The Lake Planning Committee has made some progress in the effort to combat milfoil infestation. These accomplishments were made possible by the lake district property owners with the full support of our Board of Commissioners.

·         We have signed a contract with UW Oshkosh to perform Clean Boats- Clean Waters (CBCW) monitoring at the public boat landing. The contract was written for 300 hours of monitoring ,100 hours more than last years. This helps to minimize visiting boaters introducing any additional invasive species to our lakes.

·         We have been awarded a CBCW DNR grant to help offset some of the UW Oshkosh monitoring costs.

·         The committee has also contracted Aquatic Plant Management (APM) to perform two separate manual activities in June and July this year. The first is diver-assisted suction harvesting (DASH) that will be performed in both Lower and Upper. The DASH divers will work the large dense areas for 2 days.  Additionally, they will provide Hand Pulling with 4 divers for 3 days in other areas where the milfoil is scattered. These target areas have been identified by our lake management consultant.

·         During these two activities, Volumeters will be asking for volunteers to kayak and net small fragments that the divers are unable to retrieve. More information about scheduling will be made available when work dates and times are identified by APM- PRELIMINARY MAP click to view. [Check for posted dates on the calendar and on the website!]

·         The lake management consultant company Onterra is on year two of a contract to monitor, advise, and provide reports on the health of our lakes. They work with our Lake Planning Committee to devise a plan that controls the spread of invasive milfoil. They also assist in the grant application process with their years of experience.

·         In 2025, we were awarded a two-year AIS grant from the DNR to help offset some of the Onterra’s consulting costs. Onterra’s consultant has been a great partner in the effort to minimize costs, grant writing success, and moreover controlling the milfoil infestation. 

·         At the last annual meeting, there was a request to provide signage at the public boat launch identifying the difference between Eurasian and Northern milfoil. Northern milfoil is nature in our lakes and not invasive. We received approval from a Vilas County representative to hang signs on the information board. The signs have been made and will be hung in the spring at the public boat ramp. [Also check the Resources section of our website for a document helping identify the varying types]