Scenarios for the Future of Lake Wingra

Lake Wingra in Madison, Wisc. is an urban lake that is used by the public in many ways. However, the lake receives runoff waters from an urban watershed which carry sediments and pollutants, such as nutrients and road salt. Lake Wingra is eutrophic due to excessive phosphorus inputs. The lake harbors some harmful exotic species, including common carp and Eurasian water milfoil. There is widespread interest in improving and sustaining the amenities provided by Lake Wingra and its shorelands. Friends of Lake Wingra, a nonprofit organization of citizens concerned about the lake, has organized input from many diverse people and groups to develop an evolving set of goals for the lake and its watershed. A team developed scenarios to evaluate plausible changes during the next generation (to 2035) that could affect the implementation of goals for Lake Wingra. These results were reported in public meetings and on the internet.

Outcomes

Planning for management of invasive species, fisheries and water quality problems in Lake Wingra. Although this project has been completed, the UW-Madison team are continuing to collaborate with neighborhood groups and the city and county government to provide information needed to restore Lake Wingra.

Focus Areas

  • Quality of Life

Counties

  • Dane

Website

http://limnology.wisc.edu/courses/zoo955/spring2007/index.html

Partners

  • Friends of Lake Wingra

Leader

Steve Carpenter, S.A. Forbes Professor of Limnology

School or College

College of Letters & Science

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Project last updated on 5/29/2008