Prepared by Philip B. Moy, Ph.D.
University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute
State statute 237 authorizes the Fox River Navigational System Authority to repair and re-open 16 of the 17 locks on the lower Fox River. Reopening the Fox River locks brings the potential for economic development and revitalization of the river communities but also increases concern for the risk of upstream spread of aquatic invasive species. The lock at Rapide Croche is the site of a fixed barrier to prevent the upstream migration of sea lampreys into the Lake Winnebago chain of lakes. This lock will not be functional. Instead, a boat lift and transfer station will move boats overland from the downstream side of the lock and clean them prior to placement on the upstream side. Protecting the Lake Winnebago sturgeon population and native fisheries from the potential adverse impacts of aquatic invasive species (AIS) must be the primary consideration in the operation of the transfer station and at other system access points.
Boaters wishing to move upstream will have to comply with certain requirements prior to approaching the boat transfer station. The hull must be free of accumulated debris and fouling organisms. Live fish and bait must not be moved above the Rapide Croche lock. Each boat will be completely separated from the downstream water and will be washed with hot water prior to being moved upstream. Removal from the water will ensure that no fish are moved upstream during the transfer operation.
All upstream-bound boats will be first rinsed with sprayed upstream water to dislodge loosely adhering debris from the hull. The boat will then be floated in 110oF water for at least one minute. Water at this temperature will instantaneously kill zebra and quagga mussels as well as most other aquatic organisms. During the boat washing procedure, equipment onboard the boats will be removed, sprayed with a pressure washer then immersed in a tub of 110oF water for at least one minute. The measures recommended in this document will ensure that no live fish, invertebrates or plants are moved upstream at the transfer station. The station cleansing equipment will be designed such that additional cleansing agents can be added to the cleaning procedure as warranted by emerging Great Lakes AIS threats. An Aquatic Invasive Species Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (AIS-HACCP) plan and checklists will be developed for quality assurance of the boat cleansing protocol at the site.
Monitoring for aquatic invasive species will take place from May to September. The monitoring will be performed by Lawrence University students under the direction of Dr. Bart DeStasio and will include sampling in the navigation pools up and downstream from Rapide Croche Lock. Sampling methods will target fish and invertebrates. Monitoring has already begun to establish a baseline before the transfer operation commences.
Despite the significant effort proposed herein to prevent the spread of AIS at the Rapide Croche boat transfer station, AIS may still be introduced to the Lake Winnebago system because Rapide Croche is not the sole access point. Over 60 boat access points around the lakes and upper and lower Fox River offer potential entry sites for invasive species on trailered boats. The connection with the Wisconsin River at Portage may also allow AIS access to the system. Law enforcement, education, outreach and cooperation with upstream anglers and boaters are essential for the overall success of the AIS prevention effort.
Find the full detail of the plan by clicking on the Locks Information tab.
Or for more information contact:
Harlan P. Kiesow, CEO
(920) 202-1855
hkiesow@new.rr.com
William Bush, AIS Committee Chair
(920) 213-5007
wbush43476@aol.com
