Big Cedar Lake PRD
AIS Coordinator
The PRD generally holds their monthly meeting on the third Wednesday of the month at their building on Gonring Drive. At the meeting on September 21st, the DNR Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) coordinator for Washington and Waukesha counties, Amanda Schmitz, spoke about recent activity.
- DNR intern spent 100 hours surveying Big Cedar for invasive species
- No new invasive species were found
- Two DNR studies this summer showed we do NOT have, but other lakes around us have
- Starry Stonewart
- New Zealand Mudsnail
- Faucet Snail
- Amanda can be reached by email: Schmitz@washcowisco.gov.
Lake Debris
Last month a property owner sent email to the PRD commissioners suggesting that the current littering ordinance is not adequate. There were reports of some residents having fireworks from their pier or raft and then dumping remains in the lake prompted the review of the ordinance. The old ordinance lists a few items that should not be deposited in the lake. The commissioners agreed the list was incomplete. The commissioners approved a revised the ordinance expanding the list to include bottles, cans, organic and inorganic trash, essentially any and all forms of waste/trash. The fines for the littering offenses are governed by statutes that mean the fine can be significant.
At the meeting on Wednesday, a property owner from the South end of the lake showed pictures of large collection of leaves on the lake surface just offshore. A second picture showed the pile of leaves collecting on the shoreline at his home. He described how every year the prevailing fall wind from the Northeast pushes the leaves on the lake surface to his shore. Some just fell from the trees, but too many are due to residents raking and/or blowing leaves off their lawn into the lake. The leaves add phorphorus and nitrates that are not good for the lake. The decaying leaves create a “muck” destroying vegetation and leading to a “soft” bottom.
Please DO NOT dump leaves and other yard waste into the lake. The POA hopes all residents share our desire to keep the lake as clean and clear as possible. Anyone dumping debris of any type in the lake is not practicing common sense and good lake stewardship. Property owners along the lake do not want the sediment and material decay that occurs when leaves and other debris float along the lake and then sink.
The primary goals of the POA are the protection and preservation of Big Cedar Lake. Thus, the POA is very concerned about any leaves, debris, and yard waste going into the lake. The new PRD ordinance outlaws dumping any type of materials in the lake. Both the Town of Polk and the Town of West Bend have yard waste collection sites. We hope everyone will take the appropriate care in their leaf and yard pickup. If you see neighbors dumping leaves in the lake, please advise them (nicely) of the harm to the lake and warn them that there is an ordinance and stiff fines if caught doing it.
Slow-No-Wake Channel Lone Island to West side of Big Cedar
Big Cedar Lake, as well as many other Wisconsin lakes, has a slow-no-wake ordinance for all motorized watercraft within 200 ft of shoreline. We believe the 200 ft rule helps protect the shoreline aquatic plants and minimize shoreline erosion. It helps protect and preserve our lake.
There is less than 400 feet between Lone Island the Western shore of Big Cedar. Thus, the entire channel is a slow-no-wake area. The Big Cedar Property Owners Association sent a letter to the PRD suggestion slow-no-wake buoys be put at both ends of the channel between Lone Island and Western shore of Big Cedar. Lone Island has been experiencing shoreline erosion for several years. There is traffic, especially personal watercraft, that go through the channel at speeds sufficient to create a wake. The PRD board indicated they talked about such action last spring. The board agrees, many boaters may not know the rule is 200 ft from shore. In addition, it is hard to judge that distance across the flat lake surface. The board agreed to go ahead and place markers (buoys) for next season. It will require getting a permit from the DNR for each buoy.
Lake Regulations
Two of the commissioners (Dave Baldus and Matt Haldemann) have been working on the preparation of new 3×5 laminated cards with a listing of the boating regulations. The plan is to mail one to all property owners and also have a significant supply to be available to boaters at the public launch. That will aid in communication to many boaters who may not be clear about the boating rules on Big Cedar.
POA Director
Recently we announced two new POA directors for West Lake Drive, Dale Thoma and Lynn BieseCarroll. This month we have another new director. Rob Perry has agreed to be our new director for Highland Park Drive. We are excited to have Rob on our team.
Cedar Lake Conservation Foundation
The Cedar Lake Conservation Foundation (CLCF) is having a run/walk on October 16, 2022. The POA is a strong supporter of CLCF. Their mission and work directly benefit the property owners of Big Cedar Lake. We are happy to be partners with CLCF to benefit Big Cedar. The POA hopes many Big Cedar residents will support the CLCF by participating in the fun event. The information about the run is shown below.
CLCF’s Race for Open Space
5K Trail Run, 10K Trail Run, and 1 Mile Trail Walk
Get outdoors and help CLCF in its inaugural Race for Open Space! On Sunday, October 16, 2022, CLCF will be hosting a 5K trail run, 10K trail run and 1 mile walk at the Fox Hill Nature Preserve. We hope that you will bring your family and join us out at the Preserve for this fun fall event.
Your participation will help support CLCF’s mission to protect the natural environment of the Cedar Lakes region. Every registration counts and will help CLCF in its race to protect open space!
All proceeds benefit the Cedar Lakes Conservation Foundation, a 501(c)(3) land trust. We hope to see you on the trails!
WHAT: 5K Trail Run, 10K Trail Run, and 1 Mile Trail Walk
WHERE: 4214 Sleeping Dragon Road, West Bend, WI 53095
WHEN: October 16, 2022 at 9:00 am
All 5K and 10K runners will receive a participation award. The top male and female finishers will receive a special additional award.
The course is not suitable for dogs or strollers.
Sign up
Register – Run for Open Spaces
West Lake Drive
We are aware that the state is considering some changes to Hwy 144. One of the concerns is the junction with West Lake Drive. The warning signs help but the intersection s still dangerous for traffic turning onto Hwy 144 from West Lake Drive. One of the suggestions was to make West Lake Drive a one-way street South to North. The Town of West Bend advised DOT planners that they did not think that was a good idea. The plans and options are being considered and they may include some grading changes to the road. The plans are for future consideration, there is no budget or schedule that we are aware of.