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Strategic Action Plan 2012
State of the Lakes Report
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Lake Mendota Officially Frozen Over! Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
1-15-13
Contact: James Tye, Vice President
Clean Lakes Alliance, of Dane County
james@cleanlakesalliance.com
Office: (608) 255-1000, Mobile: (608) 628-6655
Lake Mendota officially frozen
on January 14th
Madison man wins Mendota Freeze Contest grand prize
MADISON, WI – The Clean Lakes Alliance (CLA), in an effort to bring awareness about our lakes being “frozen assets,” has partnered with the Wisconsin State Climatology Office for the Mendota Freeze Contest to guess the date Lake Mendota officially freezes. As of today, the Climatology Office has declared that Lake Mendota officially froze on January 14th, 2013.
James Tye, Vice President of CLA, said, “There are many benefits to the lakes freezing. Less ice cover means greater evaporation, which leads to lower water levels and a possible increase in lake-effect snows. And, of course, there are all sorts of recreational opportunities on our lakes when they’re frozen.”
Lack of ice can reduce winterkill of predatory fishes, which can lead to overkill of their prey, small-bodied fishes that are adapted to frozen lakes. If there is not enough ice cover, photosynthesis continues later in fall and starts earlier in spring, affecting a lake’s metabolic balance on the whole.
Starting December 1st, 2012, anyone could go to mendotafreeze.com to submit a guess for the day Lake Mendota would officially freeze. Over 800 people entered the contest, which is nearly double the participation from last year. The Wisconsin State Climatology Office has been tracking freeze dates for the last 160 years, back to 1853. In 2012, Lake Mendota froze on the same day, January 14th, 2012.
The winner of the grand prize cross-country ski package from Erehwon Mountain Outfitter is Thomas Solheim of Madison. It is a value of $327 and includes one set of cross-country skis, poles, boots, and bindings.
Sandy Webber won two 1-day lift tickets from Tyrol Basin Ski & Snowboard Area, Katerine Najduk and Matthew Ripp won $50 gift cards to Middleton Sports & Fitness, Tommy Purdom won a “Fun in the Snow” toy basket from Learning Express Toys, Gayle Brown won an Airhead snow sled from Fontana Sports Specialties, Tom Haberski won a “Warm You Up” gift basket from Yola’s Cafe & Coffee Shop, Sandy Harding won a “Family 4 Pack” from Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt, and Mike Walsh is the winner of a 4 pack gift card to Gigi’s Cupcakes.
The Mendota Freeze Contest was sponsored by Rayovac and Madison Magazine. The winter-themed prizes were donated by local businesses.
For more information on CLA, visit www.cleanlakesalliance.com.
About the Clean Lakes Alliance
The Clean Lakes Alliance (CLA) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to the improvement and protection of the lakes, streams and wetlands of the Yahara Watershed. Through community support, advocacy and education, CLA is leading the charge to restore and protect the lakes for future generations.
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Press Release => Lake Mendota Officially Frozen PR
Mendota Unfrozen on 1-9-13
Mendota Frozen on 1-14-13
The Yahara Lakes Video Series
A series of videos on the Yahara CLEAN Strategic Action Plan produced by the Clean Lakes Alliance and Studio 88. Premiered at the Yahara Lakes Community Breakfast on 11/9/2012.
Past
The Yahara Lakes Video Series – Past (Part 1) [video]
Present
The Yahara Lakes Video Series – Present (Part 2) [video]
Future
Yahara Lakes Community Breakfast
Scenes from the Yahara Community Breakfast
Many thanks to all of our partners, sponsors, table captains, guests, and donors for supporting the protection and preservation of our cherished waterways by taking part in our Yahara Lakes Community Breakfast on Friday, November 9th at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center. You all showed that you are champions of cleaner lakes. The event was a huge success, thanks to your help, and people around the community were beyond impressed with its content, design, and overall impact.
As local historian David Mollenhoff stressed in his inspired keynote address, we stand at a critical juncture in the history of our lakes. Having brought together a trail-blazing collaboration of government agencies, nonprofits, and businesses — all working together toward a common goal — we now have an unprecedented opportunity to make real and lasting improvements in the health of our lakes and waterways. With your support, our goal of reducing phosphorus loading into the Yahara lakes by 50 percent by the year 2025 can become a reality, along with the dramatic improvements in water quality that are sure to follow.
And now that the vision has been laid out — and the action plan finalized — it’s time for the real work to begin…
Community Breakfast Coverage on NBC15 [video]
Link to the report:
More media coverage of the Community Breakfast and the Clean Lakes Alliance
- Wisconsin State Journal
- Isthmus
- WISC-TV
- Madison Magazine (Jeff Endres and the Dairy Farmers)
Yahara CLEAN Strategic Action Plan for Phosphorus Reduction
The Yahara CLEAN Strategic Action Plan for Phosphorus Reduction was introduced at the Yahara Community Breakfast held on November 9, 2012.
Read the Report:
Media Coverage:
Prioritize Precious Lakes
Wisconsin State Journal – Editorial September 9, 2012
On Sunday, September 9th, the Wisconsin State Journal published an editorial that stressed the importance of the Madison lakes to the area. The editorial begins:
Nearly 3,000 athletes from around the world will plunge into Lake Monona today for the 12th annual Ironman triathlon.
The weather should be nice. And, more important, the water should be relatively clean.
That’s good news for those brave souls who will swim 2.4 miles (then bicycle 112 miles and run a marathon — whew!). Tens of thousands of fans are expected to cheer them on.The event helps highlight how important clean lakes are to the Madison region’s economy, image and quality of life.
You can read the full editorial by downloading the attached reprint below.
You can also read the article on the Wisconsin State Journal’s website.
Posted in Media Coverage
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Tips to Stay Healthy and Protect the Lakes during Summer Fun
Looking forward to watching the music at Aquapalooza while floating in the water with a cool beverage next weekend? Or perhaps you are excited about cruising along in your classic boat on August 4th. However you enjoy the lakes this summer these tips should make your adventure healthier and safer – for you and the lakes!
Protect yourself from the Sun!
Some sunscreens are better than others. Search for your favorite brand at the Environmental Working Group Sunscreen database to make sure its safe and effective. Hats, sunglasses and shade are always a great way to prevent a burn.
Be a Green Boater!
Being a green boater means learning how to enjoy your hobby without damaging the water in which you do it. Read more at Greenboatblog.com and find lots of tips like:
- Pour gasoline carefully and store it securely in a cool dry place.
- Don’t let anything fall into the water unintentionally. Make sure you recycle beverage containers, and dispose of all refuse carefully after boating.
- Limit engine idling as much as possible.
Save a Musician – Hold the Wake!
Musicians, staff, volunteers and other music lovers will all be gathered together near the floating stage at Aquapaloooza – they need you to keep things safe by limiting your wake.
Prevent Plants from Hitch-Hiking!
Learn how you can prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species on your boat and/or trailer to save our lake’s natural resources and recreation. Also, find out how you can get involved by volunteering for The Clean Boats, Clean Waters Program. Read more at http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/invasives/prevention.html
Posted in Events
Tagged Aquapalooza, events, green boater, July 29, summer fun, sunscreen, wake
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Lake Algae: What you don’t see can really hurt you
July 17, 2012 University of Wisconsin Madison News
The strikingly blue algae that afflicted the Madison lakes last week hardly needs a danger sign to warn of its toxicity.
But this stuff could, in the next days or weeks, be followed by blue-green algae that are much more toxic, says Katherine McMahon, an expert on lake ecology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Surprisingly, the more dangerous algae — technically called cyanobacteria — may not produce slimy gooey mats, but still may contain toxins that attack the liver or nervous system.
Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic bacteria that live in colonies. They look like algae, which are floating organisms with a much closer relationship to plants. Toxic cyanobacteria occur in “eutrophic” lakes that suffer overgrowth of plants and other organisms due to high levels of nitrogen and phosphorus caused by runoff of manure and fertilizer.
McMahon, an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, says graduate student Lucas Beversdorf has noticed a transition during June or early July that shows “a switch from cyanobacteria that are not so nasty, to the sudden kickoff of some really nasty ones.”
Read more at the University of Wisconsin
Posted in Uncategorized
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2012: Thermo Fisher at McDaniel Park
Thermo Fisher Helps Clear Long-Awaited Lakeshore Community Bike Path
Take a Stake in the Lakes Volunteers
Nearly 80 employees from the Thermo Fisher site in Madison, Wisconsin participated in the latest Clean Lakes Alliance volunteer event, which involved clearing invasive trees and plants from land that will be developed into a 10-mile community bike path.
After four years of planning, development and community anticipation, work officially started on the Lower Yahara River Trail Bike Path, and Thermo Fisher’s Madison, Wisconsin, employees were on hand to pitch in. On June 5, nearly 80 employees participated in the Take a Stake in the Lakes Days, a volunteer event to support the community’s endeavor clean up local lakes. This project helped improve lakeshore access and provide a healthier lifestyle for area residents, and a safer way to bike.
Thermo Fisher sponsored the Clean Lakes Festival in 2010 and 2011, and now that parent organization Clean Lakes Alliance is partnering with Dane County to enrich the Take a Stake in the Lakes program.
Dane County Arborist Explains How to Properly Remove Invasive Plants
The Thermo Fisher employees divided into five teams, and along with their team captains, picked up litter, removed the overgrown vegetation and invasive species using loppers and band saws, stacked the brush along the trail, and finally, spread wood mulch chips along 300 feet of the trail.
In total, Thermo Fisher contributed 640 volunteer hours to the community project, and also donated $10,000 to help fund it.
When complete, the bike path will span approximately 10 miles from Stoughton through McFarland, and will also connect with the very popular Capital City bike path in Madison.
Significant Results: This extraordinary volunteer effort has improved views from the park to the lake and from the lake into the park, rejuvenated existing native species and seed bank, increased recruitment of seedling swamp white oak trees, a rare and valuable wetland community tree, improved access that will allow Dane County to finalize survey, design and environmental review for this stretch of the Lower Yahara River Trail, improved visibility throughout the park that will deter illegal activity, improved and expanded shore fishing access.
Volunteers cleared invasives on about 2000 feet of shoreline, resulting in a pile of cut buckthorn/honeysuckle that was nearly 500 feet long by 4 feet tall. Dane County will continue to work on chipping and burning the brush that was removed this coming winter.
Posted in Events
Tagged 2012, capitol city bike trail, dane county, mcdaniel park, mcfarland, take stake in the lakes, thermo fisher, volunteer
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2012: Jazz in the Park
The Jazz in the Park Festival on Saturday, June 16 was a resounding success.
The festival was hosted by the Dudgeon Monroe Neighborhood Association and Wingra Boats at Lake Wingra. The event consisted of family friendly activities all day including a 5k race, canoeing and kayaking to clean up garbage in the lakes and live jazz music. Friends of Lake Wingra hosted an interactive education station about the science of the lake.
This year Take a Stake in the Lakes, an event of the Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission in partnership with the Clean Lakes Alliance culminated in a late afternoon reception at Jazz in the Park. Volunteers from the 25 years of Take A Stake in the Lakes were honored as Water Champions. Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission Chair Melissa Malott led the Commission’s annual Waters Champion Recognition ceremony. And Clean Lakes Alliance sponsored a tent for volunteers complete with a delicious cake, snacks and beverages.
Volunteers celebrating the 25th anniversary of Take a Stake in the Lakes
- The volunteer tent hosted by the Clean Lakes Alliance
The Commodore and Heather Allen partnering up to cut the anniversary cake
- Melissa Mallot leading the Commission’s annual Waters Champion Recognition ceremony
Water Champions at Jazz in the Park
Clean Lakes Alliance staff at the volunteer tent
Posted in Events
Tagged dane county, jazz in the park, melissa mallot, office of lakes and watershed, take a stake in the lakes, wingra
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