Research Drives The ELPP

Welcome to CHAPTER 5 of our educational series,
"Ten Things You Should Know About Eagle Lake’s Environmental Challenges."

Research and expert advice are essential for lake health improvement projects, as they ensure strategies are grounded in science and tailored to address specific ecological challenges effectively.

Research - As we gear up for the 2025 season, we take pride in reflecting on the achievements of our Surface Water Action Team (SWAT) over the first two years of this initiative. Comprised of dedicated community volunteers, the team has been actively engaged in weekly water sampling, data collection, summer sediment testing, and monitoring stream flow rates during significant rain events.

We are proud of the substantial advancements in the expanded water testing and analysis efforts. Accurately evaluating the lake's ecological state remains vital for identifying the most effective strategies to improve its quality. The testing planned for 2025 will further contribute to our efforts to establish a comprehensive baseline of the lake's ecology.

Advice - The Eagle Lake Improvement Association has renewed the contractual arrangement with Dr. Marcel Dijkstra and the Environmental Research and Innovation Center (ERIC). Dr. Dijkstra is an Associate Professor at UW-Oshkosh, teaching classes in Engineering and Engineering Technology and conducting research with a focus on the prevention of algal blooms. We are grateful to have the continued opportunity to draw upon his expertise in our science-focused initiative.

Eagle Lake is suffering from an excess of phosphorus.

Why did we include the healthcare model here?

Because fixing an unhealthy lake parallels a healthcare treatment plan in several meaningful ways.

When you fall ill, you consult a healthcare provider for assistance. What steps do they take? They first collect data on your condition by ordering comprehensive lab work, diagnostic imaging, and other tests to gain a complete understanding of the issue. You may question why three years of data collection is necessary when we already know excess phosphorus is the problem. The reason is that the precise source and concentrations of the phosphorus is uncertain. Is it coming from the Eagle Creek inflow under Highway 75, or the Oakcrest Creek inflow south of Michael’s On The Lake? Or is it from phosphorus already present in the lake, buried in the bottom sediment and being gradually disrupted back into the water? Who knows, there might even be another source.

With this information, we can proceed as a healthcare provider would: making a specific diagnosis and researching treatment plans based on current best practices and the experience of others. Once treatment plans are selected, they are funded and implemented. Data collection continues to assess whether the treatments are yielding the desired results, and adjustments may be made to further enhance the lake’s health.

Just How Sick? Worsening Trends Cause Concern.

The Eagle Lake Protection Program (ELPP) is a community-driven initiative, inspired by the genuine concerns expressed by our members and neighbors about the lake's well-being. The steady decline in water quality over the past three decades, as reflected in worsening total phosphorus and trophic state numbers, highlights a trend that cannot be overlooked and emphasizes the importance of taking thoughtful, collaborative action.

Thank you for visiting CHAPTER 5 of our educational series,
"Ten Things You Should Know About Eagle Lake’s Environmental Challenges."

DISCLAIMER:
We have taken great care to ensure the accuracy of the information provided in this educational series, utilizing publicly accessible data, evaluations, and imagery from the internet. Any statements that may be perceived as opinions are solely those of the Eagle Lake Improvement Association.

We developed the following vision statement for this community-inspired initiative:

The goal of the Eagle Lake Protection Program is to make fundamental changes to Eagle Lake and its watershed to enhance the enjoyment of the lake for current and future generations.

The early phase of the project is focused on gathering and analyzing water and sediment samples on a regular basis, most importantly when large rain events take place. Costs for this phase are more easily controlled, and will largely be covered by the ELIA, along with restricted donations from the community, support from our lake partners, and grants from the DNR.

Restricted donations are monies set aside for a particular purpose as a result of designated giving. They are permanently restricted to that purpose and cannot be used for other expenses of the nonprofit. By contrast, unrestricted funds (such as membership dues) may be used for any legal purpose appropriate to the organization.

The ELPP Surface Water Action Team (SWAT) is about to begin its third year of weekly water sampling, probe data collection, summer sediment testing, and monitoring stream flow rates during major rain events. We extend our gratitude to these dedicated SWAT members:

Mike Heft, Manor

Tom Regan, Manor

Keith Potts, East Shore

Pat McGinnis, Island

Collecting three years of data and nutrient measurements is a time-intensive yet essential process for any lake improvement initiative. Patience is crucial, as this effort provides the comprehensive understanding needed to implement meaningful and lasting improvements. It can also strengthen our case and demonstrate the need for funding support from government agencies like the Wisconsin DNR.

Establishing Baselines: A multi-year dataset provides a clear understanding of the lake's current condition and natural fluctuations, which helps identify long-term trends rather than short-term anomalies.

Seasonal and Annual Variations: Nutrient levels and other environmental parameters can vary greatly between seasons and years due to factors like weather patterns, runoff, and biological activity.

Informed Decision-Making: Comprehensive data allows for evidence-based decisions when implementing improvement strategies, ensuring that efforts target the actual causes of issues rather than assumptions.

Evaluating Impact: Having historical data enables comparison and assessment of the effectiveness of any interventions applied, confirming whether the initiative is achieving its objectives.

Community and Stakeholder Trust: A thorough data collection process demonstrates due diligence and transparency, building trust with the community and stakeholders involved in the initiative.

During the second year of this multi-year initiative, we allocated $20,450 to fund the enhanced Eagle Lake Water Testing Program, with projected expenses for the third year expected to remain similar. Given the high number of impaired lakes across Wisconsin, the competition for grant funding remains exceptionally strong.

Securing private donations will once again be essential to sustaining these efforts.

We encourage the entire community to come together in making a meaningful difference for the quality of Eagle Lake, and we sincerely appreciate your consideration of this important donation.