News

2026 LTL near Olin Park and Lake Monona

A great day for our lakes

What an incredible Loop the Lake! Thank you to everyone who participated, volunteered, donated, sponsored, or supported the event in any way. Community commitment to our lakes helps make this effort possible.

With community-wide support, we can continue investing in lake restoration projects, educational programs, and water quality monitoring efforts throughout the Yahara Watershed.

This year, 1,280 participants from across Greater Madison and beyond joined the Loop the Lake bike ride. Their participation demonstrated a shared commitment to protecting and improving the health of local lakes. We also extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsors and volunteers, whose generosity and dedication made this event possible.

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Lake Wingra aquatic plants

Submerged aquatic plants, often dismissed as “weeds,” are essential to the freshwater ecosystems of lakes and rivers. Known scientifically as macrophytes, aquatic plants absorb nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen which otherwise can fuel algal blooms. They also stabilize lake-bottom sediments, help protect shorelines from wave erosion, and provide critical habitat and food for fish and other wildlife. Because aquatic plants play such a vital role, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regulates and limits their removal to preserve the numerous benefits they bring to our waterways.

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