The Lake Connection archives
Browse through past editions of our quarterly member (join) publication, The Lake Connection.
We have included a list of the articles contained in each issue next to the downloadable file. You will need Adobe Acrobat reader (download available at right) to view these files. Some archived articles are available as individual PDF files.
Please note that the PDF files have been optimized for web viewing. The Lake Connection is published on 11 x 17 paper and may not print correctly on home printers. Articles available as individual PDFs can be printed on standard letter (8 1/2 by 11) paper.
No part of The Lake Connection may be reprinted or distributed without permission of the Wisconsin Association of Lakes. Wisconsin Association of Lakes member lake groups interested in reprinting articles or excerpts of articles may request electronic copies by e-mailing publications @ wisconsinlakes.org. Reprinted articles must credit appropriate authors, cite the issue (volumn, edition) that the article originally appeared, and note the article was published in Wisconsin Association of Lakes quarterly publication, The Lake Connection.
2009 editions
Winter Fall Summer Spring
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Governnor signs phosphorus lawn fertilizer bill: new law to take effect next year
- Northwest Wisconsin Lakes Conference is June 19
- The President's message
- Notes from the office
- WAL raffle proceeds to support lake policy program
- The Capital Report
- Piers: what you need to know for 2009
- Keeping lakefront property in the family
- Eurasian watermilfoil can depress shoreline property values
- Shallow lake management case study: Fox Lake
- Geneva Lake Conservancy watershed education program: groundwater models in the classroom
- What you can do to protect loons on your lake
- What to do if you believe your property has not been accurately assessed
- Group publishes history of Lake Mildred
- The smart prevention challenge
- Blue-green algae blooms: health risks and precautions
- Working with the news media
- Thinking of creating a website for your lake group?
- Preserving our lakes through positive food choices
- Congratulations 2009 Wisconsin Lakes Stewardship Award winners
- 2009 Wisconsin Lakes Partnership photo contest winners
Top 2009 editions
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- New session, new action: phosphorus lawn fertilizer bill moving quickly
- Conservation priorities important to lakes
- The President's Message
- New IRS requirement applies to non-profits with incomes of $25,000 or less
- Notes from the Office
- 2009 Convention to focus on Aquatic Invasive Species
- The Capitol Report
- How does a bill become law? The legislative process
- Loonwatchers... past and present
- What future can we expect for Wisconsin's ecosystems?
- "The Vanishing Present" explores a changing Wisconsin
- For readers ages 8-12, check out the following books
- Buffalo Lake's comprehensive lake management plan leads to new activities and improvements
- Social marketing campaign aims to encourage property owners to restore lakeshore habitat
- Wetland degredation: environmental disturbance and invasive species
- How invasive species are made: disturbed habitats and evolution
- Fish stocking in Wisconsin
- Why are my taxes so high?
Top 2008 editions
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- Four misconceptions regarding Wisconsin's waters
- Great Lakes Compact signed into law
- The President's message
- Wisconsin Lakes Convention: Call for posters!
- Notes from the office
- Wisconsin Lakes Stewardship Awards: nominate a deserving person or group today!
- The Capitol Report
- Why lake levels matter
(download article as PDF 2.14 MB)
- Management techniques for shallow lakes
(download article as PDF 1.71 MB)
- Rocks and trees and birds that squawk in flight
- Looking for a lake-related gift for a "little person?"
- Native plants re-introduced as part of purple loosestrife management program
- Kids don't float program launches in Shell Lake
- High phosphorus levels in northwestern Wisconsin naturally occuring
- Lake District works with local businesses to promote p-free lawn fertilizer
- Effects of phosphorus on Lake Sinnissippi
- The "know what you've got" approach to wetlands protection
- Being a local advocate for wetlands
- Watch your water gardens! Aquatic invasive species can spread from garden to lake
(download article as PDF 1.71 MB)
- Future changes in climate
- Why are my taxes so high?
Top 2008 editions
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- Public comments sought on rules: AIS grants and invasive species classification rules
- Blue-green algal blooms and potential health risks (Article available as PDF 462 KB)
- The President's Message: Good-bye and hello!
- Notes from the Office: Different waters, similar challenges
- Introducing new WAL Board members
- The Capitol Report
- The Nature of Lakes (Part II)
- Selecting the right consultant for your project
- Ask a Limnologist: Why should we care about climate change? A watery view
Part II: Impacts on water levels, flow, and fishes
(Article available as PDF 488 KB)
- Project preserves centerpiece of Cloverleaf Lakes
- Gold Award for Girl Scouts educating boaters about AIS
- Survey examines property owners' perceptions: finds lack of awareness about p-free lawn fertilizer and benefits of buffers
- COOL project keeps Oneida lakes cleaner
- Leaking septic systems a hidden source of nutrient pollution
(Article available as a PDF 1.02 MB)
- An overview of shallow lake ecology: Part I: characteristics of shallow lakes
- Town of Delta and Iron River lakes survey estimates citizen perceptions and reactions to AIS
- Wisconsin waters and climate: Part III: How climate change may effect the seasonal cycle of the surface water balance
- Meet Ted Ritter
- Congratulations 2008 Wisconsin Lakes Partnership photo contest winners
Top 2008 editions
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- Wisconsin's new pier regulations: everything you need to know for 2008
- Attorney General finds counties can pass ordinances to regulate aquatic invasive species
- Lake management planning workshop
- Northwest conference features learning, entertainment
- Welcome Patrick! A new extension lakes specialist
- The Capitol Report: Legislative session ends with few results for water watchers
- Phosphorus bill fails to clear Assembly
- Lake Tomah aims to improve water quality with drawdown
- Ask a Limnologist: Why should we care about climate change? A watery view
Part I:Climate change, ice loss, and Wisconsin lakes
(Article available as PDF 637 KB)
- County lake group sponsors "Day at the Lake" for elected officials
- Developing a mini scientific investigation for lakes
- Understanding the people as well as the resource: Using a community-based approach to conservation implementation
- Grant helps engage students in AIS, lake learning
- Wisconsin waters and climate: historical changes and possible futures
Part II: Historical changes in Wisconsin water levels and streamflows
- The Nature of Lakes (Part I)
- How well do lawns filter runoff? Dig deep for the answer
- Frequently Asked Questions about proposed changes to shoreland zoning rules (NR 115)
- By canoe and snowshoe: fishing with Bill Hoppe
- 2008 Wisconsin Lake Stewardship Award winners
- Meet some of our aquatic invasive species coordinators
Top 2008 editions
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- Senate passes phosphorus free lawn fertilizer bill
- Bayfield County passes AIS transport ordinance
- The President's message: Yvonne Feavel, leaving a lasting legacy
- Notes from the office: Celebrating 2007 and looking forward to 2008
- Knocking at the Gates: February 16 workshop to focus on aquatic invasive species
- The Capitol Report: Bills and rules important to lakes move ahead
- Lakes in court: Cranberries are back on the table
- Conservation Lobby Day issues important to lakes
- Is your community planning to protect your drinking water? A new website can help
- Town of Richfield groundwater planning
- Forestry practices in Wisconsin are successful in protecting water quality
- Ask a Limnologist: Low lake levels in northern Wisconsin and the relative roles of precipitation and evaporation
(Article available as a PDF 607 KB)
- Taking action: conserving a gem for future generations
- Learning about lakes through mini scientific investigations
Part II:How to example of developing an MSI
- Army national guard and DNR partner on Long Lake project
- Lake association energized to attack major lake problems
- Wisconsin waters and climate: historical changes and possible futures
Part I: Climate change in context, changes in lake ice
- Invasive mussels contributing to the rishing tide of Cladophora algae
- Study finds nutrient pollution drives frog deformities
- Peaceful waters: the quiet pleasures of a small lake
- Preliminary results from 2005-2006 Vilas County property owners survey
2007 editions
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- Legislators listen to phosphorus concerns: Senate committee holds hearing on SB 197
- Wisconsin's shoreland zoning rules benefit lakes, property owners
- The President's message: Preparing for annual meetings
- Notes from the office: Summer ends, challenges for our lakes won't
- Meet Erin Henegar, aquatic invasive species volunteer coordinator
- The Capitol Report: The budget barrier and bills beyond the budget
- How do our shoreland decisions affect property values, water quality, fisheries and wildlife
(Article available as a PDF 553 KB)
- Get the Lead Out! initiative aims to curb loon deaths from lead poisoning
- The land "behind" the lake: watersheds and lake water quality
(Article available as a PDF 639 KB)
- Friends, family, fun and...aquafirs!
- Looking for ideas to make learning about lakes fun for kids? Limited copies of Adopt-a-Lake manuals available
- Changing behavior on Lake Ripley using Community-based social marketing
- Are high capacity wells competing with lakes for groundwater? Initial study suggests maybe
- Groundwater rules (NR 820) in effect September 1: lakes largely left out
- The latest on Wisconsin's aquatic invasive animal species
- A tangled question: DNR scientists beinning to unravel Eurasian water milfoil secrets
- Understanding agriculture's impact on surface waters
- Lake level concerns trigger further groundwater study in Sheboygan County
- Lake Classification: an opportunity for local innovation in lake protection
(Article available as a PDF 577 KB)
2007 editions
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- Polluted runoff initiatives advance: statewide ban on phosphorus in lawn fertilizer and increased funding for runoff controls proposed
- Northwest Wisconsin lakes conference bigger and better!
- President's message: Our personal lake land ethic
- Citizen lake leaders protect lakes
- WAL welcomes new faces to the board of directors
- Lakes in Court: WAL asks Supreme Court to review lakeshore setback covenant case
- Minnesota's statewide lawn fertilizer law successful: state's evaluation shows law is effective, popular with consumers
(Article available as a PDF 560 KB)
- Future of Stewardship fund important to lakes
- Shoreland development density and impervious surfaces: affects on water resources, how much is too much for our lakes and streams?
(Article available as a PDF (863 KB)
- Managing stormwater runoff: using groundwater models to assess potential impacts on lake hydrology from and increase in infiltration and recharge
- Pewaukee students tackle phosphorus
- The Town of Plum Lake's signage initiative
- Measuring value or economic impact: using economics to communicate the value of the Lake Winnebago system
- Comparison of impacts of disturbed vs. natural shoreline on the aquatic plant community in west central Wisconsin lakes
- Assessing the quality of a lake's aquatic plant community
- Going bottomside: boating impacts on lakes
(Article available as a PDF 500 KB)
- Cloverleaf chain plans for future, EWM
- Late winter drawdown affects on two impoundments
- Framing the message: the use of values-based language to engage the public in lake management
(Article available as a PDF (464 KB)
- Loving water
- Congratulations 2007 Lake Stewardship award winners
2007 editions
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- Lawns green, lakes clean: statewide ban on phosphorus lawn fertilizer would benefit lakes
(Article available as a PDF 723 KB)
- DNR seeks to close gaps in invasive species laws: legislative proposals would improve AIS programs
- The President's Message: Living simply, living lake friendly
- Northwest Wisconsin Lakes Conference promises another great event
- Notes from the Office: What we all do, together, works
- Meet Julia Soloman, new AIS specialist
- The Capitol Report: The Budget has landed
- Lakes in court: nuisance action to abate nutrient pollution
- Governor's budget offers commitment to conservation: proposed $12 million for reducing polluted runoff will benefit lakes
- Shoreline development and mercury in fish: impacts on northern Wisconsin loons
- Ecological responses to fluctuating water levels
- Barnes' community solution to EWM
- Delavan Lake: 100 years to aquatic plant management
Part IV: Delavan Lake's fisheries
- Lake plan guides Lake Sinnissippi shoreland stablization, wetland restoration efforts
- Marion and her millpond
- Disturbance and invasions: protect the good, improve the not-so-good
(Article available as a PDF 715 KB)
- Lake Ripley restores wetlands, creates District preserve
- The Magical mystical loon
- Committed to shorelands: promoting water quality on northern shores
2007 editions
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- Rules to classify invasive species
- Are you an agent of change? 2007 Convention
- The President's message: Looking beyond the shore
- Wisconsin Lake Stewardship Awards: Who are the people in your neighborhood
- Notes from the Office: How will you become an Agent of Change?
- The Capitol Report: What does the Legislature hold for lakes?
- Lakes in Court: nuisances, pier challenges, and setbacks/covenants
- Evaluating the effects of nearshore development on lakes
(Article available as a PDF (565 KB)
- Phosphorus and phosphorus free lawn fertilizer
(Article available as a PDF (535 KB)
- County Conservation department assists lakes
- Delavan Lake: 100 years of aquatic plant managment
Part III: aquatic plant management efforts
- Lake learning and family fun: Kid's day a success!
- Gifting your lakeshore: protecting Wisconsin's wild lakes
- Property -based monitoring focus of the 2006 citizen-based monitoring conference
- Lake enthusiasts recognized for dedication to citizen monitoring
- Ask a Limnologist: How does winter road maintenance impact lakes?
(Article available as a PDF (507 KB)
- The impacts of construction site erosion on lakes and streams
- New stormwater ordinance protects Polk County waters
- Selecting a contractor for lake planning grant projects: Choosing carefully can make the difference between success and failure
2006 editions
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- Hilton v. DNR: A Victory for our lakes!
- Still no manure management rule revisions for largest farms
- The President's Message: Protecting lakes a year round effort
- Meet our new board members
- Notes from the office: Wisconsin's lakes are counting on all of us
- Shoreline fires: food for thought, food for algae
(Article available as a PDF)
- The Capitol Report: Issues important to Wisconsin lakes focus of candidate education effort
- WAL Board passes resolutions
- How has manure runoff affected lakes?
- Clean Boats, Clean Waters in action
- 100 years of plant management on Delavan lake
Part II: Changes in aquatic plants over time
- Mirror Lake Association celebrates 20th anniversary
- How A History of Kangaroo Lake came to be
- Minnesota's phosphorus free lawns helping lakes
- Ask a Limnologist: Internal phosphorus loading: the source from within
(Article available as a PDF 607 KB)
- What does a vanishing 'Up North' mean?
- The future of 'Up North' is up to us
- The value of natural shorelines
- Legislators want DNR to roll back protection for species
2006 editions
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- Rule revisions necessary to keep lakes manure free
- The President's Message: What makes Wisconsin lakes important?
- Notes from the Office: Politics over piers: our waters, but whose rights?
- Welcome new board members
- The Capitol Report: 2005 Legislative session disapoints most water watchers
- Protect lakes through the high-capacity well permit process
- Enjoy your pier this summer: what regulations apply now
- Girl Scouts combat purple loosestrife
- 100 years of plant management on Delavan lake
Part I: History of Delavan lake
- People of the Lakes: A Guide for Wisconsin Lake Organizations
- 2006 Wisconsin Lakes Partnership photo contest winners
- Communicating your concerns to your legislator
(Article available as a PDF 632 KB)
- Property tax credits result in improved water quality
- County government's role and working with your county
- County government in lake matters
- Taking proactive steps to deal with polluted runoff in your lake's watershed
- Amphibians and reptiles of Wisconsin lakes: opportunities for conservation
- Paddock Lake succeeds
- Clean Boats, Clean Waters: Mole lake Sokaogon Chippewa Community
- Developing a science-based lake protection plant: Case study Silver Lake, Barron County
- Improving secchi disk measurements
- Volunteer monitoring data important to future decisions
- Ask a Limnologist: How does agriculture impact water quality
- New mapping tool online
- Green trouble on the horizon: NEW invasive plants
- Target plants of the Invasive Plants of the Future project
- Manipulating coarse woody habitat: lessons learned
- Congratulations 2006 Lake Stewardship Award winners!
2006 editions
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- A long walk on the pier
- The President's Message: Lake Protection, our prehistoric obligation
- DNR values and relies on citizen monitor's lake data
- Notes from the Office: Protecting lakes is everyone's business
- Building a K-12 water education program
- The Capitol Report: Bill watch, legislation of interest
- Shoreland zoning in annexed and incorporated areas
- Lake leaders let legislators know they love their lakes: Conservation Lobby Day 2006 a success
- Recreational Boating Facilities grants: an opportunity for lake groups
- Lake Julia Stewardship project enters its fifth year studying, promoting lake health
- Reviving bass lake
- Shoreland restoration website: valuable tool for property owners
- Shoreland education success: grant helps lake group reach out
- Learning to love a lake
- Working together to protect our lakes
- The one, the only—Cletus
- Ask a Limnologist: Stocking, that was then, this is now
- What's an ORW and how do I know if my lake is one?
- What is the Conservation Congress?
- No wake buffer would improve public safety, protect shorelines
- Study measures boating impact on lakes, offers slow no wake zones as solution
2006 editions
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2005 editions
Fall Summer Spring
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- Pier rules move ahead: WAL's position
- The President's message: No substitute for timely lake citizen action
- Notes from the office: Water conflicts in our future?
- Using chemicals can harm lakes and wildlife: safely control invasive purple loosestrife
- The Capitol Report: Bill Watch Legislation of Interest
- Water funding: between a rock and a hard place
- Vast majority of piers will not need a state permit
- Consider adopting more protective local pier rules
- Protecting Wisconsin's environmental legacy: Governor Doyle announces Conserve Wisconsin Initiative
- Volunteers battle invasive species: Bayfield County lake groups act to stop EWM, others
- Riparian science or sales pitch? You need both to protect your lake!
- Twin Lakes hosts kid's day
- Lake Nancy fair a success!
- Foundation protects lake's character, water quality
- What is lake classification?
- Lake grants: a good investment for our lakes
- How does polluted runoff affect my lake?
- Phosphorus runoff threatens lakes: study shows lakes may not recover for a millennium
- Grassroots efforts key to lake protection
- Partnerships for watershed protection
- Long lake watershed planning project: towns and lake associations working together
- County standards protect water quality
- From paper to land: implementing Wisconsin's runoff rules
- Development affects link between forests, lakes
- New aquatic invasive species education handbook
2005 editions
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- Shoreland zoning rules (NR 115): public comment period extended until August 26
- Northewest Wisconsin Lakes Conference a success
- The President's message: A critical focus for local stewardship, new lake property owners
- Appreciating Lake Nancy
- Notes from the offiice: Public participation essential to health of Wisconsin lakes
- Aquatic invasive species focus of fall conference
- NALMS annual symposium comes to Madison
- The Capitol Report: Legislature moves budget to Governor
- Lakes in Court
- Making Wisconsin lakes safer
- Shoreland zoning rule (NR 115) revisions: WAL's position
- Waterfront developer supports Smart Growth
- 7000 opportunities to reach boaters: Three Lakes Waterfront Association's vigilance protects lakes
- Nelson lake combats invasive species: resort and property owners are first line of defense
- Partnership + stewardship = protection: Chippewa Islands Project's Moonshine Island phase nears completion
- Towards better effectiveness: working together for our lakes
- Proposed high capacity well may impact Lake Buellah: local lake groups oppose well site
- Securing our watersheds' long term health: lack of clean water threatens human security
- Whoa Millie!
- AIS grants useful tools
- Ask a Limnologist: How does groundwater affect my lake?
- Wisconsin's groundwater: here today, here tomorrow
- Small indications: Using aquatic invertebrates to measure water quality
- How rain gardens protect lakes
- Lake Leader named "Invader Crusader"
- WAL congratulates all 2005 Invader Crusaders
2005 editions
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- 2005 Northwest Wisconsin Lakes Convention coming to cable
- Land use and our lakes
- The President's Message: It is all about the tipping point
- WAL award recognized DNR water staff
- Mary Griggs Burke elected honorary WAL Board member
- Notes from the office: Protection of private property rights
- Waters of Washburn County
- The Capitol Report: State budget and bills of interest
- Lakes in Court: backlot owners claim big money in pier 'takings' case
- Public hearing phase begins in NR 115 Rule revision
- Permenant Act 118 rules effective May 1st
- Rule revisions related to piers progress
- Study proves lake's economic value
- Chippewa Conservancy projects protect lake habitats
- Recipe for glue: benefits of a county-wide approach
- Protecting Wisconsin's lakes, protecting Wisconsin's values
- Citizen partners help environmental enforcement
- Protecting lakes by protecting forests
- Wisconsin's strategy for wildlife species of greatest conservation need
- Study shows decline in non-game fish species
- Effects of pier shading on plants, fish, and insects
- The Legislative role in lake protection
- Lake organizations: the heart and soul of lake management
- Wisconsin NatureMapping
- Make a dream come true: West Wisconsin Land Trust helps protect Whitefish Lake
- Loon Lake Preservation Association protects shorelines through convenants
- Vilas County partnershop to battle aquatic invasive species
- DNR support for citizen-basec monitoring programs
- Perspectives on the Minnesota shallow lakes forum
- Perspectives on the Minnesota shallow lakes forum
- Ask a Limnologist: Is forest health connected to lake health
- Clean Boats, Clean Waters: what did we learn at the landings?
- Elmer Goetsch reflects on time spent on WAL board
- Tom Threlkeld notes positive changes at WAL
- Meet WAL's new board members
- Mandatory education for all boat operators: is this a good idea?
- On Golden Pond: young performers bring classic to life
- 2005 Wisconsin Lake Stewardship award winners
2005 editions
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