At Clean Lakes Alliance, we work for our lakes all year long. Keep reading to learn five great ways YOU can get involved with the watershed this winter and support cleaner, healthier lakes!
Despite warm weather in Madison over the weekend, cool nights, light winds, and cold water helped Lake Mendota officially freeze on Saturday, December 15th. Lake Mendota, the largest lake in the Yahara Watershed, froze eight days after the smallest lake in the watershed, Lake Wingra, which officially froze on December 7th. Lake Monona officially froze on December 11th.
The Wisconsin State Climatology Office requires ice to hold for a period of 24 hours before a lake can officially be declared frozen over. After ice took shape this weekend, staff waited to see whether it would hold out through the warm daytime temperatures. The December 15th freeze date is 12 days ahead of last year’s December 27th freeze date, and a surprising five days ahead of the December 20th median freeze date. The latest freeze date for Lake Mendota was January 30th – which happened in the winter of 1932.
The Wisconsin State Climatology Office makes the official determination as to whether the lake is frozen. The climatologists use the same guidelines they have used for decades to determine whether the lakes are iced over. This allows for a continuity in data collection. Read more: Determining ice cover on Madison’s lakes.
Take a break from the hilly pavement and bring your stride to the ice. In the Frozen Assets 5K race, participants will run or walk across the ice on iconic Lake Mendota with beautiful views of downtown Madison and the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. The course will start and end at The Edgewater, right in the heart of the Frozen Assets Festival!
Your registration to the Frozen Assets 5K includes admission to the race with optional chip timing. Online registration closes Wednesday, January 20th. The registration pricing schedule is below:
November 1 $35 :: Early bird
December 31 $40 :: Regular price
February 2 $45 :: Same day
Best of all, your registration supports work to protect and improve water quality in our lakes!
The event is chip-timed for runners, sign up for the walk pass for an untimed event. Awards will be given to the top three male and female finishers.
By registering for this event, you agree to the Frozen Assets 5K Terms & Conditions of Entry. All entrants must read and agree to this declaration.
Race organizers reserve the right to alter the course due to factors including, but not limited to, ice conditions and weather. If conditions are deemed unsafe, the event may be cancelled or moved to an alternate location. Participants will be notified of any changes ahead of the event.
Is there parking available?
Event parking will be available at The Edgewater for $5. Participants may also find street parking or use other City of Madison parking ramps.
What is the course?
The course is a loop on Lake Mendota to Picnic Point and back.
When can I check-in or pick up my bag?
Participant check-in and registration the day of the event will begin at 9 a.m. An optional bag pickup will be held on Thursday, Jaunary 31st from 4-8 p.m.
What happens if ice conditions are unsafe?
Clean Lakes Alliance will make every effort to hold this event, while keeping safety in mind for all competitors. If conditions are deemed unsafe, the event may be cancelled or moved to an alternate location, with entrance fees being considered a tax-deductible donation to support our lakes.Participants will be notified of any changes ahead of the event.
What is the refund policy?
Registrations are transferrable and non-refundable. Thank you in advance for your donation to support our lakes!
Join Clean Lakes Alliance for our Frozen Assets 5K, America’s only run entirely on a frozen lake!
Take a break from the hilly pavement and bring your stride to the ice. In this 5K race, participants will run or walk across the ice on iconic Lake Mendota for beautiful views of downtown Madison and the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. The course will start and end at The Edgewater. Medals will be awarded to our top finishers. Best of all, your registration supports work to protect and improve water quality in our lakes!
Online registration ends Wednesday, January 31st. Walk-ups welcome! Register at the start line at 9 a.m. the day of the race.
Contact Clean Lakes Alliance at info@cleanlakesalliance.org or 608-255- 1000 if your organization would like to get involved by becoming a sponsor.
Learn more about the Frozen Assets Festival: cleanlakesalliance.org/frozen-assets
Every year, the Frozen Assets Festival highlights the status of our lakes as one of our community’s biggest assets. This event has raised more than half a million dollars for our lakes since 2012! You’re invited to our fourth annual family-friendly outdoor winter festival at The Edgewater and on frozen Lake Mendota.
Join us for FREE activities all weekend long, including ice skating, sleigh rides, pond hockey, snowshoeing, ice science, figure and speed skating demos. Warm up with complimentary s’mores and hot cocoa!
Contact Clean Lakes Alliance at info@cleanlakesalliance.org or 608-255- 1000 if your organization would like to get involved by hosting an activity or becoming a sponsor.
Learn more: cleanlakesalliance.org/frozen-assets
MADISON, Wis. — After unseasonable rain, the return of cold temperatures and a dose of winter white helped Lake Mendota stay solid for Frozen Assets! Back for a third year, the three-day, free family-friendly festival expects to draw near 10,000 people throughout the weekend. Frozen Assets is made possible thanks to title sponsors CG Schmidt, Hovde Properties, Lands’ End Outfitters, Spectrum Brands, and is hosted by platinum sponsor, The Edgewater.
Join Clean Lakes Alliance for our first annual snowshoe run on Madison’s iconic Lake Mendota! Registration supports our efforts to protect and improve water quality in our local lakes, rivers and wetlands. To sign up, visit the green ticket link below.
Bring family and friends and let’s explore our winter lakes at the Frozen Assets Festival! Learn more.
Photo via Gianina Lindsey, Flickr.
Join Clean Lakes Alliance for our first annual amateur ice fishing derby on Madison’s iconic Lake Mendota! Registration supports our efforts to protect and improve water quality in our local lakes, rivers and wetlands. To sign up, visit the green ticket link below.
Bring family and friends and let’s explore our winter lakes at the Frozen Assets Festival! Learn more.
Photo via UW-Madison Center for Limnology.
Join Clean Lakes Alliance for our first annual fat tire bike race on Madison’s iconic Lake Mendota! Registration supports our efforts to protect and improve water quality in our local lakes, rivers and wetlands. To sign up, visit the green ticket link below.
Bring family and friends and let’s explore our winter lakes at the Frozen Assets Festival! Learn more.
Photo via Joshua Duggan, Flickr.
Support clean, healthy lakes with Clean Lakes Alliance’s 12th Annual Loop the Lake Bike Ride, presented by Lake Ridge Bank. Loop the Lake is an at-your-own-pace bike ride around Lake Monona on Saturday, June 15th that raises funds to protect and preserve Greater Madison’s lakes. Make a day of it while you enjoy entertaining and educational activities at many parks along the route.
Registration includes:
Fun and educational stops (see information below)
Super soft t-shirt, compliments of Lands’ End
Food cart item
Free beer or seltzer, courtesy of Bell’s Brewery (21+)
