Keep Elkhart Blue: A Holistic Watershed Approach

This article explores the Elkhart Lake Improvement Association's (ELIA) efforts to preserve the lake's water quality and ecosystem through a holistic watershed approach. Learn about the challenges facing the lake and ELIA's initiatives to address them, including data collection, public education, habitat restoration, and invasive species control. Become a member or get involved in shoreline restoration projects to help keep Elkhart Blue! 

Click "Here" to read the full article that appeared in the Depot Dispatch. (Archived 01/27/2025)

Exploring Wake Boating on Elkhart Lake

At the Elkhart Lake Improvement Association, we are committed to ensuring the sustainability and enjoyment of our lake for all. As of now, the Board of Directors has not taken a formal stance on wake boating. We believe in making informed decisions based on scientific evidence and facts that either support or restrict this activity on Elkhart Lake.

To keep our community informed, we have created a dedicated section on our website. You can find articles discussing various perspectives on wake boating under the "Caring for the Lake" menu tab, specifically labeled as "Wake Boat Articles." We encourage everyone to explore these resources to stay updated on this important topic.

As we continue to monitor developments and gather information, we remain committed to the preservation and responsible management of Elkhart Lake.   (Archived 12/30/2024)

Regulation of wake boats up to local gov't for now

The Wisconsin Outdoor News published an article relating to wake boats in their September 20th, 2024 Newsletter.  The article reviewed the Natural Resources Board (NRB) long awaited summary of rules involving wake boats at its August 14th meeting, but for now the best way to regulate wake boat use seems to be through the passage of local ordinances by city, village, town, or county boards.

To read the whole article click here.    (archived 12/23/2024)

Do Wake Boats Harm Lakes?

This question was posted to Perplexity.....For those of you who are not familiar with Perplexity, it is a free AI-Powered answer engine that provides accurate, trusted, and real time answers to any question.  The answer received is quite lenghty and goes into great details about potential harm.  To read the full response, "Click Here".     (archived 12/23/2024)

Elkhart Lake Receives DNR GRants

Elkhart Lake was a recipient when the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources recently announced approximately $6 million in grant funding to lake organizations, nonprofit organizations and municipal and county governments throughout Wisconsin.

Of the 428 applicants, 207 programs totaling around $6 million were selected this year (2024) by the DNR for the annual awards.

Funding, which includes Healthy Lakes and Rivers grants as well as support for the Clean Boats, Clean Waters and Lake Monitoring and Protection Network programs, will be used to help restore and protect the state’s surface water resources in 2024 and beyond.

Under the grant funding, the Elkhart Lake Improvement Association (ELIA) will receive funding of $1,950 for our Clean Boats-Clean Water program and ELIA will work with the Sheboygan County’s Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership which was given two $10,000 grants: one directed towards improvements to Elkhart Lake’s Neuses Bay Tributary, and the other to study phosphorus loading at Elkhart Lake.

28 boating fatalities in 2023 sets state record 

According to the July 12, 2024 issue of the Wisconsin Outdoor News, Wisconsin set a tragic record in 2023 when 28 people died while enjoying the state’s lakes and rivers by fishing, hunting, paddling, jet-skiing, waterskiing or motorboating.

Most of those folks drowned; only one died in a collision.  To learn more, read the article by , "Clicking Here."

DNR offers awareness tips for Invasive Species Action Month 

Click "Here" to check it out! 

True or False?

Q:  I am over 18 years old so I can drive any boat or PWC without a boating safety certificate?

A:  False

•  A person who was born on or after January 1, 1989, and who is 16 years of age or older may operate a motorboat only if he or she:

1. Has completed a boating safety course accepted by Wisconsin DNR 

2. Is accompanied by another person in the motorboat who is at least 18 years of age and that person holds a valid boating safety certificate or was born before January 1, 1989.

• A person at least 16 years old may operate a PWC only if he or she has completed a boating safety course that is accepted by the Wisconsin DNR.  A person born before January 1, 1989, is exempt from the safety course requirement.

Boat Safety Education

Persons required to have successfully completed a boater education course must carry their boater education certificate on board and make it available upon request by a law enforcement officer.  

For more information on the boating safety rules "Click Here".

Wake Boats continue to be in the news

The Town of Farmington in Wisconsin, like many other communities throughout the US, is struggling with the controversial issue of wake boats.  On March 18th More than 100 people overflowed the main room at the Town of Farmington Hall to be heard on this topic. (To read the full article which was published in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel "Click Here".)

Recent Surveys show 70% support for restrictions on wake-enhanced boating as a mandate.

Paul Smith of the Milwuakee Journal Sentinel published an article on the subject appearing in the paper on May 2, 2024.  It leaves no doubt about how strong a majority of state residents feel on the subject.  "Click Here" to read the whole article.

NRB seeking more input on wake boat issues 

Madison — Wake boats, and issues associated with their use, caught the attention of Natural Resources Board (NRB) members in May and will be on their agenda on June 26th. 

Click "Here" to check out the article that appeared in the Wisconsin Outdoor News! 

Did you Know..........

There are 15,074 documented inland lakes in the State of Wisconsin and Elkhart Lake is the third deepest natural inland lake at 119 feet deep.  The deepest lake is Big Green Lake at 236 feet deep, followed by Geneva Lake at 135 feet.  These three lakes were all formed as remnants of glacial activity.

However, if artificial lakes were included things would look different, with Lake Wazee (a former iron mine in Jackson County) the deepest at 350 feet in depth.  There are also two very deep quarries that filled with water: Redgranite Quarry in Waushara County at 163 feet deep and Lohrville Quarry in Waushara County at 120 feet deep.

Having a deep lake is a good thing because lakes with higher volumes of water tend to better withstand land use changes around them.  Big, deep lakes tend to have clearer water.  This is a win for residents and visitors alike who love the clean water when swimming and it’s also great for our native fish and animals.

Elkhart Lake is in the News

Wisconsin Outdoor News ran a feature story on Elkhart Lake in their December issue.  The article featured information about the Plymouth DNR fisheries team which ran a comprehensive fishery survey on Elkhart Lake in 2022 .  The data was collected in spring, early summer, and fall, to assess the status of all game fish and panfish species, get population estimates on walleyes, pike, and muskies, and to update management recommendations if needed.  If you want to know more about this study, "click here".

Two recent articles drawing attention to Wake Boat DAngers

In the December 29, 2023 issue of the Wisconsin Outdoor News there was a front page article titled "Citizens, groups push for strict wake boat rules."  The article reports the dangers associated with wake boats in Wisconsin and how citizens, existing groups, and citizens forming new groups, are fighting for reforms to WI wake boat rules in hopes of limiting potential damages caused by big wakes.  To read the whole aricle "Click Here".

Then in the January 11th, 2024 addition of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel this appeared in the sports section of the paper.  "On Jan. 3, the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources approved a rule to prohibit wake sports on lakes, ponds and reservoirs that do not have a minimum of 50 contiguous acres that are both 500 feet from shore on all sides and are a minimum of 20 feet deep. It also requires the 50-acre area to be at least 200 feet wide." 

Want to learn more?  Read the article about the proposed rule change in Vermont and how it relates to Wisconsin "Click Here"

New Information on electric foils and surfboards

Elkhart Lake Improvement Association President, John Schott, recently had a conversation with a representative of the Wisconsin DNR regarding e foils and surf foils. (some of which are pictured above) Discussion revolved around how WI boating rules and regulations apply to the new electric watercraft.  Here is a brief synopsis of the discussion:

• They are powered watercraft and as such, they need to be registered and display numbers and the annual/biannual stickers.

• Operators must follow the same boating laws as when they are operating any other power watercraft.

• Operators need to follow all slow-no-wake regulations.  ("Slow-No-Wake Speed" means that speed at which a boat moves as slowly as possible while still maintaining steerage control.)

• Operators of these watercraft need to operate 200 ft from shore and 100 feet from other watercraft.

We will keep you posted as we receive more information........

"Are you passionate about the well-being of Elkhart Lake and the safety of boaters who enjoy its waters? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you! The Elkhart Lake Improvement Association is currently seeking individuals to join our board or volunteer their time to support critical initiatives, such as water quality monitoring and the installation/removal of Slow No Wake buoys. Your involvement can make a significant difference in preserving the beauty and safety of our beloved Elkhart Lake."  

For more information email us at contact@keepelkhartblue.org

Elkhart Lake's Annual Downtown Night was held on Tuesday, August 15th after getting washed out on the 14th (3.9 inches of rain).  The proud board members of the Elkhart Lake Improvement Association didn't let it dampen our sprints while educating the public on how we "Keep Elkhart Blue".  Some of the topics covered were:  Our on-going watershed study, Invasive Weed Abatement Program, Quality Water Testing and Clean Boats/Clean Water Program, just to name a few.  While we were at it, we signed up 4 new members to help with ELIA's future efforts.

Smith: Wake surfing drawing more scrutiny, calls for restrictions in Wisconsin

As wake surfing has become increasingly popular, it has drawn more scrutiny as well as calls to limit the activity on Wisconsin lakes.  Wake surfing can dislodge aquatic vegetation and erode shores.

Paul A. Smith  Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

These boats are also having an impact on Elkhart Lake!  Want to learn more? Read the whole article by "Clicking Here".

ELIA Annual Meeting

The Elkhart Lake Improvement Association held the Annual Membership meeting on June 9th, at the Osthoff Resort in Elkhart Lake.  There were 118 members who attended the informative event. If you want to see what you missed you can check out the Power Point Presentation that was given.

A special thank you to General Manager John Steffes (also an ELIA Board member) and the Osthoff Resort for the first class setup that they provided us.

ELIA receives dnr grants

ELIA has recently received 4 DNR grants for calendar 2023.  These grants which require matching funds will help Keep Elkhart Blue in the coming years.

The first grant covers our Clean Boat Clean Water Program (CBCW) for another year.  This onsite educational program helps inform boaters coming onto and leaving the lake about invasives.  CBCW activity has been in place for over a decade.  CBCW also provides information to boaters about the lake and rules of the road while they are enjoying the lake.

The other three grants break new ground and are part of an overall watershed assessment project that ELIA is working on with the DNR, Sheboygan County Planning and Environment, and the Lake shore Natural Resource Partnership (LNRP).

Grant 1-Elkhart Lake Best Management Practices - Native Shoreline Gardens

Partnering with property owners, ELIA is administering a grant to implement best practices from Wisconsin's 2019 Healthy Lakes & Rivers Action Plan.  This will include 350 sq. ft. of native plantings, diversions, rock infiltration, and/or rain gardens which will be designed and installed in various location along the lake.  All funded best practices, required contracts that must remain in place for 10 years and include minimum operation and maintenance requirements as a condition of the grant.

Grant 2 - Elkhart Lake Habitat Restoration - Prairie Installation & Tree Planting

ELIA is sponsoring a lake protection project to install a 25-acre prairie restoration on the Schaff property, located on a direct drainage area on the south side of Elkhart Lake.  Specific project activities include: 

1. Site preparation to prepare the site for seeding.

2. Placement of native mesic and wet-mesic prairie seed by a tractor mounted seed drill as well as broadcast hand seeding.

3. Planting of oak trees and shrubs.

4. Management mowing and spot herbicide treatment to manage nonnative vegetation as needed.

5. Monitoring the site to map nonnative populations when found.

Grant 3- Elkhart Lake Runoff Management - Feasibility Study & Concept Design

ELIA is sponsoring a project to develop a conceptual plan for the Neuses Bay Tributary BMP installation for Elkhart Lake.  Project final deliverables include:  Agenda and minutes for the Annual Meeting, and a conceptual design plan that includes methodologies, data complied and collected, and modeling results. Specific project activities include:

1. Compilation of existing imagery data, land use data, FEMA data and meteorological data.

2. Collection of site-specific data.

3. Development of a conceptual design plan including SWAT model, alignment, profiles, instream structures and a revegetation plan.

4. Presentation of conceptual design plan at the Annual Meeting and other outreach events.  ELIA  will also continue its annual invasive weed program to locate and remove or terminate invasivethe south side of Elkhart Lake.  Specific project activities include: 

6. Site preparation to prepare the site for seeding.

7. Placement of native mesic and wet-mesic prairie seed by a tractor mounted seed drill as well as broadcast hand seeding.

8. Planting of oak trees and shrubs.

9. Management mowing and spot herbicide treatment to manage nonnative vegetation as needed.

10. Monitoring the site to map nonnative populations when found.

10 tips for safer boating this season

Paul A. Smith

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

USA TODAY NETWORK – WISCONSIN

To read this informative article "Click Here".

National Operation Dry Water campaign July 1-3 in Wisconsin

Boaters should expect to see more Department of Natural Resources conservation wardens and other law enforcement officers on Wisconsin waters July 1-3 as part of the national Operation Dry Water campaign.

Wardens and other participating law enforcement agencies will be educating boaters about safe boating practices, including sober boating and the need to wear life jackets, according to the DNR.

Alcohol use is a leading factor in recreational boating fatalities and nearly 80% of fatal boating incidents involve drowning, with many victims failing to wear a flotation device.

“Boating while impaired continues to be a problem on our waterways,” said Lt. Darren Kuhn, DNR boating law administrator, in a statement. “As law enforcement, it is our duty to ensure that recreational boaters, paddlers and anyone enjoying our waterways have a safe place to spend their time. The tragedies that result from these boating under the influence incidents are 100% preventable.”

In Wisconsin, it is illegal for boaters to operate a vessel if their blood alcohol content (BAC) is 0.08 percent or higher. The DNR recommends to designate a sober operator if alcohol is part of a group's day on the water.

Since Operation Dry Water started in 2009, law enforcement officers across the nation have taken law enforcement action against 4,700 impaired operators, preventing dangerous and potentially devastating consequences, according to the DNR.

Boaters can learn more about boating under the influence by visiting operationdrywater.org. Operation Dry Water is coordinated nationally by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators.

Elkhart Lake Tourism offers "Keep Elkhart Blue" tips

The Elkhart Lake Tourism Commission recently published suggestions that will help Keep Elkhart Blue, titled "The Elkhart Way."  Here is one excerpt from their post.

"Leave only footprints…it’s the Elkhart Way

The lake — It’s the gem of our village, and when we all treat it like one then we all reap the benefits. Beach day? Leave it how it was when you arrived, if not, better. Boating? Respect “no wake” zones and hours, inspect your boat before you enter the lake and after you leave the lake. Remove. Drain. Dispose. We can all do our part in keeping Elkhart blue."

For more information on this initiative, follow this link.

Amazon Smile

   Haleluya Hadero

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Amazon is ending a charity donation program it ran for a decade in its latest cost-cutting move.

In a blog post on Wednesday, the company said the program, called AmazonSmile, will shut down by Feb. 20 because it had “not grown to create the impact” the retailer had hoped. The program allowed Amazon to donate a small percentage of eligible purchases to a charity selected by shoppers.

The decision also comes as the Seattle- based company is laying off workers and axing different areas of its business in an effort to trim costs.

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said earlier this month the layoffs at his company will impact about 18,000 employees. Jassy said the cuts will mostly affect the company’s retail division and its PXT organizations, which handle human resources and other functions.

The company said charities that have been a part of the AmazonSmile program will be provided a “one-time donation equivalent” to three months of what they earned last year through the program. They’ll also be able to accrue additional donations until the program officially closes, it said.

Wisconsin residents have become increasingly concerned about the impact of wake boats on wildlife, habitat and other boaters. 

Public concerns about damage caused by wake boats in Wisconsin have resulted in requests by Natural Resources Board members for action, including new laws, to address the issues. Wake boats are power craft with special ballast tanks designed to increase their displacement and create larger than normal waves for surfing or tubing. Several thousand pounds of lake water are commonly taken into the tanks to increase the wake. Use of the boats has increased markedly in recent years, according to Darren Kuhn, DNR boating law administrator. “(Wake boating) is definitely a hot topic and it is definitely a growing sport in popularity,” Kuhn said at a recent NRB meeting in Madison. It’s also drawing more scrutiny. Issues arise when the wake poses a danger to other boaters, habitat and wildlife, according to several state residents who have testified at board meetings over the last year. The prop wash can also scour the lake bottom and damage aquatic vegetation. Further, the ballast tanks present serious risks for transfer of aquatic invasive species. The DNR has urged boaters to be aware of the risks and problems caused by boat wakes and to take steps to reduce big wakes. “The problem is the wakes create a safety hazard to everyone else using the lake, damage the environment, destroy personal property and erode the shoreline,” said Jeff Meessmann of Presque Isle at the September board meeting. Kuhn, the DNR’s boating law administrator, gave the board a presentation on enforcement issues related to wake boats at Wednesday’s meeting. Several state statutes apply to wake boats, Kuhn said. All boats are required to proceed at no wake speed when within 100 feet of any shoreline, dock or pier. Second is a law regulating wake which states “no person shall operate a motorboat so as to approach or pass another boat in such a manner as to create a hazardous wake or wash.” Third are statutes pertaining to AIS, including one that requires anyone who removes a boat from any inland or outlying water to immediately drain all water, including from ballast tanks. Violations of those statutes result in civil forfeitures, or citations, Kuhn said. Wake boat operators also could be charged with a potential criminal violation called “negligent operation.” It states no person may operate or use any boat in a careless, negligent or reckless manner so as to endanger that person’s life or property or the life, property or person of another.” DNR wardens have direct authority to enforce all of those laws statewide, Kuhn said. Board member Bill Smith said the DNR was called to take up the wake boating issues as part of its public trust responsibilities to protect the resources. “This is an issue that is developing rapidly and it might be a lot more effective and efficient to address it on the front end instead of presented with problems down the line,” Smith said. 

Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel  

ELIA Seeks your input on the Elkhart lake Comprehensive Lake Management Plan

Here is the link for the Draft Elkhart Lake Comprehensive Lake Management Plan. Please provide comments on the Draft Elkhart Lake Comprehensive Lake Management Plan by Oct 24, 2022. Direct comments to Sarah Majerus at (920) 627-3183, sarah.majerus@stantec.com, or Melissa Curran at (920) 841-1072, melissa.curran@stantec.com. 

HELP STOP THE SPREAD OF INVASIVE SPECIES THIS SUMMER

The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is asking boaters to help stop the spread of invasive, nonnative plants and animals in our waters. (To learn more, click on the link above)   

Elkhart Lake Study Seeks Your Input 

The Elkhart Lake Improvement Association (ELIA) is in the midst of a comprehensive lake watershed survey to assess impacts that are negatively affecting the water quality of the lake. And you can be an important part of the input that is being collected. All responses will be anonymous so there will be no use of any of your personal information. (Survey will be open through Sept. 16, 2022)

Here is an online link that will connect you to a short survey that will help capture a variety of Elkhart Lake user information. User input is an important part of the overall data base being created for this project. If you prefer a hard copy for your submittal, you can contact ELIA and a copy will be sent to you.

The goal of this assessment study is to help identify critical areas around the lake where improvements can have the most positive effect on maintaining and improving lake water quality.

The survey is being managed by Stantec, an environmental engineering firm which has been contracted by ELIA to perform the assessment work. This is being done through funding support from the Catharine B. Stayer family foundation, and is coordinated with the Sheboygan County office of Planning and Conservation and the Lakeshore Natural Resource  Partnership 

Based on assessment results, ELIA will be applying for DNR grant funding to help implement prioritized improvement projects.

Keeping Elkhart Blue is a long-term effort. The lake is in good shape but keeping it that way is critical for enjoyment by generations to come. Thank you for taking part in the survey and please feel free to raise questions or include any observations you may wish to share. Send your questions or observations to:  Contact ELIA.

Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting

Harvesting of Eurasian Water Milfoil (Invasive Weeds) took place on August 22, 23, and 24 in various areas around the lake.  For a full report, "Click Here".

Invasive weed treatment

There was a herbicide treatment applied to two areas of the lake late Monday afternoon, June 27th, 2022. It was in the outlet bay and Neuses bay. People in those bays should not use lake water on plants for 14 days. 

This, in combination with diver assisted suction harvesting, has decreased our concentrations of two invasive weeds while not decreasing the native weed population.

Osthoff supports Elia

On April 22nd, the Osthoff Resort Condo Owners recognized and supported the Elkhart Lake Improvement Association at their Owners Social.  The owners  hosted a ‘Wine Pull’ fundraiser and awarded ELIA with $1,000 check! 

Thank you to the Osthoff Resort and all the owners who supported this event, your generous support is truly helping to "Keep Elkhart Blue."

Amazon Smile Helps Keep Elkhart Blue

Amazon seems to be everywhere these days, even in the small village of Elkhart Lake. If you have been making purchases through Amazon.com, then there is an opportunity for your purchasing power to help Keep Elkhart Blue.

Amazon has a sister website called Amazon Smile, which is their charity arm. Instead of going to the website www.amazon.com, go to https://smile.amazon.com/, log into your account, select Elkhart Lake Improvement Association Inc. as your charity to associate with your purchases, and proceed to make your purchases on the Amazon Smile site. Amazon will donate .05% of purchases (excluding shipping, taxes, fees), to ELIA.

Select Charity: Elkhart Lake Improvement Association Inc

For more information on Amazon Smile:

• • http://smile.amazon.com/gp/chpf/pd/ref=smi_se_saas_lpd_spd

• • https://smile.amazon.com/gp/chpf/about/