Madison Lakes Visibility Report

[unirdna]

The rain event has done a number on shoreline vis. Official secchi readings will be taken this afternoon.

 

[unirdna]

Mendota and Monona are clear in the middle (4-6m secchi), but their shorelines are hurtin'. Unless you plan on line-diving, skip Madison this weekend.

 

[land shark]

don't forget to get a tetanus shot and carry lots of neosporin. your own tank of air and hazmat suit might not hurt tooo

 

[unirdna]

Mendota S. shoreline is in full bloom (BGA, rotting plants, dead fish). Unless it clears fast, diving will be done until fall (or, perhaps a lucky break in Aug/Sept). What a disappointment after that wonderful month of May.

 

[Jon]

Sounds like Monona this weekend. Saturday was pretty good, and then we go back Sunday to dive in split pea soup. :yack

I was hoping that Mendota might hang on a bit longer, but no luck. Sounds like diving might be shot around here and with the price of gas, and conditions of the roads, travel isn't sounding to good either. Time go ride a bike i guess.

Jon

 

[dotey]

jon what you need is a trailer for your bike then you can ride your bike everywere rofl i mean as much as you ride you can put you suit and all in that trailer and off you go

 

[Jon]

Already been done: http://forums.deeperblue.net/beach-bar/78625-dive-bikes.html


Jon

 

[dotey]

now thats funny rofl man you can even take the kids along if you wanted but that would work the legs to have all your gear and kids hooked up lol

 

[unirdna]

Tuesday, June 24.

Mendota secchi = 1.7m
Monona secchi = 2.2m

Monona has potential to still be divable. The water is "clear", but it has a lot of colonial algae "chunks". Mendota, on the other hand, is in a flat-out, green-water phase...pea soup.

 

[Jon]

Monona was still very clear at 25', but crap above that. Only problem is that there's nothing to look at besides rocks and mud beyond 25' in there- unless you're scrounging for anchors.

Jon

 

[unirdna]

Just an FYI to any would-be travelers:

Madison lakes are crrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrap. Record chlorophyll [read:slime] levels in some areas. I'll be shocked and elated if they recover before turnover.

I also do not recommend diving China's coastline.

 

[fleshy]

Wheres china wall?

 

[Jon]

Here: Algae bloom is China's latest Olympic nightmare - Yahoo! News

 

[unirdna]

South shoreline of Mendota had 6 feet visibility today... The deep hole was about the same. I'm betting this is just a big tease, but I'll keep you posted.

 

[unirdna]

Today was the first calm wind day since the thaw. Vis looked to be about 3-4 feet. Pretty green right now. But, a zooplankton tow revealed male daphnia, which basically means that the daphnia "know" that the time of plenty is at hand. To clarify, daphnia usually reproduce via parthenogenesis - it's kind of like cloning, but not exactly, since their DNA splits into chromosomes, then recombines. So, there is still the chance for genetic variation, just not that much....

....anyway, daphnia only reproduce sexually (ie. males show up) when the population explodes. Thus, the conclusion that the lake is gearing up for a clearwater phase because the daphnia are the primary "greenwater" eaters, and they are gearing up for a boom.

Now you all know too much.

 

[Whopperhead]

Today was the first calm wind day since the thaw. Vis looked to be about 3-4 feet. Pretty green right now. But, a zooplankton tow revealed male daphnia, which basically means that the daphnia "know" that the time of plenty is at hand. To clarify, daphnia usually reproduce via parthenogenesis - it's kind of like cloning, but not exactly, since their DNA splits into chromosomes, then recombines. So, there is still the chance for genetic variation, just not that much...

Ted- Didn't I tell you the SAME thing 2 Days Ago? Stop copying everything I pass onto you. Be original for once!!!

 

[the_duckinator]

Very interesting and good to know. Thanks for sharing unirdna.

 

[unirdna]

Mendota deep hole: 3.5m secchi
Mendota inshore: 2.8m secchi (south shoreline)
Mendota temp: 40F

Daphnia are multiplying. Diatom (brown water) bloom is dying off.

If no massive rain events happen, the lake should be in good "dive shape" by next weekend. Schools won't be "in" yet, but there may be a few solos to keep you entertained.

 

[Jon]

Still can't put fins on my feet, but I've been in the pool the past couple of days working on my no-fins technique. I'm not sure that it will work to well for spearing, especially with a sling, but I'm itching to get back in the water.

Jon

 

[the_duckinator]

Thanks for the heads up. I may have to make a trip to madison this next weekend. I've got an itchy trigger finger :blackeye