Lake Montesian Conservation Plan
Metrics
Community
Green CountyCommunity Size
44,411University
University of Wisconsin - MadisonProgram
UniverCity YearCase Type
Project StoriesFocus Areas
EquityDiscipline
Enviormental StudiesRegion
EPA Region 5, USAUniversity Department Code
Earth and Environmental SciencesSustainable Development Goals
06 Clean Water and SanitationPopulation Type
ResidentsThe Village of Monticello wants Lake Montesian to be a beautiful landmark of the town that can also provide a healthy population of fish to support fishing activities. In addition
to the lake’s aesthetic and practical functions, residents also enjoy using the island in
the middle as a location for special events such as weddings and high school dances.
Each January, the town holds a fishing tournament at Lake Montesian, and each July
fireworks are set off on the island. The lake has been facing a number of environmental
threats that have led to murky, eutrophic water and an uncertain and unhealthy
population of fish. As a result, Kevin Komprood, the public works director of Monticello,
reached out to The Nelson Institute at the University of Wisconsin, Madison to draft a
conservation plan for Lake Montesian.
In order to work toward a lake that has healthy water quality, our project team identified
four main biodiversity targets for the lake: littoral zones, fish communities, submerged
plant communities, and water column (see Section 4). Four direct threats to these
targets have also been identified: mowing, overfishing, introduction of invasive species,
and nutrient loading (Section 5).
Read the final student report delivered to the local gov/community partner.
UniverCity Year Contact Info
Gavin Luter
Managing Director
gavin@cows.org
608-261-1141
University Faculty Contact
Arlyne Johnson
Environmental Studies
ajohns10@wisc.edu
Local Government / Community Contact