2026 State of the Lakes
Event details
Save the date: Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Time: 7:30 – 8 a.m. coffee and conversation, 8 – 9:30 a.m. continental breakfast and program
Location: The Edgewater (1001 Wisconsin Ave., Madison)
2026 State of the Lakes is SOLD OUT!
We’re incredibly grateful for the overwhelming support and shared commitment to the health of the Yahara lakes. We can’t wait to welcome a full house at The Edgewater next week!
Missed out on tickets? You can still join the waitlist. Email info@cleanlakesalliance.org or call 608-255-1000, and we’ll let you know right away if any seats become available before Wednesday, May 13. Thank you to our sponsors, partners, and this amazing community for making it all possible!
About the event
Please join us for our State of the Lakes, on Wednesday, May 13, 2026! This year, we’re excited to feature the State of the Lakes — an annual health synopsis of Greater Madison’s five Yahara lakes (Mendota, Monona, Wingra, Waubesa, and Kegonsa). Focusing on major drivers and indicators of water quality, the analysis summarizes lake and watershed health factors, trends, and the likely causes of observed conditions.
We will continue the tradition of bringing together our watershed’s premier scientists, business and organizational leaders, heads of government, and officials from the Ho-Chunk Nation to learn more about the lakes (originally known as Teejop) and new opportunities for continued collaboration and progress.
Clean Lakes Alliance and its fellow Renew the Blue Council members will highlight the latest science and Renew the Blue stakeholder guidance that will direct future cleanup actions.
Sponsor a table
Table sponsors receive name recognition on promotional materials, email marketing, and the Clean Lakes Alliance website. A table seats 8 people. Please contact Executive Director, James Tye, to sponsor a table at 608-255-1000 or james@cleanlakesalliance.org. Learn about all 2026 sponsorship opportunities.
Watch “Voices of the Watershed” (2025 Community Coffee)
Clean Lakes Alliance produced a series of videos, “Voices of the Watershed,” along with Studio 88, for the 2025 Community Coffee.
- Video 1 – Ginny Kominiak & Tamara Knickmeier – The importance of LakeForecast and volunteer water quality monitoring
- Video 2 – Pam Christenson – The economic impact of the Yahara chain of lakes on the Greater Madison economy
- Video 3 – Luke Laufenberg – Local agriculture and how it’s evolving to benefit the lakes
- Video 4 – Bill Fedun – The importance of corporate sustainability and how it can impact the lakes
- Video 5 – Paul Dearlove – The State of the Lakes is a tool to bring transparency and progress accountability to lake management understanding and lake improvement
- Compilation of all five videos shown at the Community Coffee
- Watch the full 2025 Community Coffee event
2026 sponsors
FAQs
What is the refund policy? Tickets are transferable but non-refundable. Thank you for your donation to Clean Lakes Alliance!
State of the Lakes event volunteering
Volunteer with Clean Lakes Alliance at our State of the Lakes event on Wednesday, May 13, 2026! We are looking for greeters, seat attendants, and registration assistants. More information and how to sign up coming in early 2026.
