Trout Lake Station Users' Guide

Trout Lake station is part of the UW campus system and all campus rules apply.

Housing

Reservations:  To obtain housing at Trout Lake Station please contact Pam Fashingbauer. Housing is in short supply in the summer so make your reservations early. Please do not change room assignments with out checking with Pam. If you plans change please let Pam know ASAP so the room can be made available to others.

Bedding:  The station does not provide towels or bedding.  Some blankets and pillows are available but people usually bring their own bedding. Mattress pads are provided on all beds.

Meals:  The station provides no meals.  Cooking facilities are available in each residence.  Supermarkets are available in Minocqua and Boulder Junction.  Those in Minocqua are larger and open 24 hours a day.

Cleanup:  No cleaning service is provided for station housing.  Each resident is required to maintain his/her cabin or room in a reasonable state of cleanliness. Failure to maintain cleanliness can result in the loss of access to station housing.

Leaving: Residents completing their stays at Trout Lake are responsible for cleaning their residences thoroughly.  No food of any sort should be left in refrigerators or cupboards unless specific arrangements have been made with other residents.

Laundry: Washers and dryers are located in Juday house and in the shower building.

Trash:  Household trash should be separated from recyclables. Containers are located at the Juday House and near the workshop. Garbage should be placed in plastic bags, tied securely and put into the dumpster.  Trash should not be allowed to accumulate in the residences and should never be stored outdoors other than in designated locations.  Skunks, raccoons and bears can make a real mess if a bag is left outside overnight. Garbage pickup is on Monday and Friday. Put any fish remains in the dumpster that morning.

Station Logistics

Weekly Seminars:  To keep everyone informed of research occurring at the station, we hold a series of informal seminars during the summer.  Seminars are scheduled every Wednesday at 1800, plan on attending the seminars. Everyone doing research here should plan to present during the summer.

Volleyball:  Volleyball is the official sport of all field stations and Trout Lake is no exception.  Our games are held immediately following the seminars every week (and on other occasions as well).  The games provide a good opportunity for socializing even if you don't plan on playing.

Security:  The main laboratory, and all storage buildings should all be locked while unattended except during business hours. If you are the last person to leave any of these buildings during non-business hours, please be sure that all lights are off, and that all doors are locked. 

Parking:  Residents should park in the lots near cabins or in the main parking lot.  Areas near the lab are reserved for research vehicles. DO NOT park on the grassy areas near the cabins.  Fines will be assessed for illegal parking!

Station Equipment

Station Vehicle Use:  University fleet vehicles are to be used for official business only.  Drivers must obtain approval from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Office of Risk Management prior to using station vehicles.  Only persons associated with the station should ride in station vehicles. (e.g. family members and visiting friends should not ride in the vehicles).  You are not insured while driving a state vehicle unless you have obtained approval from Risk Management. Station residents without other means of transportation may use station vehicles on occasion for errands such as grocery shopping.  If you have a question about vehicle use, see Pam Fashingbauer or Tim Kratz.

Accidents: All accidents involving station vehicles must be reported within 24 hrs of the accident. Accident report forms are found in the glove compartments of the vehicles. Forms need to be turned into Pam Fashingbauer, John Vehrs or Tim Kratz. Un- reported accidents could result in loss of driving privileges.

Boat and Motor Use: Motors, oars, and flotation devices are stored in the gas shack.  Oars are specified for Jon boats or Alumacrafts because of different sized oarlocks.  Oars and flotation devices are in short supply and must be returned to the gas shack after each use.  Someone may need them during the evening so don't keep them overnight even if you plan to use them the following morning.  Gas cans are stored in the metal building next to the acid shack.  If boats and motors are not required for research, they may be used for limited recreational activities. See Tim Kratz with questions about recreational boat use. A Personnal Flotation Device (not a seat cushion) must be available for each boat occupant at all times.  It is station policy that each boat occupant wear a PFD during the period from 1 September through 31 May and it is strongly recommended that they be worn during summer months as well. You can be fined for having insufficient PFDs available in a boat. This fine is your responsibility and will not be paid by CFL. Any boat over 16 ft also requires one throwable (cushion) on board.

Reserving station vehicles: The use of station vehicles should be scheduled in advance.  Reservations are handled by the station coordinator.  Requests for vehicle use must be made by 7:30 Thursday morning for the following week.   A schedule for vehicle and boat use is posted in the main lab downstairs. Any unreserved vehicles or boats may be signed out on a daily basis. 

SCUBA:  Only certified divers may use station equipment.  Use of station equipment must be cleared with Susan Knight.  Researchers must dive with a buddy at all times.  A research group is responsible for refilling the tanks that it uses.  Arrangements for the use of SCUBA equipment must be made as far in advance as possible; it is often in short supply.  A copy of your certification must be on file at Trout Lake . Please give certificate to Pam Fashingbauer.

Tools:  The station has an assortment of hand and power tools.  You should clear any use of this equipment with John Vehrs.  No one should use a power tool unless he/she has received proper training in its use.  Protective eyewear must be used at all time.

Lab Equipment:  Use of lab equipment needs to be cleared with Tim Kratz /Pam Montz or the person responsible for the equipment.

Coffee:  Coffee is made available in the lunchroom through an informal cooperative.  Each user should pay for coffee by the cup and then use the coffee fund to replenish the coffee supply.

Photocopies: Research related copies may be made at any time. Personal copies can be made for $0.05/copy.  This is an honor system.  Please put the money in the desk in the main office.

Postage: Stamps for business use and personal use are available in the main office. (See Pam Fashingbauer for location)