LOWER WISCONSIN RIVER - According to Friends of the Lower Wisconsin Riverway (FLOW) treasurer Patrick Michaels. About $35,700 has been donated through FLOW’s website toward the purchase of the new River Rescue Boat by the Muscoda Fire Department. The total cost of the boat is $140,000.

Michaels said that other than that, May and June had been relatively quiet months for FLOW finances. He said that $7,500 had come in as direct donations to FLOW. To donate, go to the Friends of the Lower Wisconsin Riverway (FLOW) web page at: https://www.wisconsinriverfriends.org/donate.

FLOW president Timm Zumm reported that since the board last met, he had been very busy with groups on the river. He said that the week before he had provided a safety escort for a group from the River Alliance. He said they were there to accompany RA’s Lindsey Davis on his ’30 for 30th’ canoe trip down the Wisconsin River as part of his pledge to paddle thirty rivers in 2023 in honor of RA’s 30th anniversary, of which the trip was his 27th of the year.

“The group got into a pool of quicksand on a sand bar, and had a great time splashing around,” Zumm said. “At one point, things got a little exciting when one of the women stepped on the shell of a leather back – we got ahold of the turtle, and watched it dig itself right back into the quicksand.”

The group also included staff attorneys from Midwest Environmental Advocates, and Evan Feinauer of Clean Wisconsin. FLOW vice president Dave Marshall reported to the group that Clean Wisconsin has expressed an interest in working more closely with FLOW in the future.

Zumm also told the group that a 13-year-old girl from Spring Green has taken an interest in Starhead Topminnows, and would be featured on a Wisconsin Wetland Association ‘Coffee Break’ virtual event on July 28.

Safety committee

Dave Krueger, who drives the 150-mile route to re-stock ‘Kids Don’t Float’ lifevest kiosks weekly, reported that the kiosk at the Boscobel boat landing had been reinstalled by the City now that the improvement project has been completed.

He said that FLOW has received a large number of life vest donations this season, and Zumm reported that he had recently acquired two adult vests online for $40.

Zumm also reported that on a recent visit to the VFW boat landing in Prairie du Sac, he’d seen a life vest kiosk put in place by a local FFA club. He said that it seemed to be modeled after FLOW’s kiosks, but suggested FLOW volunteer to improve it by making it possible to hang the life vests versus storing them in a chest. He said the problem with the chest is that they don’t get a chance to dry out after being used, which means the quality of the vests can deteriorate.

Science Symposium

After a couple of years off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the FLOW Science Committee will once again offer their renowned Science Symposium. The event is planned for Saturday, September 23, in Sauk Prairie.

Jean Unmuth was instrumental in securing a grant from WDNR to defray the expense of the event, and told the board that her volunteer time should be sufficient for the match required for the grant.

Information will be available soon about the speakers for the event, and a registration page will be available on the Friends of the Lower Wisconsin River web page. A limited number of lunches will be available at the site of the Symposium, but there are many dining options in Sauk Prairie as well. Registration cost will be $10 for the symposium only – in-person or virtual; $20 for symposium and lunch; and students get in free, but if they want lunch, that will cost $10.