December 2017
Mathias/Lesczynski Water Quality Award Winners
January 2017
2017 Water Quality Award
LWQIA Donation to AIS Grant
Winnebago Lakes System Now Has a Coordinator
February 2016
Water Quality Award
Urban Waters Learning Network
Supple's Marsh Water Quality Testing
More Goby News
Trailer for New Movie Felled
November 2015
Winnebago Waterways: Working Together to Advance Lake Management
LWQIA Snapshot Day 2015 and Photo Contest
Goby Timeline
April 2015
Total Maximum Daily Loads
Wisconsin Budget Cuts
Annual River Cleanup
Asian Crazy Worm
Algae Bloom Fuel More Algae
Creek Divides North America
April 2014
Lake Winnebago Winter Conditions
Clean Sweep
Lake Winnebago Clean Waters Project
Lake Sturgeon
Shoreland Restoration: A Growing Solution
Historic News of Lake Winnebago
February 2014
Shore Line Demonstration Project
Rain Gardens
A Milwaukee Project
Green Bay Dead Zones
Lake Winnebago and White Bass
Historic News of Lake Winnebago
December 2013
Dredging Lakeside Park
Fish Line Receptacle Project Update
Silver Carp
Jumping Sturgeon
Rare Blue Walleye in Lake Winnebago
October 2013
Lake Levels Above Target This Summer
Lake Winnebago Outlook-August 21, 2013
August 2013
Shoreline Fires
Fallen Trees in Water
Status of Shoreland Protection
Potpourri
A Floating Solar Power Plant
Global Positioning Survey of Lake Winnebago
2013 Wisconsin Lakes Partnership Convention archives online
June 2013
Lake Winnebago and the Coast Guard
Water Quality Tests in Summer 2012 show Winnebago to be "Eutrophic"
Zebra Mussel Monitoring and Control
April 2013
Five County Lake Project Presentation
Fish Line Receptacles
What Are Zebra Mussels
Membership
Presentations
Annual Meeting
Cleanup Day
The Lake Winnebago Quality Improvement Association is a non-profit organization striving to
improve the water quality of Lake Winnebago, for the betterment of the lake's natural habitat as well as for public recreational use.
Our association takes action on lake quality issues through education, communication, and social fund raising meetings for
members and guests, and promotes cooperation among governmental units, interested organizations, and the public.
Latest News
"Kiss the Ground," a Documentary
Published: November 17, 2021
"Kiss the Ground, a documentary about healthy soils, is a must see for anyone interested in heathy soils and global warming."
LK, LWQIA Board Member
A healthy soil means healthy plants and healthy plants means healthy humans. It is critical for our survival to maintain healthy soils.
Plowing healthy soils releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere contributing to global warming and increasing soil erosion. Plant biodiversity is critical to maintaining a healthy soil and healthy soil microorganisms.
Composting is a means of carbon capture and something we can do at home with a little planning.
Visit https://kissthegroundmovie.com/ to see the video. The website affords options for viewing it, including streaming on Netflix or renting for $1 from Vimeo.
Pipe Creek Watershed and Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
Published: September 25, 2021
The Pipe Creek Watershed in the northeast portion of Fond du Lac County has seen a significant amount of phosphorous runoff into Lake Winnebago over the last couple of years. Dairy farms account for 71% of the land usage in the watershed. This project, funded by the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, is challenging two farmers, Chad Tasch and Dave Simon, to implement continuous no-till, cover crops, and low disturbance manure injection on 225 acres each for three years. These practices best reduce the risk of runoff and erosion, but they are new to this area and require experimentation and economic risk to accomplish the desired environmental outcomes. This project is done in collaboration with the Fond du Lac Land and Water Conservation Department, Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance, and Outagamie Land Conservation Department.
LWQIA's 2020 Agricultural Award Presented to Dale and Denise Theel of Greendale Farms
Published: September 1, 2021
The LAKE WINNEBAGO QUALITY IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION (LWQIA) presented the 2020 Mathias/Lesczynski Conservation Award at Breakfast on the Farm at LaClare Goat Farm on June 27. The award is named after long time employee of the Fond du Lac County Land Conservation department Lynn Mathias and ARCS conservationist Erv Lesczynski for their work with Fond du Lac County farmers to prevent soil erosion. The 2020 award was presented to Dale and Denise Theel of Greendale Farms of Fond du Lac. The award is for $1000.00.
Dale worked with his father for years before taking over ownership of the farm on his father's retirement in 1983. Currently he and Denise operate 650 acres of no-till corn, soybeans and winter wheat. When assuming management of the farm Dale realized the savings of soil and time they would make by no-till planting and by the early 1990's their operation was 100% no-till. Dale admits that the early years were a time of experiment and trust as there were few other farmers to ask questions of for guidance.
As part of their efforts to improve their land, the Theels started planting cover crops about 10 years ago and planting into the growing crop (known as planting green) about 7 years ago.
Over the years Dale has been involved in the community by serving as a Town Board member for the Town of Empire, serving on the USDA Farm Service Agency County Committee and now serving as the at-large member of the FDL County Land Conservation Committee, which he currently chairs. Dale has worked to start the FDL County Farmers for Healthy Soil and is a member of Between the Lakes farmers group helping to teach others from his experiences.
It was with pleasure that LWQIA presented the Mathias/Lesczynksi award to the Theels for their dedication to the improvement of our land and water.
Congratulations to Dale and Denise Theel!
Diverse Forages for Dairy Operations
Published: September 1, 2021
Josh Hiemstra was a 2020 recipient of the Mathias/Lesczynski Water Quality Award. He did an interview on how he is using cover crops and soil health to add financial returns to his farm. See the full article here.
LWQIA brings Fish Tales to the AG Showcase
Published: March 7, 2021
Lake Winnebago Quality Improvement Association took part in a non-traditional AG Showcase amid the coronavirus pandemic. As an alternative to the traditional event, the Agri-Business Council decided to still educate the consumer through a bag full of educational materials, flyers, coupons, brochures, packaged food samples and agri-business swag.
LWQIA offered its own fish tale in the form of a handy informational piece that describes our organization and the work that we do throughout the community, especially honoring farmers that take extra measures to reduce nutrient runoff with the Mathias-Lesczynski Water Quality Award, all nicely wrapped around a box of Swedish Fish.
The 250 sampler bags were sold for $20 each. Monies raised through the promotion help to support agriculture education throughout Fond du Lac County. The council is looking to host the Ag Showcase on March 5, 2022.
Adopt-A-Storm Drain
Published: November 11, 2020
Mathias/Lesczynski Water Quality Award Winner
Published: Oct. 5, 2020
Robert and Josh Hiemstra of Brandon were the recipients of the annual Mathias/Lesczynski Water Quality Award for 2020. The Hiemstra’s have been growing cover crops on their family’s dairy farm for over a decade.
Cover crops are gaining popularity among farmers and landowners thanks to the many benefits that can be achieved. These include reduced nitrogen and phosphorus loads entering water bodies improving water quality, increased soil organic matter, improved soil health, reduced soil erosion and expanded grazing and forage acres.
The Mathias/Lesczynski Water Quality Award recognizes farm management practices that help protect surface water from runoff of sediments, nutrients and chemicals into rivers, streams and especially Lake Winnebago.
In the accompanying video, the Hiemstras show us how they utilize cover-crops to extend their forage inventory and improve soil health and fertility.
LWQIA Yearly Report 2019-2020
Published: August 6, 2020
Maintain Lakeside West Native Garden Display. We currently are in contact with the city for additional signage.
Maintain Fish line Receptacles at various boat launches throughout Fond du Lac County. One receptacle was hit by a lawnmower. Larry will check about adding a post to reattach it.
Created and posted on our website the “Lake Friendly Lawn Care” brochure.
Participated in the city’s kick-off of the “Adopt-A-Storm Drain” initiative that was held at the library.
Helped sponsor and set up an informative table at the Winnebago Park meeting on water quality on the east shore of Lake Winnebago. 122 were in attendance.
Supplied letter in support of the Pipe Creek watershed grants application.
LWQIA Board member, Alan Weir, continues to be a member of the Steering Team of the Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance. County representatives, area non-profits, and community members work together on the Steering Team to set the strategic direction for project initiatives and to ensure progress in efforts such as lake management planning in the Winnebago System.
Participated in public educational events. Unfortunately, because of COVID-19 the majority of the activities had been canceled. We did have a booth at the Agricultural Showcase on March 4 and promoted Adopt-A-Storm Drain.
Awarded a farm with the Mathias-Lesczynski Water Quality Award. We are still working on the new recipient’s acceptance of the award. A plaque was created with past winners. Because of COVID-19, we have not been able to officially hang the plaque or have any photo opportunities.
Support and assist in sponsoring field days for the Fond du Lac County Demonstration Farm Network, of which three farms in the county are partnering.
Members of LWQIA toured the Fond du Lac Wastewater Treatment & Resource Recovery Facility (WTRRF) and were able to see the ANAMMOX® process, a cost-effective and sustainable way of removing ammonium from effluents and ammonia from waste gas.
Alan Weir, LWQIA Board Member, Report on Winnebago Waterways and Volunteer Opportunities
Published: August 6, 2020
The Lake Management has been through its first round of approval through the WI DNR. The public comment period ended on 31 July. Once those are added to the plan, it will go for final approval at the DNR.
Once the TMDL plan is approved by the EPA and WI DNR sends out requirements, point sources (like our water treatment plant) will have 5 years to comply with any new requirements for discharge water quality.
There is a 9 key elements plan related to the lake management plan that is being completed separately. This second document will go to the EPA. It contains more information than needed in the LMP. It is separate so that the LMP could go forward sooner. I am not sure how this relates to the TMDL plan. By getting a 9 key element plan completed, more federal level grants become available.
FWWA enlisted the help of congressman Gallagher (district 8, north of us) to lobby the Army Corps to complete a hydrology study of the watershed. More for flood control, but should also be applicable to improving water quality.
The DNR was unable to staff its long-term water quality sampling study this year. The FWWA is providing the manpower to do the sampling, the DNR is paying for the lab work.
Paul Tollard said we have two grants for the Pipe Creek area. There are 2 farms working over the next 3 years to implement no till and cover crops and be demonstration farms. This incorporates 450 acres of farmland.
The spring Lake Winnebago water levels were above target. It has been difficult for the Corps of Engineers to meet water levels during spring runoff.
There is an aquatic plant study being conducted in Sunset Bay of Lake Buttes des Morts. They have large numbers of plants that can impede navigation. The results of this study can be applied in other areas of the Lake that have heavy plant growth.
UW-Oshkosh has received a grant through the National Science Foundation tying sociology and phosphorus levels.
There is a new intern at the FWWA named Mason who may send out information.
There are state grants to help shoreline property owners improve shoreline habitat.
The steering committee has three members-at-large positions that will become annual positions that may be renewed. There are two openings this year. I think it has been valuable for the LWQIA to have a member on that committee and we should continue having representation with the FWWA.
August 22 is Clean-up Day for Lake Winnebago. Information can be found at https://secure.qgiv.com/event/fwap2p/. There are two locations for Fond du Lac, Lakeside Park and Lakeside Park West.
FDL Adopt a Storm Drain Program
Published: November 11, 2019
LWQIA is helping to promote the City of Fond du Lac's new "Adopt a Storm Drain" program. The program will help reduce harmful runoff into Lake Winnebago.
2019 Lawn Care Brochure
Published: November 11, 2019
Design by Renee George
Seeking Comments
Published: October 27, 2019
The Winnebago Waterways program is seeking comments on drafts for the master plan being developed for the Lake Winnebago system. The working drafts that are nearing their final stage are now available for the public to access, review, and comment online. The webpage will be updated with new documents as they become available.
Please help us share the webpage widely. The more public awareness we can build the better.
Ongoing Projects
Lakeside Park West Garden
Published: May 10, 2014
One of the Lake Winnebago Clean Waters Project's efforts is the creation of a native plant demonstration garden in Fond du Lac's
Lakeside Park West. For information on the garden and to volunteer to help, visit
www.lakesidewestgarden.com.
In the fall of 2013, the Lake Winnebago Quality Improvement Association of Fond du Lac County (LWQIA) initiated a Fond du Lac
area-wide campaign to reduce harmful runoff into Lake Winnebago.
New Receptacles Help Fishermen Recycle Unwanted Line
Published: August 20, 2013
Chris Anderson and Matthew Dudarenke install a receptacle at Lakeside Park West.
People fishing on Lake Winnebago now have an easy way to dispose of old or unwanted fishing line. Ten fish line receptacles have been placed around the southern end of the lake in an effort to keep the lake clean and safe for wildlife and people using it.
Chris Anderson designed the receptacles from PVC pipe donated by JF Ahern as part of his Eagle Scout project. Fellow scouts from Troop 705 of North Fond du Lac helped with the construction and installation. The project was sponsored by the Lake Winnebago Quality Improvement Association.
Fishing line, or monofilament, is typically non-degradable and lasts about 600 years. Abandoned fishing line injures or kills fish, birds and other wildlife.
Collection bins are located at the following launch sites:
Black Wolf
Hwy 45 Wayside
(3) at Lakeside Park West (Supple Marsh)
(2) at Lakeside Park East
Columbia Park in Calumet
Fisherman's Road in Taycheedah
Wolf Lake
Chris discusses the placement of labels with Larry Kent.
Chris Anderson is joined by fellow Scouts to work on his
Eagle Scout project, including (from left) John Fuchs,
Matthew Dudarenke, Mike Fuchs, Jordon Friend, Kurt Weir,
and Patrick Weir. The Scouts are from Troop 705 of North
Fond du Lac.
Upcoming Meetings
LWQIA Board Meetings
All Board meetings are at 7 PM on the first Wednesday of each month in the EOC (Emergency Operating Center) in the basement of the
Fond du Lac City/County Building. The public is invited to attend.