Flow Measurement Updates
“We Are Watching”
Since the potential construction of a high-capacity well (with a daily extraction of up to 500,000 gallons) arose over three years ago immediately south of Upper Phantom Lake, acute awareness regarding the preservation of the Phantom Lakes has become an vital issue with riparian residents, real estate firms, local businesses, fishermen, recreationists and the Phantom Lakes Management District.
In an effort to determine whether such a well could have a detrimental effect on the lakes, the Lake District has attempted to ascertain a manner in which to measure this potential impact that could be easily understood by the average lay person. After all, complex computer models, geological terminology, and underground strata analysis by professional hydrogeologists are not easily comprehended by the average person who is mainly interested in the pure enjoyment of the recreation provided by the lakes.
The most visible evidence that Upper Phantom Lake is being fed by an underground aquifer lies in the springs that ring the shoreline of the lake. These springs are easily seen as one canoes or kayaks along the shore, and their flow rate can be monitored with a quart jar and a stop watch. The pipes through which these springs flow (artesian wells) are remnants of water systems which provided water directly to homes in the early 1900s to as recently as the late 1970s. We are most fortunate to be able to obtain accurate measurements from four, sometimes five, of these artesians.
Common sense would dictate that if these springs were monitored before, during and after the operation of a high-capacity well and there was an abrupt decrease in the flow rate during the testing or even during the eventual daily operation of this well; this flow disruption would constitute a long-lasting damaging impact on the lake in terms of potential stagnation. Depending on precipitation, water in the Upper Lake totally “turns over” in a 12-18 month period, thereby flushing and furnishing fresh water to the lake.
Update of Spring Flow Measurements on
Upper Phantom Lake - (March '05 to February '07
Through the continuation of spring flow monitoring which commenced in March 2005 till the present, we have now tabulated and graphed the data to show what happens to the flow rates of the four surface springs (flowing wells) around Upper Phantom Lake during the drought period that occurred during the summer of 2005. These graphs indicate that the flow rates have returned to their levels when we first started collecting samples. This gives us some very meaningful insight as to how to anticipate the tentative effect a high capacity well may have on the spring flows.
By locating the bottom of the curves on these graphs, we can easily determine the effect of drought conditions on the flow rates of these springs. Through continued sampling during the high capacity well tests, we then can determine any negative impact such a high capacity well might have if future monitoring shows a greater decrease of flow than that which occurred during the drought period.
To be specific, an analysis of our most reliable spring, Barber 1, shows that the apparent drop in flow rate for this spring is (2.5- 1.5 g/min) or 1.0 gallon per minute over close to 2 years. This is calculated to be about a 39 % fluctuation in flow rate. A similar analysis on other curves shows a nearly equal drop in flow rate. In addition, we can compare the flow rates with the numerical averages for each of the springs. For an example, the Barber 1 average over the 2 years is: 1.96 gallons/minute. Any sustained drop in this average would warrant further investigation.
Granted these figures are quite arbitrary and based on the way the curves are sketched in, this is not an exact science, but we feel that we have a basis to determine if high capacity well will have a detrimental effect on Upper Phantom.
If, after high capacity well pumping shows that there is a sustained decrease in flow rate that is greater than the 40 % figures for the springs, the PLMD maintains that environmental damage is being done to the lakes, and the pumping should be halted, and another location must be found.
We are aware that extended flow sampling must occur, in order to account for drought conditions in the future, and we look forward to continuing these measurements.
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Update of Spring Flow Measurements on
Upper Phantom Lake - (February '07 - July '07)
Over the five months between Feb.‘07 to July ‘07 the flow rates went up to a previously unmeasured high and then returned to the former highs that were measured in February. This might indicate that the flow rates could have been higher in the time prior to April of ‘05, when we initially started measuring. This would mean that the seasonal fluctuation could be even greater than before, and that a greater percentage would have to be considered to determine the impact on the lake that might occur if the high capacity pumping were started.
Although we are not certified hydrogeologists and our data collection system is very basic , we still maintain that the measurement of these spring flows has at least given us an average rate of flow over a long period of time (2 ½ years) to use as a comparison when a high capacity well is put into operation. The 48-hour timeframe utilized for the initial tests of the high capacity well did not demonstrate any significant change in the spring flows. However, the 4 to 5 foot drop in the private well levels that occurred during the tests should act to alert us as to the potential effect on the shallow aquifer that supplies these wells and possibly the lake. Also, if there is a definite lag in the effect on springs due to seasonal rainfall, as shown by our data, there could be a similar lag in any effect due to the high capacity pumping, which may account for the apparent lack of effect of the spring flow during the pumping. The Lake District looks forward to maintaining a program of continued monitoring of these flowing wells.
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Update of Spring Flow Measurements on
Upper Phantom Lake - (July '07 - April '08)
Just in case you thought we forgot about it, we are still watching the spring flows on Upper Phantom Lake. We’ve been watching for THREE YEARS, as of April 1, 2008. The reason is, we are all concerned about the effect that a high capacity well would have on the on both lakes if a well were drilled into the aquifer that feeds Upper Phantom Lake. We maintain that if a high capacity well (One million gallons per day) were drilled and operated to full capacity, the spring flow into the upper lake would be interrupted enough to stop the positive flow to the lower lake and cause the upper lake to possibly suffer after continued pumping.
Although a previous agreement forged in 2001 between the Village of Mukwonago and the Phantom Lake YMCA Camp was allowed by the camp board to expire (prudent choice), a new drilling site further from the lakeshore at the Caine horse farm on Highway J has been sited and obtained by the Village for a high capacity well. Volunteers will continue flow rate monitoring of the springs, thereby establishing an even greater data base for reference in the event the new site is selected for a municipal well.
Also, anyone that is interested in learning how to take spring flow samples should contact Pete Kumlien at 363-4796.