What Happens Under the Ice in Winter?
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?
Trego Lake District Pursues Strategic Planning
With Xcel Energy’s dam relicensing in progress, Trego Lake District leaders realized it was an opportunity for a long-term strategic plan to maintain and improve the waterway and address broad interests. Many partners are working together on the planning to protect the Trego Flowage, which is part of the Wild and Scenic Namekagon River. Read…
Hooray for Aquatic Plants!
By Kathy Bartilson, Washburn County Lakes & Rivers Association; photo by Chris Hagen. A “weed” is often defined as a plant that’s growing where it isn’t wanted. When it comes to water plants, it is doubtful any ducks, turtles, frogs, toads, fish, or aquatic insects would consider the native plants in our lakes, rivers and…
Regulating Enhanced Wakes
The need for appropriate regulation of enhanced wakes has generated extensive activity and debate around Wisconsin the last couple years. The goal is to reduce environmental and safety impacts without infringing unnecessarily on the rights of those who enjoy wake sports. Meanwhile, wake boats are becoming more powerful and more common. A coalition of environmental…
WCLRA: 25 Years of Partnerships to Protect Local Waters
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…
New WCLRA Booklet: “Washburn County Waters: Let’s Keep them Healthy”
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…
Things to Know Before You Go Boating
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…
County Watercraft Decontamination Ordinances
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,…
Tribute to John Haack
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.
Best Shoreland Practices for Healthy Lakes & Rivers
Over the winter, many people will consider ways to improve their waterfront properties. Grants are available for some projects that protect the water.