’t in the past, what is different? We have listened very closely to your concerns, questions and issues that you raised in the last forum, letters, s, and personal conversations. Many of you are asking why the flooding is happening now, it didn’t in the past, what is different?

Seeking an Answer We have taken your comments, questions and ideas back to the campus and have developed three ideas for you to consider. The purpose of the forum this evening is to present these initial ideas and to ask you to consider them. We have taken your comments, questions and ideas back to the campus and have developed three ideas for you to consider. The purpose of the forum this evening is to present these initial ideas and to ask you to consider them.

What is Different? 1. Highway 14 improvements and lack of culverts. 2. More center pivot agriculture. 3. Impoundments by the river (I.e., Bakkens Pond, Long Lake) 4. Climate 1. Highway 14 improvements and lack of culverts. 2. More center pivot agriculture. 3. Impoundments by the river (I.e., Bakkens Pond, Long Lake) 4. Climate Answer: All of the above Question: Which one of these is true?

The Answer Is … 1. The answer was all of the above as Highway 14, irrigation systems, impoundments, and climate have all changed since the middle of the last century. 2. Yet only one of those changes have the potential to cause the level of flooding experienced in recent years in the Spring Green area. 1. The answer was all of the above as Highway 14, irrigation systems, impoundments, and climate have all changed since the middle of the last century. 2. Yet only one of those changes have the potential to cause the level of flooding experienced in recent years in the Spring Green area.

What is this? National Weather Service COOP Weather Station

10 Serbin and Kucharik, 2009, JAMC 8 km 5 mi 176 Stations

What has happened to Wisconsin weather since 1950?

Changes in Spring Average Precipitation (inches) Spring Green

Changes in Summer Average Precipitation (inches) Spring Green

Changes in Autumn Average Precipitation (inches) Spring Green

Changes in Winter Average Precipitation (inches) Spring Green

Change in Annual Average Precipitation (inches) from 1950 to 2006 (from Serbin and Kucharik 2009) Average increase of 15%, but highly variable across Wisconsin Spring Green

TOP HOUR PRECIPITATION AMOUNTS AT MILWAUKEE... VALUE DATES INCHES 8/5/1986 TO 8/6/ INCHES 6/22/1917 TO 6/23/ INCHES 6/7/2008 TO 6/8/ INCHES 9/7/1941 TO 9/8/ INCHES 6/20/1997 TO 6/21/ INCHES 6/7/ INCHES 6/21/1940 TO 6/22/ INCHES 7/2/ INCHES 7/17/1959 TO 7/18/ INCHES 7/31/1953 TO 8/1/1953 TOP HOUR PRECIPITATION AMOUNTS AT MADISON... VALUE DATES INCHES 9/7/1941 TO 9/8/ INCHES 6/7/2008 TO 6/8/ INCHES 9/12/1915 TO 9/13/ INCHES 8/18/2007 TO 8/19/ INCHES 6/17/ INCHES 5/21/2004 TO 5/22/ INCHES 7/21/ INCHES 7/15/1950 TO 7/16/1950 T INCHES 6/8/2008 T INCHES 5/17/2000 TO 5/18/ INCHES 8/1/2001 TO 8/2/2001 MKE Records: 1871-presentMSN Records: 1879-present Top 10: 24-hour Precipitation Records Source: NOAA / National Weather Service, Sullivan / Milwaukee WI MKE Records: MSN Records:

You now live in a much wetter world (on average) than 1950 where there is also a higher probability for extreme rainfall events. An Inescapable Conclusion

1950Today2050 A B C If the trend between 1950 and today is represented by the solid line, then which dotted line are you willing to bet will best represent your immediate future? Lets Make A Bet Drier Wetter

Projected Change in Annual Average Precipitation (inches) Spring Green

What Does All This Mean For Spring Green? The climate will continue to change toward a wetter (and warmer) pattern. The probability for extreme events (big rain storms) is increasing. There is increased risk for significant negative impacts with a “do nothing” community response. The climate will continue to change toward a wetter (and warmer) pattern. The probability for extreme events (big rain storms) is increasing. There is increased risk for significant negative impacts with a “do nothing” community response.

Adaptation Strategies Use a risk/consequence approach and evaluate existing infrastructure to accommodate observed changes in climate; Develop and evaluate alternative tools and strategies for the design of storm water- related infrastructure, using a collaborative process; Communicate your recommendations to elected leaders,and other local decision makers. Use a risk/consequence approach and evaluate existing infrastructure to accommodate observed changes in climate; Develop and evaluate alternative tools and strategies for the design of storm water- related infrastructure, using a collaborative process; Communicate your recommendations to elected leaders,and other local decision makers.

Another Idea to be Discussed by the Spring Green Community One form of infrastructure to be considered is an agricultural drainage district for the western basin

An Agricultural Drainage District Drainage districts are special purpose districts, like school or sewer districts, formed for the purpose of draining land. Regulated under Chapter 88 of Wisconsin Statutes tutes/88/I/12/1 Drainage districts are special purpose districts, like school or sewer districts, formed for the purpose of draining land. Regulated under Chapter 88 of Wisconsin Statutes tutes/88/I/12/1

Agricultural Drainage Cannot handle floods May reduce ground water flooding NPS pollution a concern May address airport concerns Cannot handle floods May reduce ground water flooding NPS pollution a concern May address airport concerns

Agricultural Drainage There is a clear sequence of steps for moving from a drainage board to district. As a unit of government it can borrow start up funds and it can also levy taxes proportionate to benefits received. Professional help is available as well as some advisory assistance from government agencies. There is a clear sequence of steps for moving from a drainage board to district. As a unit of government it can borrow start up funds and it can also levy taxes proportionate to benefits received. Professional help is available as well as some advisory assistance from government agencies.

Agricultural Drainage The community needs to develop options and explore these in a public setting

A Public Discussion Boundaries of a Drainage District??? Drainage south (the river) or west (Bear Creek)??? Creating greatest benefit to greatest number of citizens in the area??? Design system to not just manage what is, but what will likely be in near future??? Boundaries of a Drainage District??? Drainage south (the river) or west (Bear Creek)??? Creating greatest benefit to greatest number of citizens in the area??? Design system to not just manage what is, but what will likely be in near future???

The Impact of Impoundments

The Impoundments There is a belief in the community that the impoundments by the river are ‘causing’ the groundwater flooding in the western basin. If something is believed to be true, then it is true in its consequences. For those who believe this, you will have an opportunity to test your belief. There is a belief in the community that the impoundments by the river are ‘causing’ the groundwater flooding in the western basin. If something is believed to be true, then it is true in its consequences. For those who believe this, you will have an opportunity to test your belief.

Bakkens Pond  New test well Year 1: Measure water levels and factors influencing water levels (e.g., rain, irrigation) Year 2: Drain pond, measure water levels and factors influencing water levels. If you believe the impoundments have an impact, then help collect the data to test your belief! Graphic Source: Madeline Gotkowitz, WGNHS

Exploring Your Beliefs If this is to have any impact, then you have to do this. The DNR, GNHS, airport commission, UW or some other government body cannot do this for you. They can help coordinate the process, but if you believe the impoundments are the problem, then it is time to explore that belief in a public manner. If this is to have any impact, then you have to do this. The DNR, GNHS, airport commission, UW or some other government body cannot do this for you. They can help coordinate the process, but if you believe the impoundments are the problem, then it is time to explore that belief in a public manner.

Exploring Your Beliefs If your belief is supported, then the water levels should start falling during the second year of the effort. If the water levels don’t fall, then you will have to find another explanation for the flooding. I have given you one -- you live in a much wetter world -- but I am open to hearing others. If your belief is supported, then the water levels should start falling during the second year of the effort. If the water levels don’t fall, then you will have to find another explanation for the flooding. I have given you one -- you live in a much wetter world -- but I am open to hearing others.

Photo: Wisconsin DNR This is a public meeting and you now have three ideas to consider:

Ideas for Discussion 1. You live in a wetter climate; what are you going to do about it? 2. A drainage district may help solve flooding in the western basin; is this what you want? 3. You believe impoundments by the river are the cause of the flooding problem; are you willing to examine the validity of that belief? 1. You live in a wetter climate; what are you going to do about it? 2. A drainage district may help solve flooding in the western basin; is this what you want? 3. You believe impoundments by the river are the cause of the flooding problem; are you willing to examine the validity of that belief?

General Comments or Questions? Thank you for coming together and begin the process of addressing your problems in a way that best meets the needs and capabilities of this community.