John Meyer, a former executive from the Twin Cities, had moved to the Spooner area, where he shared his leadership skills by advocating for the first Lake Leaders Conference. He recognized the need for a countywide organization to coordinate water protection and advocacy efforts. The goal was to bring together individuals from lakes that didn’t…
The WCLRA Communication Committee is pleased to announce availability of a booklet covering most of the current topics and threats related to our lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands. This booklet is an updated version of a larger-format publication our group produced in 2016 for some special educational events held that summer. The new version includes…
One of the greatest pleasures of owning or renting lakeshore or riverfront property is the ability to launch a boat or canoe to be out on the water. Indeed, use of waters is a public right available to everyone. This right is noted in the Wisconsin constitution, “Wisconsin lakes and rivers are public resources, owned…
In January 2022, Sawyer County passed a watercraft decontamination ordinance similar to the one we have in Washburn County. There are now a total of six counties in northwest Wisconsin (Washburn, Burnett, Polk, Bayfield, Barron and Sawyer) with ordinances requiring boaters to use decontamination stations at landings where they exist. Burnett and Washburn Counties were the first,…
John Haack, who passed away in Nov. 2021, was instrumental in many of WCLRA’s successes and highly respected as a Natural Resources Educator across Wisconsin.
Over the winter, many people will consider ways to improve their waterfront properties. Grants are available for some projects that protect the water.
The 2021 Northwest Wisconsin Lakes Conference is online June 18 featuring a keynote address on Climate Change impacts plus twelve sessions on lake-related topics.
How does stream life survive in cold weather and low water temperatures? And what happens on lakes and rivers with complete ice cover at the water surface?
Decomposing leaves give off nutrients which can be great for lawns and gardens. It’s not good when extra phosphorous ends up in waterbodies.
Throughout the summer of 2020, Washburn County’s lake residents were concerned about effects of high water. Simple measures can reduce erosion and protect water quality.