A PROPOSAL TO "SAVE THE LAKE"

History of Lake Montello

1. Type of Lake- Drainage Lake of 327 acres
2. Age of lake – over 125 yrs old
3. Research on drainage lakes longevity and outlook on control of weeds within DNR oversight

History of the types of interventions used to control weeds on Lake Montello

1. Use of weed harvester
2. Use of chemical herbicides to control
3. Use of drawdowns (last draw down in 2013). 3 drawdowns 2002-02; 2008-09; 2013-14
4. Never used dredging

What is Dredging?

Dredging is the act of removing silt and other material from the bottom of bodies of water.

Types: Mechanical: uses a bucket to scoop up sediment and move it to a barge or other container. Usually cheaper but loss of lake use for longer periods of time.

Hydraulic: vacuums sediment from the lake or river bed after it’s loosened with a drilling cutter head. Usually more expensive but less loss of lake use

Why should we consider dredging?

There is a large amount of sediment in the lake.

We have an obligation to maintain and improve the lake for not only our personal use but also for the citizens of Montello and future generations.

Drawdowns only offer temporary relief and could kill fish if performed incorrectly.

Weed Harvesting is not effective any longer. So shallow, too many weeds.

Property values will decrease due to decreasing ability to use the lake for recreational use

Dredging projects in the south and central Wisconsin area:


Madison: Yahara Chain of Lakes:
Type of dredging employed: Hydraulic dredging over several phases
Cost: 5 phases and very long period of time 10 to 15 million

Whitewater Lakes: Cravath and Trippee Lake
Type of dredging employed: Prolonged Draw down and dredging over a 2-3 yr period
Cost- approx. 1.3 million

Lake Redstone: is a man-made lake in Sauk County constructed in 1964, 612 acres

Type of dredging employed: Combination of mechanical and hydraulic

Cost: 3.5 million

How can we pay for the cost?

Follow Lake Redstone Protection District of using a tax levy that per state regulations is paid off over a 10 yr plan

So, what needs to be to start this process:

Formal committee appointment to work on a lake sedimentation study for the feasibility of dredging in Lake Montello

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO GET INVOLVED, PLEASE CONTACT:

Mimi Pierson
815-378-0317
Mpierson0869@gmail.com

Notice of Meeting

Notice of Meeting February 17th, 2024

Montello Lake District
Quarterly Meeting
Montello City Hall, Community Room
May 11th, 2024 at 10:00 am

Montello Lake District Quarterly Meeting at 10:00 am Montello City Hall, Community Room

The Montello Lake Inland Protection and Rehabilitation District will be having a commissioner’s meeting on May 11th, 2024 at 10:00 am. The meeting will be held at the Montello City Hall located at 20 Underwood Ave

The Montello Lake Inland Protection and Rehabilitation District will be having a commissioner’s meeting on February 17 th, 2024 at 10:00 am. The meeting will be held at the Montello City Hall located at 20 Underwood Ave.

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Pledge of Allegiance
  3. Roll Call
  4. Agenda
    • Motion to Approve 2-17-24 Agenda
    • Discussion
    • Vote
  5. Minutes 11-18-24 and addended minutes 12-18-24
    • Motion to Approve Minutes
    • Discussion
    • Vote
  6. Old Business
    • Dan Easter will be managing Workman’s Comp and Liability Insurance Coverage
    • Aquatic Plant Management Proposal for Professional Service from Wisconsin Lake & Pond Resource (a Jones Lake Management Partner)
      1. Chemical Nuisance Aquatic Plant treatment for 9.9 acres = $5,325
      2. Whole Lake Point Intercept Aquatic Plant Survey               = $3,750
      3. Updated Lake Management Plan                                        = $8,500
      4. Total Cost of Bid                                                                   $18,102.00
        • Discussion
        • Vote for approval
    • Discussion on District members Pier/Dock/Shoreline treatment for this year
        • Cost
        • Discussion
        • Vote
  1. New Business
    • Restocking Fish – Amendment to the annual budget to include restocking project
      1. Information from DNR
      2. Discussion
      3. Vote on adding Restocking fish to 2023-2024 budget
    • Job postings for Harvester Operator
      1. Discussion on how many to employ and pay rate
      2. Vote on pay rate for upcoming season
    • Update on Dam Repair
    • Review of Special Charges
    • Wisconsin Lake Convention in Stevens Point- April 10-12, 2024
    • Items for next quarterly Agenda
    • Date for next Quarterly meeting
  1. Public comment
  2. Adjour

Notice of Meeting
Montello Lake District
Annual Meeting
Montello City Hall, Community Room
September 9, 2023 at 10:00 am

 

    1. Herbicide Treatment applied June 26, 2023 for 2 acres only in addition to the homeowners who chose to have their personal piers/shoreline treated
      1. Original budget for 9.9 acres of which only 2 acres were treated
      2. Savings resulted in extra in budget to allow for Montello Lake District picnic
  • 2nd application was not performed due to the reduction of weed load this year
  1. New Business
    1. Non-binding bids are being obtained in order to provide the district with an estimate for the potential Dredging Project.
    2. Audit completed by Lisa Dunaway
    3. Aquatic Plant Management Plan will need to be obtained next year
  2. Annual Meeting Voting
    1. Commissioner’s stipend -Currently at $100 per meeting. Should it increase to $125?
      1. Discussion
      2. Ballot vote
    2. Treasurers Stipend –Currently at $1000. Should it increase to $1500?
      1. Discussion
      2. Ballot vote
    3. 2023-2024 MLIPRD annual assessment
      1. Propose no change- MIL rate at 1.5 mil
      2. Discussion
      3. 2023-2024 MLIPRD Annual Budget
  • Discussion
  1. Ballot vote
  1. 2023-2026 term- Commissioners Election
    1. Candidates – Sue Fichtel; Ronald Nelson, write in candidates?
    2. Ballot vote
  2. Permit for drawdown for winter 2025- Should we pursue?
    1. Discussion
    2. Ballot Vote
  3. Motion to Adjourn
Budget proposal 2023-2024