G3216

The lake lake in your

communitycommunity

Lowell L. KlessigNicolaas W. BouwesDouglas A. Yanggen

Lakes are blue jewels that add diversity to thelandscape. Lakes provide opportunities for outdoorrecreation. For these reasons, shoreline lots areprized as homesites.

But lakes are also fragile. Increasing use of a lakeand its shorelines can strain the delicateecosystem and cause problems. The major prob-lems include algae blooms, nuisance weeds, silta-tion, winterkill of fish, loss of attractive woodedshorelines, and conflicts among lake users.

To avoid or reduce these problems, lakes and theirwatersheds must be managed. This booklet is de-signed for property owners, lake district commis-sioners, civic leaders and local officials with activeinterest in lakes in their communities. It describesthe basic ecology of lakes, lake problems and solu-tions, the role citizens play in protecting lakes,benefits and costs of lake management, and howcommunities can receive assistance in managinglakes.

A lake ecosystem is a community of interactinganimals, plants and microorganisms and thephysical and chemical environment in which theylive.

A complex interdependence has evolved amongthe organisms that comprise the lake community.It is not possible to disturb one part of theecosystem without affecting other parts. A road, ahousing development, a drainage project, a forestfire, acid rain or another change in the watershedcan alter the delicate balance of the lakeecosystem.

An ecosystem with a great diversity of life formsand habitats is stable. A lake that has extensivemarshes around it, shallow areas near shore (lit-toral zone), and deep open water is more stablethan a lake without this diversity.

However, even diverse lake ecosystems changefrom season to season and from year to year.Short-term events like a single algae bloom do notnecessarily signal a long-term problem.

On the other hand, changes in land use in thewatershed may not immediately manifest them-selves in the lake. It may take a decade or morebefore the effects of new agricultural practices orurbanization result in weed problems or fish kills.

Origin of Lakes

Even without human disturbances, lakes are tem-porary features of the landscape. They can be ex-pected to disappear in several thousand years astheir outlets enlarge through erosion, or as theyfill through sedimentation.

Most Wisconsin lakes were formed by glaciers.Ice blocks buried within glacial deposits melted toform steep-sided kettle lakes. Other lakes wereformed when glacial debris dammed up valleys.

Wisconsin also has a number of bog lakes, par-ticularly in the northern part of the state. Usuallylandlocked, these are mostly kettle lakes, with lit-tle outlet flow and minimal fluctuation of waterlevels. Characteristically, their brown water isacidic and floating mats of vegetation extend outfrom their shores.

Oxbow lakes are created when a river cuts acrossa meander, isolating the old river bed and forminga generally horseshoe-shaped lake.

Lakes are also formed behind dams created forhydropower, flood control, recreation, or irriga-tion. Many communities were built around mill-ponds that supplied power to saw logs or grindgrain.

Properties of Water

Water is an essential solvent that supports plantand animal life.l Water retains heat�buffering temperature

fluctuations in the air above it.l Water dissolves matter�transporting the

dissolved elements (such as oxygen gas)throughout the lake.

l Water is less dense in its solid state�allowinglakes to freeze from the top, protecting thewater below.

l Water holds substances in suspension wherethey can participate in ecosystem interactions.

l Water is transparent�allowing the sunlight topenetrate to more than 10 feet in clear lakes.

Water clarity is measured with a Secchi disc. Ifthe white and black disc cannot be seen whensubmerged only a short distance, the water issaid to be turbid. Lake turbidity may be caused bysiltation or algae blooms.

Movement of Water

In Wisconsin, about three-fourths of theprecipitation that falls reenters the atmosphere bytranspiration from plants and evaporation fromthe earth�s surface. In flat or sandy areas, most ofthe remaining water enters the groundwater andmoves underground toward lakes and rivers.Many lakes are intersections of water table andland surface.

Water that runs off the surface also enters riversand lakes. Spring-fed lakes are fed primarily bygroundwater and drainage lakes are fed primarilyby surface runoff.

Lake levels vary from season to season and yearto year. Precipitation is the principal cause oflake-level fluctuation. If rainfall decreases, thelake levels fall. If rainfall increases, lake levelseventually rise. However, the lag betweenprecipitation and lake-level change varies fromdays to years depending on the lake. Dams canbe used to modify some of these fluctuations, butvarying lake levels are a normal characteristic ofthe natural system.

Lake Oxygen Supplies

Oxygen gas is a common substance dissolved inlake water. It is absorbed from the atmosphereand is produced by aquatic plants. However, inwinter the oxygen in the atmosphere is sealed offfrom the lake by ice, and a snow blanket on theice may prevent sunlight from reaching theplants. Without light, the plants die. Then insteadof the plants producing oxygen, their decomposi-tion consumes oxygen. The combination of thesetwo factors often causes winterkill in shallow

lakes which are not replenished by inflowingwater. The stored oxygen in the water is depletedby late winter. Such lakes can be aerated ar-tificially, the snow can be removed from the ice,or steps can be taken earlier to reduce or harvestweed growth.

During the summer, water in a shallow lake iskept thoroughly mixed by the wind, unless thelake is small and protected from the wind. Waterin deep lakes stratifies into thermal layers. Coolwater is heavy and stays in the lake bottom in alayer called the hypolimnion. The warm waterstays on top in the epilimnion. A narrow band oftransition from cold to warm water is called thethermocline. During summer months, little mixingoccurs between layers.

Water in the epilimnion is in contact with the air,and has plenty of oxygen. However, if plant mat-ter or sewage is decaying on the lake bottom, theoxygen in the hypolimnion may be depleted. Fishthat require cool water with high oxygen levelscan no longer survive.

During the spring and fall the temperature be-tween the layers of water disappear. These�turnover� periods allow the entire lake to bereoxygenated and fish may inhabit the deeperwaters.

The demand for oxygen caused by the decay ofsewage, algae or vegetation is called thebiochemical oxygen demand (BOD). As theamount of decaying matter in the lake bottom in-creases from more sewage or excessive plantgrowth in the lake, dissolved oxygen (DO) levelsfall and certain desirable sport fish disappear.

The Food Web

The food web begins with green plants. With thehelp of sunlight and chlorophyll (as a catalyst),plants convert carbon dioxide and water intosugar and oxygen gas. Reactions that take placeduring this process�called photosynthesis�arecomplex.

The sugar produced during photosynthesis isglucose. From it green plants synthesize other

sugars, starches, fats, and cellulose�the ingre-dients of living matter. The food web transfersthese ingredients and energy from organism toorganism. Plants are eaten by animals andanimals are eaten by each other. The predator ofone species is prey of another.

The oxygen produced during photosynthesis isvital to animals for breathing. Oxygen is alsoneeded by bacteria and fungi that decay plant andanimal matter. Decomposition is a needed phasein the cycle of life. Through decomposition,nutrients are recycled for continued plant growth.

More than one species is involved in each step ofthe cycle of growth and decay.

With all essential conditions and materials pre-sent, a particular plant or animal population willgrow and multiply until one of the materialsbecomes scarce or limiting.

Among plants, the controlling factor is usuallyphosphorus�a plant nutrient. The availablephosphorus may be used by microscopic plants(algae). Addition of more phosphorus fromsewage treatment plants, urban and farmlandrunoff and septic tanks is likely to increase the in-tensity of algae blooms and unbalance the foodweb.

Rooted plants are a normal and essential part of ahealthy ecosystem. They are limited by

phosphorus and the depth to which the sunlightcan penetrate the water. If more phosphorus isadded, or if sedimentation makes the lakeshallower, these plants can spread and become anuisance to recreation and to the winter survivalof the fish when the rotting plants use oxygen.

HabitatsOrganisms require habitats that provide food,shelter, reproduction sites, oxygen, propertemperature and other conditions. A water lilyneeds soft sediments to allow its large tuberousroot to grow, and its needs shelter from strongwinds. Its flexible stems can withstand onlymoderate wave action and changes in water level.

Fish also occupy a unique ecological niche withinthe larger habitat. For example, a walleye hasspecial eyes to catch small fish at night when itsprey cannot see as well as it does. Walleye cansurvive in large lakes with few weeds and in tur-bid lakes with algal blooms. However, they needgravel bars for spawning and may swim farupstream to find appropriate spawning grounds.

Northern pike and muskie need wetlands tospawn in and weeds to hide in. They ambushtheir prey during daylight, using their long bodiesto strike from behind rocks, logs and weeds.

Bluegills, bass and crappie spawn along theshores of lakes without migrating to new habitats.They clean the silt from the bottom by fanning, laytheir eggs, fertilize the eggs, and fan them tokeep them supplied with oxygen. In large lakes,however, big waves can destroy the spawningbeds of these species. These fish need weeds forcover; their bodies are designed to turn quickly toescape predators.

Because of the needs of each species for a specialhabitat, fish stocking has limited potential. Fishsuch as walleye cannot reproduce in most smalllakes. Where natural reproduction occurs, stock-

ing usually will be insignificant, compared to thenumbers of fry born naturally. Existing fish canalso decimate new stockings of fry.

Protecting the natural habitat maintains a balanc-ed ecosystem and desirable species of both fishand plants.

While various species live mainly in a particularhabitat, they belong to a larger interacting com-munity. Because of these relationships, the bestway to manage the numbers and types of plantsand animals in a lake is to deal with the entirecommunity rather than to attempt to manage anindividual plant or animal species.

If one habitat is altered, the whole community ischanged in some way.

EutrophicationEutrophication is the process by which lakes areenriched with nutrients. While the process isnatural, human activities have greatly acceleratedthe rate�principally by adding phosphorus tolakes.

Nutrients which enter a lake at a specific locationare called point sources. These include municipalsewage plants, certain industrial establishments,urban storm drains and livestock feed lots.

Diffuse, or non-point, sources are more difficult topinpoint and to treat. They include agriculturalrunoff from fields, groundwater high in nutrients,nutrient-rich septic tank effluents and nutrientsfrom wetland drainage. The recycling of nutrientsfrom bottom sediments can be yet anothersource. The release of nutrients from sedimentstakes place naturally, but can be increased whenthe bottom is stirred up by carp, motorboats orwaves. Even rainfall adds air-borne nutrients to alake.

A lake that has become fertile, through the slowprocess of nature or the accelerated influence ofman, is called a eutrophic lake. Winnebago is awell-known example of a shallow eutrophic lake.Any lake with severe algae blooms or excessiveweed growth is �over-fertilized.� Many smalleutrophic lakes have filled in entirely and becomewetlands.

Other lakes, primarily in northern Wisconsin,have experienced little nutrient enrichment andsedimentation. Their sand bottoms and coolwaters support a high quality, but limited, fisherybecause the amount of plant growth is small.These lakes are called oligotrophic. LakeSuperior is the best known example.

Sedimentation

Closely associated with nutrient enrichment issedimentation. As wind and water move soilsfrom uplands down to a lake, the lake becomesshallow. This is a natural aging process governedby gravity and the force of rain and wind.

However, sedimentation is greatly accelerated byactivities that leave the soil bare for extendedperiods, that take place on steep slopes, and thatoccur in close proximity to a lake or inlet streams.

In reservoirs formed behind dams, sedimentationis rapid. Streams normally carry a suspendedload of fine particles. When stream water enters areservoir, water speed is reduced and thesematerials settle out.

Sedimentation is also caused internally as plantsdie and decay on the lake bottom. Such organicsediments are commonly called muck, which maybe many feet thick.

Contamination

Contamination is caused by the addition of harm-ful materials to a lake. These materials may bechemicals, such as herbicides, pesticides,arsenic or mercury, and a variety of industrialwaste products. The materials may be organismsthat cause disease in people or damage plants oranimals in the lake. The presence of intestinalbacteria results in the closing of public swimmingareas and frequently threatens the drinking waterof lake property owners.

While certain chemicals have useful managementpurposes, contaminants in general disrupt thenatural balance. Chemical treatment of weedsmay result in algae blooms as nutrients arereleased from decaying plants. Carp and exoticcrayfish can also control lake weeds, but typicallydamage the fishery at the same time.

Acid Rain

Acid rain is formed when air pollutants�primarilysulfur and nitrogen oxides�are emitted by coal-fired power plants, cars, natural processes andindustries. These oxides combine with water inthe atmosphere to form sulfuric and nitric acids,which fall to earth with rain or snow and eventual-ly alter the chemical balance of the environment.

The concentration of hydrogen ions (pH) deter-mines the acidity of the water. The higher theconcentration, the lower the pH and the greaterthe acidity. Precipitation in Wisconsin is about4.6 on the pH scale.

Drinking water and lakes in Wisconsin typicallyrange from pH 6 to pH 8. Waters in limestone-richareas have highest pH. Lakes in the northern partof Wisconsin are threatened because they havelittle limestone to buffer the acid. As the pH fallsbelow 6, certain species of fish begin to have dif-ficulty reproducing. Other organisms in the lakeecosystem are also affected.

Water ph Fish Species Comparable Acidity7.06.05.5

5.0

4.5

WalleyeLake troutSmallmouth bassNorthern pikeSunfishBullheadPerch

(Distilled water)Pea juiceSpinach juice

Carrot juice

Beer

ACIDITY LEVELS AT WHICH SPAWINING IS INHIBITED

What Can Be Done

Deteriorated lakes can be restored but thetask is difficult. Understanding of lakeecosystems is incomplete. If technical answersare available, they may be expensive to apply.Besides, the results of a lake restoration projectmay not be apparent for years.

For all these reasons, protection should be thefirst priority of most lake communities. If the lakeis a valuable recreational asset, the primary ob-jective should be to prevent further deterioration.Three general ways to prevent lake deteriorationare managing the watershed, protecting theshoreline and controlling use of the lake surface.

Rehabilitation efforts are classified as in-laketechniques. If your lake needs rehabilitation andis rehabilitated, your community will want to besure its investment is protected with strongfollow-up management.

Watershed Management

A watershed is the area of land from which waterdrains into a given lake or river. A lake is a pro-duct of its initial size and depth and its water-shed. The speed with which a lake fills in andbecomes enriched depends on the movement ofsoil and nutrients from the watershed to the lake.

Professional advice on

reducing erosion can be

obtained, without charge,

from these offices in countycourthouses: County Land

Conservation, University of

Wisconsin-Extension, and

U.S. Soil Conservation Ser-vice.

All activities on the land, especially homebuilding, road construction, logging and farming,have the potential to increase erosion and damagelakes. However, with proper precautions, the soilerosion from these essential economic activitiescan be minimized.

Here are some corrective actions which tend toreduce the transport of nutrients and soil intolakes:

T h e c o u n t y c o d e a d -

ministrator is the official

with principal responsibility

for enforcing shoreland

zoning, which covers all

land within 1000 feet of alake or 300 feet of a stream.

FARMINGl Minimum tillagel Contour farmingl Clean water diversion around barnyardl Storing manure in winterl Increasing forage acreage (less corn)l Efficient use of fertilizerl Fencing streambanksl Ordinances to limit soil loss

URBAN AREASl Ordinances to control erosion from construc-

tion sitesl Holding areas for runoff from big parking lotsl Sweeping leaves and dirt from streetsl Cleaning storm sewer catch basinsl Diverting storm sewers or sewage effluent

HIGHWAY AND UTILITY CORRIDORSl Proper route selectionl Sedimentation trapsl Mulching and seedingl Spillways and waterwaysl Diversions

FORESTRYl Leaving timber on very steep slopesl Logging steep slopes and low areas when

ground is frozenl Building stream and gully crossingsl Reforestationl Excluding livestock

Shoreline Protection

Note: The following characterizations of lake pro-perty owners are based on a formal survey con-ducted by the Wisconsin Survey Research Lab.

Wisconsin law requires counties to adopt and en-force shoreland protection ordinances. Lake pro-perty owners support regulations which are asrestrictive as the present state standards shownbelow:

A clear majority also favor controlling buildingdesign and color and prohibiting filling or dredg-ing on the shoreline.

In general, lake property owners recognize andadvocate the need for controls on land subdivi-sions, commercial development and constructionactivity. These attitudes demonstrate their will-ingness to support public officials in their effortsto protect shorelands from overuse.

While lake property owners oppose high densitydevelopment on the shoreline and support con-trols designed to protect shorelines from newdevelopment, many of them continue to disturbtheir own shoreline. Educational efforts and sug-gestions from neighbors could reduce this prob-lem. A natural shoreline buffer of vegetation is im-portant to intercept soil and nutrients headed forthe lake. It also provides habitat for fish, frogsand other wildlife. Perhaps most important, thevegetation protects the natural beauty of the lake.

Some communities have purchased criticalshorelines and wetlands to protect them fromdevelopment.

Boating Controls

Lake property owners believe there is a need forgreater community control over motorized recrea-tion. Even though the families of most lake pro-perty owners engage in boating and almost halfwater ski, about three out of four lake propertyowners favor control of these activities. They alsowant snowmobile and trail bike use regulated.

Since property owners will be directly affected byregulation of motorized recreation, they shouldtake part in determining relevant local town boardor city council policies.

It may not always be possible to make motorizedrecreation compatible with canoeing, sailing, hik-ing and nature study. Local government canadopt ordinances to separate the activities in dif-ferent areas or at different times. Lake propertyowners recognize that control of motorizedrecreation is needed to protect the quality of otherforms of outdoor recreation and to preserve thesolitude and beauty that they cherish.

In-Lake Techniques

Dredging is a water quality improvementtechnique that removes nutrient-rich sediments.It has broader purposes too. Dredging can in-crease the usable amount of lake surface forrecreation and navigation. It increases depth andvolume of oxygenated water to help sustain fishlife. And it deepens the littoral (near shore) zoneto retard plant growth by increasing depth belowthe photic zone of light penetration. Little sunlightis available below 10 feet of water.

There are also difficulties with dredging. It maybe hard to find places to dispose of the dredgedmaterial. If the material is dumped in adjacentwetlands, the lake�s natural buffer zone is harm-ed. Dredging disrupts lake habitats. Where largeaquatic plants have been removed, the nutrientsthey once used may now be available for algaegrowth. The algae problem may be harder to treatthan the original weed problem.

Perhaps most important, dredging can be pro-hibitively expensive. Costs vary up from $1.50per cubic yard, depending on site conditions.Dredging 10 feet of sediment from a 16 acre lakecan cost a quarter million dollars or more.

Since 1982, dredging has been considered a lowpriority for state cost sharing.

Nutrient inactivation is another possibleway to limit lake fertility by treating (inactivating)nutrients with chemicals. Alum has been added tolakes to settle out phosphates. This method wasfirst tested in the United States in May 1970 in

eastern Wisconsin. Alum is now used in severalstates. Short-term results of the alum treatmentare encouraging: less lake nutrients, less algaegrowth, improved oxygen conditions and no ap-parent ecological harm. But alum treatment is stillin the experimental stage.

H a r v e s t i n g rough f ish (nett ing carp)removes nutrients, reduces turbidity, and im-proves spawning conditions for game fish, butmay also permit aquatic vegetation to flourish.

Mechanically harvesting weeds keeps surfacewater open for navigation and recreation. It alsoimproves the appearance of the lake. If cut weedsare removed from the lake, the rate of organicsedimentation is reduced.

However, in eutrophic lakes, only relatively smallamounts of nutrients are removed by mechanicalharvesting and it is primarily a cosmetic improve-ment, like mowing a lawn. Some communitieshave been harvesting for years.

Chemical Control Harvesting algae fromlakes is largely experimental. Chemicaltreatments are the only means to control severenuisances that interfere with recreation. Thetreatment does not remove nutrients from thelake, and repeated treatments may be necessaryin the same season. Additionally, there is concernabout the unknown effects of these chemicals inlakes.

Aeration Oxygen depletion and deterioratingfisheries are a common consequence ofeutrophication. Mechanical aeration can be usedto increase the volume of oxygenated water and tohelp prevent winter fish kills. It can also help sus-tain high quality fisheries in summer and winter.

Drawdown In an impoundment, weeds cansometimes be controlled by lowering the waterlevel and exposing them to drying or freezing. Ex-posing the littoral zone may also facilitate dredg-ing or result in shrinkage of soft muck, thisdeepening the lake without expensive dredging.It may also cause slumping of the shoreline.

Dilution Lake flushing may aid lake restora-tion. By adding low-nutrient water, the nutrientcontent in lakes may be reduced below levelsnecessary for nuisance growths. This techniquerequires large volumes of flush water, and doesnot eliminate phosphorus from the sediments.

Blanketing In limited areas around docks,plastic sheeting and sand blankets have been us-ed to seal off lake bottom sediments, reducing thetransfer of nutrients to the water and hamperingaquatic plants from rooting.

Private Actions by LakeProperty Owners

The following checklist is adapted from aphamplet developed by a lake association to pro-tect its members� recreational experiences aslake property owners:

Siting the House

Information on species

recommended for vegata-

tion is available in Michigan

State Cooperative Extension

Bulletin E1117 or from your

local University Extension

office.

If in doubt about cutting a tree or clearingunderstory, wait. Make sure your builder andexcavator know which trees you want to save.Fence off an area to protect the roots from ex-cavating, filling and heavy equipment�theroots often extend beyond the branches.Avoid putting a road or wide path down to thelake. Curve any path you do construct.Make the exterior finish of your house har-monious with the lake and woods. Avoid astain or paint that is too light. Use darkshingles.

Don�t let your house intrude upon the lake.Keep a belt of natural vegetation betweenhouse and lake.

Any filling, dredging oralteration of the shoreline

requires a permit from theWisconsin Department of

Natural Resources.

Altering the Waterfront

Be wary of dumping sand on the waterfront.Such activities often blot out natural featuresof your shoreline, become an eyesore, andharm fish, aquatic insects and frogs.Make waterfront equipment such as docksand boat houses as unobtrusive as possible.Avoid permanent structures that requireshoreline alterations, tree clearing and filling.Remember that a steadily burning or brightlight on your dock destroys the beauty of thenight for others.

Yard Care

Consider whether a lawn is needed in a lakesetting-mowing takes time and is noisy.Minimize the use of pesticides and fertilizers.Don�t burn leaves on a slope from which theash (fertilizer) can wash into the lake.If natural vegetation has been damaged, planta vegetative �buffer.�

Waste Disposal

Be sure that the required percolation testshave been made and are satisfactory. (A cer-tified soil tester must conduct the tests.) Placethe septic tank drain field as far from the lakeas possible. (County codes require at least 50feet between the lake and the end of the drainfield.)Understand the appropriate regulations andtake a personal interest. Don�t leave the ar-rangements entirely to your contractors.

If a conventional septic system is unsuited foryour lot, you may have to install a holding tankor an approved alternative such as a moundsystem. If these alternatives are too expen-sive, don�t buy the lot.Use nonphosphate detergents.Conserve water to avoid stressing your septicsystem:l Avoid running laundry for a few itemsl Space out laundry loadsl Use water-saving showers and toilets.Avoid garbage disposals.Keep solvents, plastics and paper diapers outof the system.Have your septic tank pumped at least everythree years.

Group Actions

Lake property owners are responsible for manylake problems. These riparian property ownerscan prevent or solve some problems by individualactions. However, most problems require anorganized approach. At the local level, the follow-ing types of organizations are involved: voluntarylake associations, community service clubs,mandatory lake associations, town sanitarydistricts and lake management districts.

Voluntary Lake Associations ln-terested property owners have formed severalhundred lake associations in Wisconsin.Membership is voluntary. Dues range from$2-$25 per family per year.

A voluntary association is appropriate if the solu-tions to problems do not require large amounts ofmoney or statutory authority. A voluntary associa-tion can achieve many worthwhile objectives. Itcan foster community spirit and lobby publicagencies to take direct management actions.

A voluntary lake property owners association canbe organized as a nonstock, nonprofit corporationunder Wisconsin Statutes.

Community Service Clubs Chambersof Commerce, Lions Clubs, the Jaycees, andother groups often recognize the value of a lake totheir communities. They might organize avolunteer effort to build a swimming beach orclean up debris. They might urge the city councilor Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources(DNR) to take certain actions. They mayspearhead a campaign to form a lake manage-ment district.

Mandatory Lake Associations Amandatory association is established by a lakedeveloper through recorded deed covenants. Thecovenants require each lot buyer to be a member

of the association and pay dues. Since mandatoryassociations often own and operate commonfacilities such as private beaches, club housesand golf courses. the dues are substantiallyhigher than those of voluntary associations.

Since most lakes in Wisconsin were developedwithout the necessary covenants, this type oforganization is limited to a few, mostly recent,lake developments.

Town Sanitary District The purpose of asanitary district is to allow property owners inheavily developed, but unincorporated, areas toform a special purpose unit of government to pro-vide some or all of the following:l public sewerl public waterl garbage removal

l storm water drainagel treatment of aquatic nuisancesl septic tank inspection.

In the past. voluntary lake associations oftenhelped organize sanitary districts to take advan-tage of the legal and financial strengths ofsanitary districts. The legal basis for townsanitary districts is found in Sections 60.77-60.78of the Wisconsin St. They have the abilityto raise funds through taxation.In recent years, town sanitary districts have notbeen formed to manage lakes because a more ap-propriate mechanism is available-the lakemanagement district. Some sanitary districtshave merged with or been converted to lakemanagement districts.

LAKE MANAGEMENT NEEDS AND ORGANIZATION ABILITYPercent1 Lake Management Activities Organizational Structures2

81 Stocking fish * * * *71 Enforcing building codes

66 Contacting officials about property tax * * ** * *

66 Inspecting private septic tanks * * * * * *64

63

Monitoring sources of pollution * * * *Pumping and servicing septic tanks * * * *

57 Patrolling for vandalism

53 Stabilizing water levels* * *

* * * * *47 Regulating snowmobiles * * *42 Planning development * * * *40 Patrolling for water safety

37 Chemically treating weeds or algae* *

* ** *

* * *

36 Cutting lake weeds * * *35 Collecting garbage and trash

34 Stopping shoreline erosion* * ** * * *

30 Sponsoring beautification projects ** *19 Dredging * *15 Providing public water * * *

9 Providing lifeguard service * * * *1 Percent who feel this activity is needed on their lake, based on a survey of northern and central Wisconsin lake property owners.The activity may or may not be presently performed on the lake. Some concerns deal directly with water quality; others relate tothe lakeshore community more generally.

2The group that is suggested to be most likely to deal with a concern or carry out the activity is shown with a double asterisk (**).Other groups that may be able to accomplish the task under certain conditions are shown with a single asterisk (*).

Lake ManagementDistrictsIn 1974, following six years of demonstrationwork, the Wisconsin Legislature enacted theWisconsin Lake Management Law. Chapter 33,Wisconsin Statutes, authorizes a joint state-localpartnership that permits local lake propertyowners to organize a lake district to protect or im-prove a lake. Such local efforts are supported bytechnical and financial assistance from the DNRwith educational assistance from UW-Extension.

Between 1974 and 1982, more than 130 Wiscon-sin communities organized lake districts.

W h y A r e L a k e D i s t r i c t s N e e d e d ?Local property owners form lake districts for twomajor reasons:

(1) They need a strong local organization with in-terest in the lake, with legal authority to assumemanagement responsibility for the lake, and withpower to assess costs according to benefitsreceived. People working through the earliertypes of lake organizations have done someworthwhile things. But in many cases they havebeen frustrated in their efforts because theorganizational structure available at the local levelwas not well suited for lake management. Volun-tary associations do not have sufficient legal andfiscal authority to undertake comprehensive lakemanagement. Mandatory associations can beformed only before development occurs andtherefore this alternative is not available to mostlake communities. Sanitary districts have beenbent to serve lake management needs but theylack the scope necessary to do the job.

(2) They need technical and financial assistance.Solving lake problems is complicated and re-quires more than dedicated efforts and good will.Local people want and need technical assistancefrom lake managers.

Both property owners and general public usersbenefit from the lake, and both groups should beasked to pay part of the costs of protecting andmanaging it.

A lake may not need a lake district if the peoplearound the lake are happy with their presentsituation and are confident it will not change. Inmany situations a voluntary association may beadequate. The lake may be sufficiently protectedby the characteristics of the watershed and pre-sent patterns of land use.

But lake property owners may want to organize adistrict to prevent problems from arising ratherthan face expensive corrective action later. Forexample, a district may want to buy nearbywetlands to protect the lake. If a district protects awetland, wetland functions will continue and thedensity of shoreland development will be limitedby preserving a part of the shoreline in its naturalstate.

Formation Public inland lake protection andrehabilitation districts are initiated at the locallevel, often by a voluntary lake property ownersassociation or service club. The initiators mustdecide on the appropriate boundaries. While thisdecision is a purely local one, the followingguidelines may be helpful:

1) Include all riparian property since all propertyon the lake will be benefited by a better lake.

2) Include property which isn�t on the lake but islake-oriented (campground, mobile home park,subdivision).

3) Include as much of the watershed as islogistically and politically feasible.

For details on formation oroperation of a lake district,see the latest edition of "AGuide to Wisconsin LakeManagement Law,�available from DNR andUW-Extension offices.

Once proposed boundaries have been drawn, theorganizers must obtain the signatures of at least51 percent of the persons owning real estate orthe owners of at least 51 percent of the landwithin the boundaries. The petition is presentedto the town board or county board which holds ahearing after notifying all landowners in the pro-posed district. Following the hearing, the boarddecides whether to create the district.

If a lake is located entirely within a village or city.the governing body of that municipality can createa lake district without a petition. The district inthis case is created by a resolution.

Powers As a unit of government, a lakedistrict can make contracts, hold real estate anddisburse money. Its lake management powers in-clude but are not limited to the following:

1) studying causes of lake problems,2) treating aquatic weeds,3) treating algae,4) treating swimmer�s itch,5) aerating the lake,6) diverting, removing or inactivating nutrients,7) controlling erosion,8) dredging,9) treating bottom sediments,

10) constructing and operating water levelcontrol structures.

Some of these activities require permits from theDepartment of Natural Resources, the state part-ner in lake management.

The district does not have regulatory powers oneither the land or the water but may ask counties,towns, cities and villages to enact needed or-dinances. The district can take any othermeasures necessary to improve and protectpublic inland lakes.

A lake district may seek sanitary powers from thetown board and, if approved, may provide one ormore of the services of town sanitary districts,such as public sewer, public water, garbageremoval. regulation of septic tanks and stormwater drainage.

Operation The major decisions of a lakedistrict are made by residents and propertyowners voting at the annual meeting. The annualbudget and all individual projects costing thedistrict over $5,000 must face a vote. By approv-ing a budget, the annual meeting also selects amill levy tax (not to exceed 2.5 mills), a specialcharge, or a special assessment to providebudget dollars.

Between annual meetings, the district is govern-ed by a board of commissioners which usuallyconsits of:l three property owners or residents within the

districts, elected at the annual meeting,l a county board member who is also a member

of the county land conservation committee,l a member of the governing body of the town,

village or city having the highest valuationwithin the district.

Where the entire lake is within one municipality,the commission may consist of the town board,village board or city council.

The lake district operates under a set of bylawswhich are adopted by the district to establish pro-cedures for the annual meeting and duties ofcommissioners.

A Typical Sequence ofAction in a LakeshoreCommunityStep 1. Organize a Formal Groupl Stimulate discussion by concerned property

owners.l Hold community meetings to discuss creation

of a formal group. You could invite your countyExtension agent, DNR lake management coor-dinator, county conservationist, or other pro-fessionals.

l Appoint an ad hoc committee to recommendthe type of organization.

l Organize an educational meeting to explainprocedures for formation of a voluntary lakeassociation or lake district. A lake manage-ment professional or experienced citizen fromanother lakeshore community should beinvited.

l Create a formal association or district.

Step 2. Clarify Lake Use Goalsl Use surveys, discussions at annual meetings,

or both to determine the preferences (scenicbeauty, fishing, swimming, boating, skiing,waterfowl habitat) of residents and propertyowners.

l Determine the physical ability of the lake toaccommodate various uses by gathering ex-isting information on the lake and asking aprofessional (DNR, UW, or private consul-tant) to help interpret the information. YourDNR lake management coordinator cangive you advice on the extent of additionalstudies that may be needed.

l Select goals for future lake use that areconsistent with the lake�s capability and thecommunity�s preferences.

Step 6 Monitor Water Qualityfor Long-Term Changes

• Select tests

Step 3. Adopt a Plan of Actionl Chart alternative management techniques

with professional assistance from the DNRand others. For each alternative, list:�strengths and weaknesses�cos t�data needs.

l Select studies and management activities.l Solicit comments on proposed activities.l Set realistic objectives, such as:

�tons of weeds harvested�acres of easements purchased for water-

shed protection�passage of zoning ordinance�memorandum of agreement with county

Land Conservation Committee�water level maintained within 3 inches of

ordinary high water level�miles of streambank fenced�dissolved oxygen maintained at 5 parts

per million�assistant county sanitarian hired to im-

prove enforcement of septic systemregulations.

l Set realistic timetable for each phase.l Indicate the committee or officer responsi-

ble for implementation of each part of theplan.

l Present the plan proposed by the board tothe organization�s members with opportuni-ty for review and discussion.

l Ask for a formal vote on the plan and a cor-responding budget.

Step 4. lmplement Projectsto Achieve Goals

l Present your plan to local and state officialsand organizations whose assistance you willneed.

l File applications for permits and financialassistance as needed.

l Purchase materials and services fromprivate contractors.

l Arrange for local financing (tax, specialassessment, dues, fund raisers, gifts).

l Make recommendations to local municipalboards and county board.

l Audit project expenses.

Step 5. Evaluate the Extent towhich Objectives wereAttained

l Present progress reports at your annualmeeting each year.

l Update your plan at least every 5 years toaddress new problems and changing con-ditions.

�secchi disc to measure water clarity forpresence of algae

�lake level to document seasonal changes inwater level

�water chemistry to determine the amount ofplant nutrients and other chemicals in thewater

�dissolved oxygen to monitor susceptibility offish to winterkill.

l Make commitment to continue for at least 10years.

l Maintain records.

Sample outline for awritten lake managementplan:

I. Lake Management GoalsII. Lake Description

A. Basic physical dataB. UsesC. ProblemsD. Previous or current management

activitiesIII. Management Alternatives Chosen

(Reasons why other alternatives were con-sidered less likely to achieve the goals)

IV. Implementation StrategyA. Specific management activities and

results expected from eachB. Project financingC. Target timetableD. Organization of management team and

delegation of specific responsibilitiesV. Evaluation of Management Activities

VI. Long-term Monitoring

With a purpose in mind, your communitycan examine the alternatives in terms of short-term and long-term benefits and costs. Sometechniques provide cosmetic relief�they keepthe lake usable but do not alter its long-termstatus. They must be repeated every year or atleast periodically. While they offer little hope for apermanent solution, they may be affordable andmanageable. For some communities, long-termsolutions may not be technically, politically orfinancially feasible.

Other communities will be able to consider long-term solutions. The initial cost may be high, butonce the task is accomplished, the continuingcost may be negligible.

It is attractive to consider a big one-shot projectafter which there will be no need to ever worryabout the lake again. However, such situationsrarely exist. A big project may provide generalprotection for a long time, but typically, equip-ment or structures or zoning controls will have tobe monitored and maintained. Some level of con-tinued involvement, investigation and commit-ment will be essential to protect the lake.

The discussions in this section focus on the costsof that involvement.

Local Financing Voluntary associationsand some lake districts raise funds by holdingraffles, fisherees, bake sales, auctions, streetdances and by asking for contributions.

In addition to these traditional sources, lakedistricts have taxing power. Most districts usethese powers at least periodically. The varioustypes of taxing authority are:

LOCAL REVENUE SOURCES FOR LAKEDISTRICTS1. Informal, voluntary contributions

example: donation of time to take watersamples

2. General property taxexample: annual maintenance costs of dam

3. Special chargesexample: weed cutting service

4. Special assessmentexample: major dredging project

5. Temporary borrowingexample: emergency repair of equipment

State and Federal Aid Living on or neara lake, you derive special benefits from the lakeand from efforts to manage the lake. You derivemore benefits than an average citizen. Therefore,you should bear special responsibility to maintainthe lake. The taxing powers listed previously aredesigned to collect revenue from all those proper-ty owners who derive special benefit.

However, other citizens use the public accessand also benefit from a clean lake. These peopleshould help pay for lake management. Because ofthe public benefit to people who live outside thedistrict, the state and federal government haveprovided cost sharing for most major lake pro-jects.

Before 1983, most lake districts used state costsharing for the study phase.

Major improvement projects have often been costshared by more than one DNR program (such asthe inland lakes and Wisconsin Fund non-pointsource pollution program) and more than onefederal program (such as Clean Lakes in the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency and AgriculturalStabilization and Conservation Service in the U.S.Department of Agriculture). Major state andfederal grants were available for early implemen-tation projects. However, the local lake districthad an obligation to contribute at least part of thefunds or to meet its obligation by contributinglabor or material to the task.

The availability of funds and rates of costs sharinghave changed in the past and may change in the

future. The federal government has not been con-sistent in its support of clean lakes. State cost-sharing rates may be lower for certain projects.For instance, manure storage facilities help thefarmer with his operation; a lower cost-share rateis justified when building such facilities on privateland.

State funds must be reappropriated by eachlegislature. During difficult economic times, nofunds may be available.

Administrative Costs Lake manage-ment usually involves permits and grants. To ob-tain both, someone must understand ad-ministrative codes of state and federal agencies.After a grant is awarded, records must be keptand reports filed.

Assistance is usually available in the courthousefrom UW-Extension, the land and soil conserva-tion office, the county planning and zoningdepartment, or DNR. However, some local citizenmust be willing to take the time to seek help, at-tend workshops and keep the books in order.

Many projects will also require personnelmanagement skills. Someone must supervise theweed-harvesting crew or monitor the progress ofthe dredge. In planning a large project, it is ad-visable to hire a project manager who takes policydirection from the commission, but has fullauthority to direct the work and handle basic ad-ministrative responsibilities.

S o c i a l a n d E n v i r o n m e n t a l C o s t sAs indicated, costs will vary depending on severi-ty of the problem, size of the lake and the techni-ques used.

Some lake projects are bitterly debated. Evenafter a decision is made, bad feelings may lingerin the community. Some people may feel thedecision-making process was not conducted pro-perly. In extreme cases, lawsuits may result.

These costs can be minimized by making sure allmembers of the community have an opportunity tolearn and to participate in project decisions. Com-missioners can set the tone of meetings by mak-ing it clear that they will follow the statutes andby-laws and that they are sincerely interested ineveryone�s input.

Some proposals for lake management may helpthe lake in the short run, but damage anotherresource, such as disposing of dredge spoils inwetlands. Attempts to evade state and federalregulations on these matters are likely to delay thelake project and divide the community.

Maintaining the Organization E v e r yorganization must try to reach its goals and main-tain a viable group. No magical formula exists formaking an organization run smoothly and effi-ciently. Two main components, however, areleadership and member participation.

Leadership needs may differ for an organizationat various times. When an organization is youngand struggling for identity and direction, it needsan energetic leader who can inspire members and

work relentlessly to accomplish group goals.Later, leadership duties require a diplomat whomaintains the smooth internal operation of theorganization. Both types of leaders are alwaysneeded, but the role of the diplomatic leaderbecomes more important as the organizationmatures.

Member participation is the foundation of anyorganization. Participation is often difficult to ob-tain and keep. As the size of the group increases,the individual is less able to see how his or herparticipation makes a difference in the outcome.If an individual benefits from group activitieswithout becoming a member, then he or she haslittle incentive to participate. In many types oflake protection activities, all property ownersbenefit whether they incur costs of participationor not. That is why voluntary organizations seemto work best for small groups who engage insocial and political activities but do not undertakemajor lake management activities.

In addition to these general considerations thefollowing suggestions may help group leadersdeal with the participation problem:

Decide on the degree and kind of member par-ticipation that is necessary to meet organiza-tion goals. Don�t ask people to become activelyinvolved unless there is a specific role they canplay.Emphasize the positive effects of par-ticipating�show the member how his par-ticipation will make a difference in reachingcommon goals.Point out certain social advantages in member-ship such as the sense of belonging. The lakeorganization must show what it has to offer andhow it will help a member.Maintain a sense of ongoing activity by com-municating with members on a regular basis.Facilitate two-way communication throughquestionnaires and newsletters. Some lakeorganizations have newsletters that reportorganization activities. Newsletters may alsopublish historical sketches of the area or shortexcerpts from publications on lakes. A ques-tionnaire can be sent out with the newsletterasking members their views on importantissues facing the organization.Organize a lake tour for members, elected of-ficials and media people to view problems andsolutions firsthand. Have a knowledgeableperson at each stop to describe the situationand answer questions.When the group achieves success or an in-dividual makes a major contribution, be sure toshow appreciation with press coverage, anaward or other means of recognition.

Benefits of lake management differ from com-munity to community. Some benefits may spreadacross more than one generation. For thesereasons, the determination of benefits expectedor received from a lake project cannot becalculated with one neat number. While expertscan help estimate certain benefits, the value ofmany benefits can only be determined by com-munity preferences.

The information reported in this section was takenfrom several surveys and a major research projectsponsored by the U.S. Environmental ProtectionAgency.

Natural Beauty and the Quality ofLife The visual component (esthetics) is a majorpart of the quality of life for lake property ownersand the whole community. Lakes are used morefrequently and by more people for their naturalbeauty than for any other purpose.

Lake property owners feel �solitude and beauty�is the most important pleasure derived from own-ing lake property. Outdoor recreation is most im-portant to about one-fifth. Social reasons such ascompanionship and prestige account for most ofthe other motivations.

Lake property owners themselves can be the ma-jor threat to the natural beauty of the lake whenthey clear shoreline to build homes, docks, andboathouses. However, many lake managementprojects have the potential of enhancing ordiminishing the visual component. The absenceof unsightly structures, mud flats, algae orfloating debris improves the view for everyone.

Two out of tree Wiscon-

sinites use lakes each year.

About five percent ownshoreline property. An ad-

ditional 60 percent enjoy

lakes via public access

points, parks and road-

ways.

Fishing, Swimming, Boating Fishingis the most popular water sport; 93 percent oflake property owners and 44 percent of thegeneral public participate annually. Improvedfishing is most frequently the primary objective oflake management efforts. Swimming and boatingare nearly as popular and also benefit from lakemanagement. However, these sports are notcompletely compatible. For instance, swimmersand boaters would like a �weed-free� lake, whilefishermen know that a modest amount of vegeta-tion is necessary for fish.

Water Quality and PropertyValues While natural beauty, quality of life andsimilar impacts are difficult to evaluate, theirvalue can be estimated through their impact onproperty values.

There are economic techniques to calculate howimportant a lake is to property values and the localtax base. The techniques are based on theassumption that people are willing to pay more forland if it is close to the lake�at least as long asthe lake is perceived as an asset, and that thisvalue will be capitalized in the property value.

Such an analysis was conducted for the first pro-ject completed under the Wisconsin LakeManagement Program. The City of Waupacaorganized a lake district in 1974. In 1976, itreceived a grant of about $200,000 from thefederal government and about $100,000 from thestate. By placing a mill levy of 0.9 mills on theproperty in the district for two years, the $80,000local share was collected. The project consisted

of diverting storm sewers from Mirror andShadow Lakes; adding alum to inactivate thephosphorus already in the lakes; and aeratingMirror Lake, which does not �turn over� with theseasons because it is deep and sheltered from thewind.

Total project costs were approximately $400,000.The impact of water quality changes on propertyvalues expected over 34 years was calculated.

This value was determined by estimating the pro-perty values if the lakes had continued todeteriorate and comparing them to the estimatedproperty values with the restoration project.Because a dollar of benefit in the year 2010 isworth a lot less than a dollar in 1977 when theproject was completed, the benefits were dis-counted back to 1977. Obviously, the choice ofthe proper discount rate is critical in estimatingbenefits in this fashion. If an interest rate of sevenpercent is applied, the benefits total over$1,000,000. If an interest rate of 15 percent isapplied, the present value of benefits is worthless, about $800,000.

Regardless of choice of discount rate, theanalysis would suggest the $400,000 investmentwas justified. For example, the benefit/cost ratiowith seven percent interest is:

And the benefit/cost ratio with 15 percent in-terest is:

In other words, the benefits, as measured by theestimated change in property values, are two ortwo and one-half times the amount of money in-vested.

Community Image Many communitieswere built around a lake or millpond. The visualquality of these communities is highly dependenton the sparkle of the water body and thelakeshore. The lake can be the center jewel of thelandscape or it can be an open sore. How yourcommunity manages its water resource will leavea big impression on visitors.

The willingness of your community to manage thelake will affect more than visitors. It also has a bigimpact on the attitude of the citizens of your com-munity. If your community doesn�t care about itspublic resources, why should citizens worryabout their neighborhoods and homes. Just as

the sparkle of one part of the community reflectsthe shine of other parts, the tarnishing of the lakeresource diminishes other parts of the communityas well.

Community pride or indifference is infectious. Ahealthy lake contributes to the image of a com-munity and to its self-image. A neglected lake hasthe opposite effect.

K n o w l e d g e , E x p e r i e n c e a n d C o n -fidence The benefits discussed previously arerelated to water quality. If the project enhancesthe quality of the lake, benefits will follow.

A second set of benefits is not related to thephysical status of the lake. These benefits resultfrom the process of undertaking a communityproject.

Citizens who participate in a lake project learn:l the ecology of their lakel the management potential of their lakel about several government agenciesl about coping with bureaucracyl leadership and organizational skills.

The community benefits when its citizens havesuch knowledge and experience. They will havemore confidence in trying to solve other com-munity problems. They will know people ingovernment agencies and some of the ways to cutthrough red tape.

The community also benefits from the newleaders that surface from the project. The newleaders may seek public office or provide initiativein other ways.

These benefits were particularly evident at WhiteClay Lake in Shawano County. Farmers in thewatershed organized a lake district through theirtown board. With help from UW-Extension, theSoil Conservation Service, the AgriculturalStabilization and Conservation Service and otheragencies, the district applied for funds to reduceagricultural run-off from barnyards. The cost ofthese improvements was approximately$200,000. Some additional work was carried outin the watershed to reduce erosion.

White Clay Lake District residents were active increating and operating the district. Mostresidents attended lake district meetings. Theyunderstood the cost-share rates they were receiv-ing from the state and federal government. Whentested on their understanding of lake manage-ment, they scored much higher than a randomsample of Wisconsin adults.

Forming a lake district in a rural area was a majorcommunity event. It marked the first time thatarea residents had worked as a group and iden-tified themselves as a group. The lake districtchairman was later elected to the town board andgiven an award by the Wisconsin Association ofSoil and Water Conservation Districts. Numerousgroups and the media toured the project. Thecommunity was proud.

Participation in a lake district is practice in self-governance. Lake districts are local people learn-ing, organizing, deciding and carrying out ascheme to manage their lakes. Practice indemocracy, while often frustrating, is a signifi-cant benefit.

For More Information and Assistance

People andPamphlets

Books

Personal consultation, �A Guide to Wisconsin�s LakeManagement Law,� �Lake Tides� (newsletter), �lnstruc-tions for Self Help Monitoring,� �Lakeshore PropertyOwners� Information File Folders,� and other materials canbe obtained from:

County UW-Extension offices

District HeadquartersWisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Richard WedepohlBureau of Water Resources ManagementWisconsin Department of Natural ResourcesP.O. Box 7921Madison, Wisconsin 53707

Lowell KlessigCooperative Extension ServiceCollege of Natural ResourcesUniversity of WisconsinStevens Point, Wisconsin 54481

Ecology of Inland Waters and Estuaries. 1961. Reid;Rheinhold Publishing Corp., New York, NY.

Fundamentals of Limnology. 1963. (3rd ed.) Rutner;University of Toronto Press.

Lake Restoration. 1978. U.S. Environmental ProtectionAgency, Office of Water Planning and Standards,Washington, DC.

Limnology. 1975. Wetzel; W.B. Sanders Co.,Philadelphia. PA.

Our Nation�s Lakes. 1980. U.S. Environmental ProtectionAgency, Office of Water Planning and Standards,Washington, DC.

Restoration of Lakes and Inland Waters. 1980. U.S. En-vironmental Protection Agency, Office of Water Planningand Standards, Washington, DC.

A Riparian�s Guide for Self-Help Inland Lake Water QualityManagement. 1979. Gibson; Michigan State Univ.Cooperative Extension Bulletin E1117, East Lansing Ml.

Socio-Economic Impact of Lake Improvement Projectsand Lake Management Guidelines 1982. Bouwes andKlessig; University of Wisconsin-Madison, Center forResource Policy Studies #17.

Research in this report was conducted underGrant #R804802-01-2 from the U.S. Environmen-tal Protection Agency and earlier grants from theUpper Great Lakes Regional Commission. Con-clusions are those of the authors and do notnecessarily represent the position of the sponsor-ing agencies.

L.L. Klessig is professor of resource management, College of NaturalResources, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and a lake managementspecialist, University of Wisconsin-Extension.

N.W Bouwes is a former agricultural economist with the Natural ResourcesEconomics Division, Economic Research Service, U.S. D.A., and assistantprofessor of agricultural economics, University of Wisconsin-Madison.

D.A. Yaggen is professor of agricultural economics, College of Agriculturaland Life Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a land use planningspecialist, University of Wisconsin-Extension.

The authors are grateful to the following reviewers: B. Baker, N. Christiansen,R. Dunst, G. Gibson, D. Knauer, S. Smith, M. Vollbrecht, R. Wedepohl, andO. Williams.

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts ofMay 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S.Department of Agriculture, University of Wisconsin- Extension,Cooperative Extension. University of Wisconsin-Extensionprovides equal opportunities in employment and programming,including Title IX and ADA requirements. If you need thisinformation in an alternative format, contact the UWEXAffirmative Action Office or Extension Publications at(608)262-2655.

This publication is available from your Wisconsin county This publicafion was produced in cooperation with the Wisconsin Depart-

Extension office or from Extension Publications, Rm. 245, ment of Natural Resources,

30 N. Murray St., Madison, WI 53715, (608)262-3346.

G3216 The Lake in Our Community RP-02-94-4M-300-S