2023 Events
Spring Meeting
Saturday, May 20 | 8:30 to 9:00 am Pancake breakfast | 9:00 to 10:00am Meeting
Location: Georgetown Lutheran Church | 877 190th Ave, Balsam Lake, WI 54810
View map location of the church.
June is Invasive Species Awareness Month
Clean Boats, Clean Waters
Saturday, June 3 | 10:00 to 11:00 am
Join us at the landing. Help protect our lake this summer!
Location: At the east landing/north end of Blake Lake on Bystrom Lane.
What: We will go over the basics of boat inspections and what is needed to talk to boaters.
Free: Supplies and t-shirts. Refreshments and treats.
Join us: To learn more about the CBCW program. Anyone welcome! Photos taken for local media.
The Clean Boats, Clean Waters (CBCW) watercraft inspection program is an opportunity to take a front line defense against the spread of invasives. With the growing concern over the spread of zebra mussels and Eurasian milfoil to Wisconsin’s lakes, many lake district members are looking for ways to get involved. Volunteers are trained to do easy boater education at the landings. Adults and youth teams talk to boaters on how and where invasive species are most likely to hitch a ride into lakes.
Paid boat inspectors wanted: Job description $12/hour
Friendly, outgoing workers wanted to help educate boaters and conduct free boat checks throughout the summer as part of the Clean Boats, Clean Waters statewide program. Inspectors are at the two Blake Lake boat landings June 1 to Sept. 15 with emphasis over the holiday weeks, 4th of July week and many weekends. Inspectors work to assure that boaters do not accidentally spread Eurasian water-milfoil, zebra mussels, curly leaf pondweed and other aquatic invasive species (AIS). Our district’s DNR grant includes the compensation of 400 hours per season inspecting boats at 2 landings. Hourly pay is $12/hr. Anyone 14-18 years old will need to get a work permit to be paid.
See https://www.jobsforteenshq.com/work-permit/how-to-get-a-work-permit-in-wisconsin/.
The quantity of hours will be assigned per person is on a first come-first served basis. Some basic training is required. Hours will start June 1.
Please contact Peggy at plauritsen@pldg.com or 612-940-2006 if you are interested.
Drain Campaign at the Landings
June 2-4, DNR’s Free Fishing Weekend!
The goal of the Drain Campaign is to increase public understanding of the draining laws in WI and emphasize the “drain all water” prevention step during watercraft inspections. CBCW inspectors share aquatic invasive species (AIS) prevention information with boat landing visitors and offer free towels for fishing!
Great Lakes Regional Landing Blitz
June 30 – July 9
The DNR Landing Blitz encourages extra AIS attention at all landings during the busy July 4th holiday weeks. This year, Wisconsin is aligning dates with the larger Great Lakes Regional Landing Blitz effort, alongside other Great Lakes states and provinces.
“Ask the Expert”
Saturday, June 10 | 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Water runoff issues? Erosion? Tree Issues?—FREE property visits
Do you have questions about water run off water, erosion, trees, conservation, water quality, shoreline, native plantings, rain gardens, etc. on your lake property? Wish you had an expert to take a look? Now is your chance! We will feature expert biologist, Jeremy Williamson, Polk County biologist, for a FREE 30-minute site visit at your property, from 9am to 4pm.
To sign up for a time contact Peggy at 612-940-2006.
Boat Parade
Tuesday, July 4 | 4:00 pm
The boat parade starts at Luke’s at the north end of the lake. Boats will follow in a parade around the entire shoreline.
Annual Meeting
Saturday, August 19 | 8:30 to 9:00 am – Breakfast | 9:00 to 10:30 am – Annual Meeting
Location: Georgetown Lutheran Church, 877 190th Ave, Balsam Lake, WI 54810
We hope you will be joining us at the Annual Meeting to learn all that is going on within the lake district.
Healthy Lakes Conservation Projects Tour
Saturday, August 26 | 1:00 to 4:00 pm
Join a tour of the conservation projects members have been doing to improve water quality on our lake since 2016! Projects include shoreline restoration, rain gardens, and water diversion. There will be up to 6 properties on the tour. A map will be available August 19 at the Annual Meeting.
Learn more about Healthy Lakes Program here at https://healthylakeswi.com/. Family and friends are welcome!
DNR Grant Applications Due
September 15 & November 15
Surface Water Grants
May 1 Establish eligibility for grant funding
September 15 Project pre-application due to DNRSurfaceWaterGrants@Wisconsin.gov
November 15 Final application deadline
More information can be found at https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/aid/surfacewater.html
Calendar questions? Email Peggy or call her at 612-940-2006.