DANE COUNTY: Algae Boom Study- Dane Co

Dane County is investigating the utility of beach booms to improve water quality for swimmers at area beaches. The booms are intended to divert floating planktonic algae scums from the beach areas being tested. Since they received the initial grant (SPL-226-10), "Algae Boom Study- Dane County", the scope of this project has expanded, advancing the knowledge even further than originally intended, and they are working with many more partners. In 2010, Dane County partnered with City of Madison Engineering and Parks, DNR, and UW Limnology staff, and used county funds to purchase and install floating booms around the swim areas of Bernie's and BB Clarke Beach to act as deflectors for floating weeds and algae scum. The first year was a success and the project was expanded to Brittingham Beach in 2011.

In 2011, the County Board allocated additional funding for beach deflector pilot projects, and those funds are being used in 2012 to support purchase and installation of an additional floating boom system at Warner Beach in the City of Madison, in order to keep algae scum and nuisance floating weeds away from the swim area. Dane County will apply the $3000 grant (SPL-226-10) to the costs of purchasing this floating boom system for Warner Beach.

Part of the county funding in 2012 will support development of a detailed written report of the various deflector projects on different beaches and under different current situations, and associated City of Madison water quality testing. The written report will include a discussion of project results and their applicability to other areas, and recommendations about the need for funding and program continuation. This report, including beach and boom photos, will be provided to DNR and all project partners, and posted on Dane County and partner websites.

Activities

• Diagnostic/Feasibility Assessment

Final Report and Products

• Madison Area Deflector Boom Evaluation Final Report 2013 [PDF 760 KB]