Eagle Lake Protection Program
From the ELIA Board of Directors
 
We have completed the second year of ELIA's extensive, multi-year Eagle Lake Protection Program aimed at improving the quality of Eagle Lake.  This initiative functions similarly to a healthcare model, with the initial step being data collection.  Over the past two years, we've focused on gathering data through our ongoing collaboration with Dr. Marcel Dijkstra and the Environmental Research and Innovation Center (ERIC) at UW Oshkosh.
 
Our Surface Water Action Team (SWAT), consisting of board members and dedicated community members, conducts weekly water sampling, data collection, summer sediment testing, and monitors stream flow rates during major rain events.  We are pleased with the significant progress in our expanded water testing and analysis efforts.
 
As we move into our third year in 2025, the testing will establish a baseline ecology for the lake. Accurate assessment of the lake's ecology is crucial for determining the best interventions to enhance lake quality.  Although the issues are complex and data collection is time-consuming, our supporters are about to be rewarded with a comprehensive plan of action.
 
 
The Healthcare Model?  For Eagle Lake?  Yes!
 
Eagle Lake is suffering from an excess of phosphorus.  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 might wonder why the lake requires diagnostics when we already know the problem is too much phosphorus.  The reason is that we don't specifically know the source of the phosphorus.  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.
 
We have adopted this vision statement for the ELPP:
 
“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 first step in this multi-year project, the Eagle Lake Water Testing Program, has been ongoing for the first two years.  ELIA has renewed the contract with Dr. Marcel Dijkstra and the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh Environmental Research and Innovation Center to assist us and provide technical expertise in the process.
 
 
We urge the entire lake community to join us in positively impacting the quality of Eagle Lake!
 
Project Vision Statement
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.
How Will We Fund This?
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 and support from our lake partners.
Restricted Donations
For year 2 of this multi-year effort, we budgeted $20,450 to cover the expanded Eagle Lake Water Testing Program.  With our goal to raise $5,450 in private donations we had planned to cover the remainder ourselves by tapping into our financial reserves.
 
Click here to see how we're doing!
 
We urge the entire lake community to join us in positively impacting the quality of Eagle Lake, and we thank you for considering this special donation.