Welcome to CHAPTER 7 of our educational series,
"Ten Things You Should Know About Eagle Lake’s Environmental Challenges."
Knowledge-Driven Action
The Eagle Lake Protection Program (ELPP) was launched in 2023 in response to growing concerns among residents about the lake’s declining water quality—a trend that has persisted for over three decades. Recognizing the need for informed and effective action, we have committed to a three-year data collection effort to quantify nutrient loads and pinpoint their sources, whether from the two inlet streams, legacy phosphorus in the sediments, or a combination of both. Patience is key, as knowledge-driven decisions are essential to ensuring that interventions are both effective and do not inadvertently worsen conditions. Due to the known complexity of this work, we sought guidance from Dr. Marcel Dijkstra, an expert in water quality, whose insights will help us chart a responsible path forward. Through numerous site visits and close collaboration with the ELPP team, Dr. Dijkstra has gained a deep understanding of Eagle Lake and has shared his belief that we have several reasons for optimism.
- Chuck Glover, ELIA President
Reasons For Optimism
Small Watershed
Eagle Lake has a relatively small watershed, covering just 7 square miles—a significant advantage when it comes to future land management. With fewer landowners and less land to oversee, management efforts can be more streamlined and effective. Additionally, the lake's compact watershed may make it an appealing candidate for future Wisconsin DNR water research and grant funding. For perspective, Lake Winnebago’s watershed in Appleton spans over 1,200 square miles, presenting far greater complexities in management and restoration efforts.
Only Two Primary Inlets
Eagle Lake has only two primary inlets, where water runoff enters the lake—an advantage for future management efforts. With fewer entry points, potential treatments like iron-enhanced sand filters, which are both costly to install and maintain, can be strategically placed with greater efficiency. This limited number of inlets simplifies monitoring and intervention, making targeted water quality improvements more feasible.
Active and Engaged Community
Eagle Lake benefits from two dedicated lake organizations, the Eagle Lake Management District and the Eagle Lake Improvement Association, along with a strong network of community volunteers who are actively researching solutions to improve lake health, beginning with comprehensive water testing. With ongoing engagement at both local and statewide levels, we aim to further raise awareness of our water quality concerns and environmental challenges, ensuring continued momentum toward effective solutions.
Thank you for visiting CHAPTER 7 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.
