In 2022, Clean Lakes Alliance received a Wisconsin DNR Surface Water Grant to participate in the Clean Boats, Clean Waters (CBCW) program. CBCW is a state-wide aquatic invasive species (AIS) prevention program. The program increases awareness and education to boaters, anglers, and general lake users on best practices to prevent the further spread of AIS at our local boat landings.
We had so much fun throughout the nine days of Frozen Assets 2023 and we hope you did too! More than 8,000 lake enthusiasts from near and far joined us for science demonstrations, musical performances, ice skating, food and drinks, ice sculpture carving, a chance to try new winter activities, face painting, networking, a chance to run or walk in the only 5K on a frozen lake in North America, and more! We THANK YOU for supporting lakes Mendota, Monona, Wingra, Waubesa, and Kegonsa!
Lake enthusiasts from near and far joined us at Frozen Assets 2023 for science demonstrations, music, a 5K on a frozen lake, and more!
In 2022, our volunteers embarked on the 10th season of LakeForecast water quality monitoring. This work involved collecting nearshore condition reports at piers, beaches, parks, and access points around the five Yahara lakes. From May through September, volunteers measured water clarity, recorded air and water temperature, identified the presence of green algae and cyanobacteria, and noted additional visual observations. Reports are entered into the LakeForecast app where all data are updated in real time.
By Pete Jopke, Water Resources Planner with the Dane County Land & Water Resources Department
Article first published in the 2022 Greater Madison Lake Guide, a Clean Lakes Alliance publication
The Dane County Land & Water Resources Department manages an aquatic plant harvesting program with much of the harvesting occurring on lakes Mendota, Monona, Waubesa, and Kegonsa. Occasionally, other smaller waterbodies are harvested to aid in recreation and invasive plant management. The program dates to the early 1980’s when five harvesters were in operation. In those years, harvests totaled over 300 tons of plant material. In 2021, the existing fleet of 12 harvesters recorded plant harvests of more than 12,000 tons!
In 2021, our volunteers embarked on the 9th season of LakeForecast water quality monitoring. This work involved collecting nearshore condition reports at piers, beaches, parks, and access points around the five Yahara lakes. From May through September, volunteers took water quality measurements. They measured water clarity, recorded air and water temperature, identified the presence of green algae and cyanobacteria, and noted additional visual observations. Reports are entered into the LakeForecast app where all data are updated in real time.
New opportunities to learn about and help our lakes can arise unexpectedly. Such is the case when Madison Gas and Electric‘s Jeff Jaeckels reached out to Clean Lakes Alliance about a research group looking for volunteers to study the lakes in a novel way. Studying the lakes through artificial intelligence will allow Clean Lakes Alliance and our partners to better monitor and research harmful algal blooms.
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.
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!
Thursday, July 9th, 2020
7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
The Legend at Bergamont &
Christy’s Landing
Registration is closed at this time
Join the Waubesa Surf ‘n Turf Challenge for its 11th year on Lake Waubesa, benefitting Clean Lakes Alliance!
This exciting event combines golf at The Legend at Bergamont Golf Club and fishing on Lake Waubesa for a day of friendly competition to support work to improve and protect our lakes.
Register as an individual or team of three to join this fun lakeside tradition. Registration includes green fees, lunch, dinner, swag bag, and LIVE virtual scoring for golf and fishing competitions.
As always, your registration supports important lake improvement projects, educational programs, and water quality monitoring.
The competition includes 18 holes of golf played as a 3-man Texas scramble. All players hit all shots. A team’s fishing score will be based on total inches of legal size gamefish caught. Click here for complete golf and fishing rules.
The team’s fishing score will be deducted from their golf score. Prizes are awarded to the low gross and low net teams, with the low gross winner identified first.
Think you can reel in the biggest catch? Enter the Big Fish Contest for $10 at the beginning of the event! Cash pot awarded to EACH of the largest legal bass, walleye, pike, and muskie of the day.
6:45 a.m. Check-in at Bergamont
7:30 a.m. Shotgun start
11:00 a.m. Lunch buffet at Bergamont
12:30 p.m. Fishing on Lake Waubesa
4:30 p.m. Time cut-off for fish registration
5:00 p.m. Steaks and prizes at Christy’s Landing
If you would like to learn more about sponsorship opportunities, email our Development Director, Laura Strickland, at laura@cleanlakesalliance.org.
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.
