Our mission is to develop, within the control of the association and its members, the lake resources for the betterment of sport fishing and recreation activities and for the enhancement of the surrounding citizens and communities.
Welcome to the Beaver Dam Lake Improvement Association
News and Events
7th Annual Kids Fish-n-Fun
The 7th Annual Kids Fish-n-Fun Day was held June 6 at Edgewater Park and, in spite of the weather, 168 kids were there to participate and the day was a huge success. Our many thanks to the sponsors, committee members and workers that helped to make this a special day.
It's taken a long time but the Wisconsin Legislature finally passed Assembly Bill 3 partially banning the use of fertilizers containing phosphorus. The Governor signed the bill into law on April 14th, it was officially published on April 28th and will go into effect on April 1, 2010.
AB 3 primarily affects homeowners and golf courses but it's a positive step in improving the condition of our inland lakes and streams. Phosphorus is the leading cause of algae blooms in Beaver Dam Lake.
Recently members of several Dodge County lake associations and districts met with representatives Jeff and Scott Fitzgerald at Neider Park on Lake Sinnissippi to thank them for supporting the bill and provide the legislatures insight into the conservation efforts of the various lake groups.
Phosphorus Ban Approved
It's Blue-Green Season Again
Every year, as spring gives way to summer, the rains flush more nutrients into the lake and occasionally on warm, calm, sunny days, that wonderful blue-green algae begins to appear. Not only does it ruin the aethetics of the lake but under the right circumstances it can become a health hazzard for humans and animals alike.
The DNR has published an FAQ document that answers many of the common questions about blue-green algae but if you, or someone you know, or a pet, becomes ill after coming in contact with the algae, see a doctor immediately and then report the incident to the Dodge County Health Department at (920) 386-3670.
Front Row: Gary Knipper (Lake Sinnissippi Association), Nancy Schraufnagel (BDLIA), Rep. Jeff Fitzgerald, Sen. Scott Fitzgerald
Back Row: Howard Kriewald (Dodge Cty. Land Conservation Group), Howard Pegelow (Beaver Dam Lake Citizen's Alliance), Paul Hartzheim (BDLIA), Ed Benter (Fox Lake Property Owner's Assoc.), Jeanne McDermott (Neosho Pond Association), Kathy Ryquist (Fox Lake Inland Lake District), Jim Gronowski (Lake Sinnissippi Improvement District)
Aeration Seminar Held
The keynote speaker was Dr. Jeff Thornton of the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission and an expert on aeration of shallow lakes. He defined the unique challenges facing shallow lakes such as Beaver Dam Lake and the benefites of aeration, one of which is helping to prevent winter kill of game fish. Aeration prevents this by providing or maintaining dissolved oxygen in the water. He then reviewed the various mechanical devices used for aeration. He was not able to give specific recommendations for each of the lakes as Dodge County is not in his region and thus he did not have specifics on each of our lakes.
Jim Congdon, Upper Rock River Supervisor and Fisheries Biologist, of the Wisconsin DNR, reviewed the various aeration methods used over the years by the lakes in Dodge County. Doug Sackett reviewed BDLIA's aeration program and the effort involved in its operation.
During the discussion it was pointed out that aeration is both expensive and very labor intensive, both placement of the systems in the fall and retrieval in the spring as well as overseeing it while in operation. In addition there is need for more and better documentation of the benefits of each of the various aeration systems. It was also pointed out that aeration of the lake should be a part of the overall plan for lake management and most of the lakes in this area do not have such plans.
All participants felt this was a very worthwhile seminar and not only did the attendees from the various lakes learn more regarding this important subject but gained from the exchange of information between the various lake groups.
On Saturday, June 13, 2009 under the cooperation with the Dodge County Lake Group, a three hour seminar was held on using aeration to maintain proper levels of dissolved oxygen in the lakes in Dodge County. Doug Sackett and Bill Boettge of the BDLIA Board attended the meeting. In addition to attending, Doug was a speaker on the program.
