Help Protect the Lake You Love! 

The Elkhart Lake Improvement Association (ELIA) is looking for passionate individuals to join our Board of Directors or to serve on our active Committees.

If you care about preserving the beauty, safety, and water quality of Elkhart Lake, we need your voice and expertise! Whether you want to lead on the Board or dive into a specific project, there is a place for you.

Our Committees Include:

✅ Lake Management: Water testing, invasive species control, and watershed projects.

✅ Boating Safety: Ensuring a safe environment for all lake users.

✅ Government Relations: Advocating for the lake with local officials.

✅ Community Outreach: Education and local engagement.

✅ Membership: Growing and connecting our community of supporters. 

Interested in making an impact? Contact us at contact@keepelkhartblue.org to learn more about our open positions.

Together, we can ensure Elkhart Lake remains healthy and vibrant for generations to come!

Research shows AIS Messaging works

Education Works: Boaters who know the ‘Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!’ rules are doing their part to stop AIS

(Reprinted from our friends at Wisconsin Sea Grant)

Millions of dollars are spent each year on programs that encourage recreational boaters to help stop the spread of aquatic invasive species like zebra mussels and hydrilla. But do these programs, like the national Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! and Clean Drain Dry brands, actually work? 

Recently published research from a University of Wisconsin–Madison team shows — for the first time — that yes, they do.

“Before now, we only assumed these messages work,” said Tim Campbell, Wisconsin Sea Grant’s aquatic invasive species outreach specialist and coauthor of the study. “This research shows, for sure, that Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers! and Clean Drain Dry outreach help keep our lakes and rivers free of invasive species.”

• You can finish reading this article in the Wisconsin Sea Grant news archive.

• You can read the recently published research article in the journal Management of Biological Invasions.

safeguard the Future of Elkhart Lake 

Become an ELIA Member

The Elkhart Lake Improvement Association (ELIA) is dedicated to preserving the beauty, tranquility, and exceptional water quality of Elkhart Lake for future generations. Our members share a passion for protecting the lake experience and ensuring that this extraordinary natural resource remains healthy, vibrant, and enjoyable for residents and visitors alike.

ELIA actively supports initiatives that directly benefit the lake and its surrounding watershed. Current efforts include essential water quality monitoring, boating safety education, aquatic invasive species (AIS) prevention, and public outreach. One active project underway is the Shoreland Road Wetland Restoration Project, which will reduce nutrient-rich runoff, like nutrients and phosphorus that can cause algae blooms, from entering the lake. The restored wetland will improve the watershed’s natural filtration and long-term water quality.

If you love the lake, please join us. Membership connects you with a community of people committed to protecting the lake and staying informed about the latest projects, challenges, and progress. Members are also invited to attend ELIA’s Annual Meeting, where the Board of Directors share updates on lake conditions and ongoing initiatives.

Contact ELIA to get involved. Mark your calendars for June 12, 2026 for our Annual Meeting at the Osthoff Hotel. (5 PM – 6 PM Social Hour, Business Meeting to Follow)   . Become a member online or sign-up in person at the meeting. Annual dues are $50 / person. 

Keeping Elkhart Blue: A Shoreland Road Update 

The wait for spring is on, and so is our work to protect Elkhart Lake! We are thrilled to announce that the Shoreland Road Wetland Restoration Project officially broke ground this month. From removing invasive species to restoring native habitats, this project is a critical step in filtering runoff and keeping our waters clear. [Read the full project update here]