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Low water levels affect wildlife, fish and recreation on the Mississippi Just as in 2003, the Mississippi River has been low for a sustained period of time this summer. In fact, Lock Master Marv Althoff at Lock and Dam 10 in Guttenberg said that the river stage at the McGregor gauge has been below eight feet since July 13 and below seven feet since Aug. 3. At 7 a.m. today, the river stage at McGregor was 6.81 feet. While Althoff said that the low water hasn't affected barge traffic in Pool 10 at all, it has affected fish and wildlife. "It's been good for wildlife," said John Lindell, the director of the McGregor District of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Lindell noted that there has been much more vegetation this year than there normally is. Thus, wildlife such as muskrats, waterfowl and other water birds have more to feed on. Also, birds such as herons and egrets have much more area in which to stalk fish. On the other hand, Lindell said that the low water level has adversely affected fish. Fish are affected by the increased amount of vegetation because the vegetation does not produce oxygen at night and decaying vegetation uses up oxygen. Thus, there is not enough dissolved oxygen in some areas, which puts stress on fish. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Fisheries biologist Pat Short of Prairie du Chien agrees, saying that the worst time for low oxygen levels in the backwater areas is in the morning because of decaying vegetation. In fact, there have been reports of fish die-offs, most notably a northern pike die-off earlier this summer in the Sny Magill area. Lindell said that pike die-offs have been reported in Pools 9, 10 and 11 as well as rough fish die-offs, including red horse and suckers. Short said that low water is usually bad for fish and good for fishermen. He noted that low water causes fish to bunch up in deeper holes and that if an angler can locate the fish, he can have quite an outing. Bluegills, for instance, have been found in good numbers and sizes in the cooler water of deeper holes, said Short. Fishing throughout much of the summer has been quite good for many species. In the long run, low water may be good for fish populations, said Short, who explained that certain areas become exposed and regenerate vegetation where there hadn't been any for a few years. These areas then become "nursery areas" for aquatic insects, minnows and other food sources for fish when high water returns in the spring. Thus, fish populations experience a bit of boom. The low-water, high-water cycle is a natural phenomenon said Short, who noted that this year's low water is mostly due to less runoff from streams and rivers. Because of less runoff into the Mississippi, there has been much less sedimentation. "Water clarity has been the best since 1988," said Short. There was a drought in 1987, which also produced good water clarity. Short said that clearer water allows sunlight to penetrate deeper and produce more aquatic plants. In addition to affecting wildlife and fish, low water levels affect recreational use of the river as well. With the last big hurrah of the boating season coming up on Labor Day weekend, Lindell said that boaters need to be extra-cautious. "Boaters need to be even more careful," said Lindell. "In areas that they are used to going in they may now encounter hazards. Boaters are responsible to operate their boat in a prudent fashion." While the water levels have been about a foot higher than they were in 2003, Short said that there still may be hazards such as logs lurking just below the surface. Stiemke and Adams compete in Fox Fest Idol 2005 Prairie du Chien natives Colin Stiemke and Chellanie Adams competed Saturday night in "Fox Fest Idol 2005." They were among 19 talented candidates from the area that were chosen to compete at the next level for Fox's "American Idol." According to Stiemke and Adams, a crowd of about 500 people gathered at Sand on the Riverfront to listen to the vivacious performers. Adams sang Martina McBride's "Phones are Ringing all Over Town," while Stiemke chose to perform "Your Song," from "Moulin Rouge." "I think that I sang the best that I could have sung," said Adams about her performance. Stiemke also felt that he did well. The judges agreed by choosing him, along with five others, to compete in the second round of the evening. According to WLAX TV in La Crosse, the other five to advance to round two of the evening were: Kendra Sullivan, 23, from Kendall; Mindy Stuebs, 18, from Onalaska; Kevin Hall, 26, from La Crosse, Brooke Peterson, 24, from Cumberland and Sarah Brown, 19, from Onalaska. Singing an original song that she wrote for her friends and family, it was Brown who beat out the rest to win the competition. The 19-year-old will go on to represent the area at the National American Idol Finals next month in Chicago. Both Stiemke and Adams agreed that Saturday was a great experience. "I had a great time and met some great singers," said Stiemke. "I would really encourage people who don't think they want to do it [try out for American Idol] to just go for it - it was so much fun." Adams, who will be moving to Nashville, Tenn., on Sunday to pursue a career as a country music singer, agreed that "It was quite the learning experience." She also said that she was impressed with the number of people from Prairie du Chien that came to support them. "I really want to say thanks to all my friends and family that were behind me through the whole thing," she said. Accident near Eastman claims two young lives On August 23 at 6:06 p.m., the Crawford County Sheriff's Department was notified of a motor vehicle vs. ATV accident on State Highway 27 at Nolan Road. This would be located approximately three miles south of Eastman. A Honda All Terrain Vehicle operated by a nine year old boy came off of Nolan Road onto Highway 27 and was struck by a south bound 2003 General Motors pickup truck pulling a stock trailer with two horses on board. The nine year old driver and his seven year old passenger were thrown from the ATV and sustained fatal injuries. The name of the driver and passenger on the ATV are being withheld pending the notification of family. The driver of the pickup, Gary Lorenz, age 59, and his passengers Katie Lorenz, age 13, and Cindy Myer, age 36, were not injured. The Crawford County Sheriff's Department was assisted at the scene by the Eastman Fire Department, Bridgeport/Prairie du Chien Fire Department, Eastman First Responders, Prairie du Chien Police Department, Wisconsin State Patrol, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Bob's Towing and Prairie du Chien EMS. This accident remains under investigation at this time. Public comments due by Aug. 31 on Upper Mississippi River Comprehensive Conservation Plan There has been a fair share of controversy and numerous comments at public meetings up and down the river concerning the proposed Comprehensive Conservation Plan for the Upper Mississippi River. Prairie du Chien was no exception as a couple of hundred citizens, about 50 of which sported T-shirts proclaiming "Save Our River Bottoms," turned out to discuss the issues with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service personnel during a meeting May 19 at the high school. The main sticking point in Prairie du Chien, of course, was a proposal in Alternative D of the Comprehensive Conservation Plan that called for the closing of an area below the wastewater treatment plant, locally known as the "Lower Bottoms" to hunting, fishing and boat motor traffic from Oct. 1 to the end of duck hunting season. The Lower Bottoms has been a popular duck hunting area for generations for Prairie du Chien area hunters and Alternative D is the preferred alternative of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. There are currently four alternatives in the proposed Comprehensive Conservation Plan, Alternative A, Alternative B, Alternative C and Alternative D. The final plan will determine how the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge is managed for the next 15 years. After considering all of the public comments, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will then form Alternative E, which may consist of proposals from any of the other four alternatives as well as new ideas generated by the public. All public comment on the Comprehensive Conservation Plan is due by Aug. 31. Anyone wishing to comment can write to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, Attn. CCP Comment, Room 101, 51 E. 4th Street, Winona, MN, 55987. Comments can also be made by e-mail through the website www.fws.gov/midwest/planning/uppermiss.
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