Newly Introduced Legislation Threatens Our Lakes
Our mission guides us as a board and organization, always reminding us of our commitment to protect, preserve and improve the natural resources around us. So when new recreational uses of our lakes emerged – wakesurfing and wakeboarding – we took time to research the design of wake boats and the potential impacts of wake […]
2015 Middle Lock/Dam and Mooney Dam Repairs
During the summer of 2015, both Bayfield County’s Middle Lock and Dam on the Eau Claire River between Upper and Middle Eau Claire Lakes, and Douglas County’s Mooney Dam located where the Eau Claire River drains Lower Eau Claire Lake’s Mooney Bay, underwent significant repairs. Both dams were originally constructed of logs to impound and […]
July 11, 2016 Storm Brings Flooding to Area
On the night of July 11, a severe rainstorm struck the Eau Claire Lakes Area, saturating woodlands, farms, lake properties and communities from Hayward to the Ashland area and Lake Superior overnight. The next day we awakened to damage from 10 to 13 inches of rain that washed out roads, raised lake levels so high […]
USDA Issues Warning Regarding Unsolicited Seeds Mailed from China
Jill Jacoby, Douglas County AIS Coordinator, reports there have been people in our area who have received unsolicited mailings from China containing seeds. Residents in all 50 states have received these mailings and USDA officials are advising people to not plant the seeds, which are unknown and could be invasive species or be harmful to […]
Lock Between Middle and Lower is Closed for Repairs
The lock between Middle and Lower Eau Claire Lakes is now closed for repairs due to seepage issues. The dam alongside the lock was originally constructed of logs to impound and propel felled logs downstream during the late 1800s. It was called Smith Dam. At the outlet from Lower Eau Claire Lake was another log dam, […]
FOECLA Awarded 2nd Healthy Lakes & Rivers Grant!
We are proud to announce that we have been awarded our second Healthy Lakes & Rivers grant from the DNR! Our application on behalf of area property owners was fully-funded. We will administer $10,000 for shoreline improvement projects this year and next. The projects will include rain gardens, infiltration and diversion practices, fish sticks, and […]
LEEP Featured on Live! from North Woods and Waters Oct. 25 7-8pm
Our Lake Ecology Education Program (LEEP) will be featured on Live! from North Woods and Waters on October 25. Christine Neff and Melissa Kjelvik will discuss how LEEP engages local youth to launch them on a positive lifelong relationship in environmental stewardship. A comprehensive lake ecology education program aligned with Wisconsin state standards, LEEP’s goal […]
Fireworks? Don’t Forget the Permit!
With the cancellations of “Good Neighbor Days” in Gordon and the Fourth of July parade and fireworks in Barnes this year, residents and guests who wish to display fireworks on their property (owned or rented) are reminded to contact their town clerk for a fireworks permit. There are public displays scheduled in the Hayward area […]
New Lake Brochures with Valuable AIS Info Now Available!
Visitors and property owners alike will benefit from three brochures recently published by the Town of Barnes. The brochures are tailored to Tomahawk/Sand Bar, Upper Eau Claire and Middle Eau Claire lakes and provide information on boating safety and preventing the spread of aquatic invasive plants. Of particular interest is information on which invasive(s) are […]
Boating Safety Brochure Now Available!
Check out our new boating safety brochure! In addition to information on boating laws, the brochure provides practical suggestions for taking care of our lakes and their sandy soils, which are particularly vulnerable to shoreline erosion and plant displacement from boat wakes. To download and view our brochure, just click on ‘Water Safety’ at the […]