Eau Claire County – �鶹��Ƶ

Exploring green technology solutions to prevent blue green algae

Ada Inman — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 17:25:42 +0000

Undergraduate engineering students researched eight possible strategies utilizing sustainable technology to prevent blue-green algae from growing in Lake Altoona. UniverCity Contact Info: UniverCityAlliance@wisc.edu [...]

Charting the path to carbon neutrality: Sustainable energy recommendations for Eau Claire County

Ada Inman — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 17:21:58 +0000

Identified problem: Eau Claire County government buildings, specifically the Courthouse and Jail, experience elevated energy consumption, making up ~91% of Eau Claire County government electricity usage. The goals included providing further recommendations to improve energy efficiency and reduce energyconsumption and carbon emissions, particularly for the county courthouse and jail, and investigating renewable energy projects/options to [...]

Conducting an energy audit of three Eau Claire County facilities

Ada Inman — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 17:15:56 +0000

The study focused on three county facilities 1) the courthouse built in 1973 and later expanded in 2012, 2) the jail which was relocated to a new building following the expansion, and 3) a smaller maintenance building built in 1975. These facilities have been supported by energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives, including participation in Xcel Energy’s Solar Rewards program since 2017, allowing the county to purchase 165 kW of solar energy annually. Energy consumption for these facilities is tracked using the Energy Star Portfolio Manager, a tool that helps benchmark efficiency against similar buildings.

A comprehensive evaluation of the current utility consumption patterns and sustainability initiatives at the facilities was done focusing on their energy consumption and carbon emissions. The findings indicate a positive trend in energy efficiency improvements throughout these facilities, driven by
previous investments in LED lighting, improved temperature controls, improved heating efficiency, and more. The continued pursuit of similar implementations will allow the county to make progress in reducing carbon intensity by 50% by 2030 stated in the county’s CARP (County, 2024-2030). Despite significant reductions in natural gas consumption and carbon emissions at the courthouse, there has been less progress in reducing demand across all facilities. To meet the county’s ambitious 2050 carbon emissions reduction goals, further sustainable/energy efficient strategies and actions are required.

This report identifies several different energy efficient, water efficient, and transportation strategies. A key recommendation is the pursuit of LEED certification for county buildings. LEED is a sustainable building certification program that identifies key areas of sustainability for different building types. Switching county facilities to heat pumps could electrify heating and cooling systems as well as hot water heating systems. This shift combined with Xcels’ dedication to future carbon neutral energy generation the buildings could eliminate most natural gas consumption. A few options for heat pump
systems are discussed and analyzed in the recommendations section. Other energy efficient strategies touched on in the recommendation section include improving buildings’ insulation, energy efficient replacements for old windows, and the creation of a county Joint Energy Management Team. For water
management, implementing greywater recycling systems, rainwater harvesting systems, and installing low-flow fixtures are recommended. These systems will decrease municipal water use and can manage stormwater runoff. Improving stormwater management via permeable pavements, and rain
gardens/bioswales, is recommended for the site to improve water quality and reduce runoff mitigating potential pollution to nearby water bodies. Lastly, improvements to the transportation infrastructure to support electric vehicles, promote carpooling, and improve public transit access will help reduce the carbon footprint associated with commuting to these facilities. By adopting these recommendations, the county can further reduce its energy and water use and advance its sustainability objectives.

UniverCity Contact Info: UniverCityAlliance@wisc.edu

Protecting lake health from harmful algae blooms through public engagement and education

Ada Inman — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 17:12:16 +0000

Students from the Fall 2023 cohort of the Forest and Wildlife Ecology 599 Research Capstone were tasked with addressing two challenges:

1. What is causing the harmful algal blooms? Specifically, where are the nutrients coming in from?
2. How can we communicate to the public about the issue and how they can help?

To support Eau Claire County’s efforts to protect lake health from harmful algae blooms, the FWE 599 cohort of Fall 2023:
1. Generated educational resources for elementary schools and public libraries.
2. Designed a community science kit to support county efforts at measuring lake health.

UniverCity Contact Info: UniverCityAlliance@wisc.edu

Developing a conservation plan for Lake Altoona

Ada Inman — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 17:07:39 +0000

A group of graduate students from the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison worked collaboratively with representatives of the Eau Claire River Watershed Coalition (ECRWC) to create a conservation action plan for Lake Altoona. The ECRWC created a 9-key element plan in 2015-2017 and meets monthly to update members on the work undertaken (Eau Claire River Watershed Coalition, 2022). A primary concern of the residents of the watershed is the quality of the surface waters for recreational activities, and the focus of the plan is on reduction in sedimentation and runoff to the lakes, which have suffered an increase in algae blooms and beach closures over the past decade. Lake Altoona has been identified as the conservation target for this project because two main rivers, the Eau Claire River and Five Mile Creek, and numerous springs within the Eau Claire River Watershed flow into it, reflecting the state of the entire watershed. As one of the more popular lakes for recreation, it also receives significant attention from local residents.

UniverCity Contact Info: UniverCityAlliance@wisc.edu

Analyzing the costs and benefits of sediment removal from the Eau Claire River

Ada Inman — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 17:06:17 +0000

This report addresses the issue of sediment accumulation in Eau Claire River lake impoundments and assesses the beneﬁts and costs of four diﬀerent options regarding its removal, along with additional sub-options. The purpose of this planning eﬀort is to provide a reference framework for Eau Claire County to use when estimating the outcomes of each possibility. Data was collected from peer-reviewed scientﬁc articles, local and historical newspapers, Eau Claire County’s 2023 budget, and interviews with “Friends of” lake rehabilitation groups. Additional information on beach closures was provided by the class of Environmental Science 972.

The key ﬁndings of this study show that the most cost-eﬀective method of sediment removal for Eau Claire County to pursue would be Option 3B. This involved managing upland sediment to prevent accumulation downstream while continuing current dredging practices and expanding when possible. This will allow the county to maintain the health and presence of Lakes Altoona and Eau Claire while also considering the recreational and aesthetic beneﬁts of these bodies of water. In the long term, it may be more beneﬁcial in terms of cost and environmental sustainability for the county to consider the removal of one or both main dams along the Eau Claire River. This op􀀁on is the most expensive in the short term and will require stakeholder input well in advance of implementation.

UniverCity Contact Info: UniverCityAlliance@wisc.edu

Developing strategies for riverbank stabilization along the Eau Claire River

Ada Inman — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 17:04:41 +0000

The project is located East of Lake Altoona in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin. This project consists of stabilizing five miles of river bank along the Eau Claire River. The sites targeted displayed relatively high rates of erosion and regression per year. Construction includes site work which requires erosion control measures, earthwork, and a combination of bank stabilization measures. This involves cutting the bank slopes to a shallower angle, the placement of revetment along the bank toe via riprap stone and gabions, installing geowebs and jute mats to stabilize the vegetation on upper part of the banks, along with the placement of ground anchors. The work schedule expects completion of the bank stabilization in just over two years.

UniverCity Contact Info: UniverCityAlliance@wisc.edu

Developing a sustainable fleet vehicle strategy for Eau Claire County

Ada Inman — Tue, 13 Aug 2024 17:03:01 +0000

This report lays out a strategic roadmap to tackle Eau Claire County’s fleet management challenges. Our main objectives focus on improving cost-effectiveness, right-sizing the fleet, reducing rotation times, increasing overall utilization, and fostering collaboration across departments for more efficient operations. Among the various strategies considered, the report zeroes in on two key approaches. First, optimizing the fleet size to match operational needs, and second, concentrating efforts on rotation schedules and cross-departmental vehicle usage. The latter involves a novel concept: using unfitted passenger vehicles for shared purposes. By focusing on rotation timing and cross-departmental utilization through this innovative approach, we aim to bring about a transformative shift in Eau Claire County’s fleet management. The envisioned future is one marked by streamlined processes, fiscal responsibility, and a commitment to sustainability. The proposed strategic initiatives set the stage for a resilient, adaptable, and efficient fleet management system tailored to meet the diverse needs of the community.

UniverCity Contact Info: UniverCityAlliance@wisc.edu