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Clean Lakes Alliance kicks off annual Mendota Freeze Contest

On Wednesday, December 1st, 2021, Clean Lakes Alliance kicked off its 10th annual Mendota Freeze Contest. This year, Greater Madison experienced near-normal November temperatures. As of the first of the month, Lake Mendota, and the other four Greater Madison lakes, remained completely open. Despite this week’s mild temperatures, more than 165 years of data show the median freeze date for Lake Mendota is only a little under three weeks away on December 20th.

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April 13, 2022 @ 8:00 am 9:00 am

Clean Lakes 101

Join us in-person or virtually Wednesday, April 13th to learn more about Lake Mendota’s storied history of research and challenges.

About this Talk

Lake Mendota is a beloved resource for thousands of people, but many don’t know that it has a rich history of testing scientific hypotheses. Often cited as the most studied lake in the world, it has been researched extensively since the 1880’s. This talk will chronologically cover how Lake Mendota has undergone large shifts in its food web and water quality over the last several decades. It will also incorporate current research to better understand the current state of the lake in anticipation for what the future might hold.

About our Speaker

Ben Martin is a PhD candidate at the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he works with Jake Vander Zanden on understanding food web ecology of lake ecosystems. Ben has been focused on synthesizing large-scale food web shifts in lakes in northern Wisconsin, the Madison lakes, and the Great Lakes. Ben has been very encouraged since moving to Madison from Pennsylvania as the Madison community has shown great interest in science, especially when it involves our lakes.

Event Details

This event will be held at The Edgewater hotel – grand ballroom level 5 (1001 Wisconsin Pl, Madison, WI 53703). Doors open at 7:30 a.m. The program runs from 8 – 9 a.m. A Q/A session will follow the presentation as time allows. Complimentary event parking will be available at The Edgewater parking ramp. Parking spots fill up quickly and may be limited depending on hotel capacity.

A Zoom link will be sent to all registrants via the Eventbrite confirmation email.

Clean Lakes 101 Lecture Series

Clean Lakes 101 is a series of educational events open to the public and a great chance for residents to learn more about the science behind the issues that affect our lakes. Each month we feature a different expert to make the science accessible and interesting to non-technical audiences. The series is produced in partnership with the UW-Madison Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies and UW-Extension Lakes, with presenting sponsors First Weber Foundation and Johnson Financial Group, hosting sponsor The Edgewater, supporting sponsor National Guardian Life Insurance Company, and media sponsor WKOW.

Free
1001 Wisconsin Pl
Madison, WI 53703 United States
+ Google Map
6085358200
View Venue Website

Little Houses

Local Madison area photographers share their view of our lakes

The Greater Madison area often tops lists of best places to live. One of the reasons frequently cited, is our lakes. We talked to five photographers in the Madison area and found out what they love most about photographing the Yahara lakes. Read more from the photographers, and see a sampling of their work – as they feature different views of our watershed.

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Wyldhaven Park - Kenton Fowler

Close to half of the Yahara Watershed’s shorelines include public lands and parks. Here are
a few hidden gems, which happen to be some of Clean Lakes Alliance’s favorite spots to enjoy our waters!

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Water Quality Monitoring

In 2020 water quality monitoring took place at piers and beaches around the five Yahara lakes. Volunteers measured near-shore water clarity, air and water temperature, and noted several visual observations during the monitoring season, which runs from May to September. 

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Lake Mendota looking toward Picnic Point

Ice-on date arrives days after the new year

Air temperatures below the freezing mark throughout the last week, combined with cold water helped Lake Mendota officially freeze on Sunday, January 3rd, 2021, as declared by the Wisconsin State Climatology Office. Lake Mendota, the largest lake in the Yahara Watershed, froze 27 days shy of January 30th – which is the latest date that ice-on has ever been declared (1/30/1932).

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UW-Madison’s love of the lakes

A letter from University of Wisconsin-Madison about the Yahara CLEAN Compact

Like everything else this year, visiting the Memorial Union Terrace feels a little different. Yet as we sit apart, looking over Lake Mendota, it serves as a reminder that the physical distance between us is a sign of strength. We are reminded of what we can accomplish when we have the resolve to tackle a challenge, and Clean Lakes Alliance is evidence of that.

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Sunset over Lake Mendota

Fun finds around the Yahara Watershed

Although the most beloved beaches and piers are popular for good reason, there are also some hidden gems around the watershed that may just become your new favorite as we practice social distancing!

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Bernies Beach

A shared vision for clean, safe, and accessible lakes

In August 2019, leaders from government, business, and nonprofit organizations came together with a shared vision. The vision included a future in which Greater Madison’s five Yahara lakes are clean, safe, and accessible for everyone. Together, the 19 partners and collaborators formed the Yahara CLEAN Compact and committed to sharing resources and working together to curb pollution and chart the best path forward to cleaner, healthier lakes.

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Loop the Lake 2019 - with Friends sign

Take the next step and support our lakes!

Are you looking for a way to connect with our lakes this spring and summer? Here are 8 ways you can support Clean Lakes Alliance as we work toward protecting and improving the lakes of the Yahara Watershed.

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