Coastal Environment of WisconsinWisconsin, while not touching an ocean, is a coastal state, and with good reason! Wisconsin has over 15,000 lakes and 12,600 rivers and streams. The many lakes in Wisconsin's glaciated region are glacial lakes surrounded by glacial till. Sandstone and dolomite make up the groundwater aquifer system in the state. Average wind speeds across the state are generally mild. The majority of Wisconsin's population lives along lake shores or rivers such as Lake Michigan or the Yahara Lakes, or the Wisconsin, Fox, and Mississippi Rivers. Recreation is important for citizens of the state as well as coastal landowners. Fishing, boating, swimming, and other recreation activities are very popular with citizens and a major draw for Wisconsin's tourism industry. Coastal Issues and HazardsThe reviewed hydrokinetic generators are ideally placed at or near the water surface and are very large in scale to collect the greatest ammount of energy. This creates a navigation issue for the luxury boating and commercial shipping interests in the state. Also by placing large, moving structures into the habitat of fish and plant species, there is a chance of habitat degradation. There also arises the possibility of sediment resuspension and scouring of the bed near the emplaced structure. The effects of any generator on recreation in the area will be model dependant. All these factors must be addressed before any hydrokinetic device can be implemented in and around Wisconsin's lakes and rivers. The ideal site will also consider power transmission distances and equipment. |