Office of Lakes & Watershed Home

Lakes & Watershed Commission's 2009 DRAFT Budget Recommendations

Click here to view recommendations.

Slow-no-wake Information & Updates

Current Slow-no-wake Restrictions

Click here to see current lake levels.

City of Madison Beach Information

Click here for an overview of Madison beaches.

2008 Better Lawns & Gutters Tour

See how rain gardens and native plants help our lakes and streams.

2008 Dane County Waters Champion Awards

The Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission has announced its 2008 Dane County Waters Champion Award recipients. The awards are given annually recognizing individuals, organizations, businesses, and youth that have made outstanding contributions towards the protection and improvement of Dane County's water resources. Click here to view the 2008 winners.

Announcing the Yahara Lakes Legacy Partnership

The Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission and staff at the Office of Lakes and Watersheds are part of an exciting emerging partnership effort to protect and improve the Yahara River chain of lakes, including Lakes Mendota, Monona, Wingra, Waubesa, and Kegonsa. Lake users, residents, and other stakeholders will be asked to provide input in this process to create a 'practical vision' for the future of the lakes as well as a realistic set of recommendations for making the vision a reality. Click here for more information.

Aquatic Plant Management Project in Turville Bay

Low-level, selective herbicide application and cutting of aquatic plants on Turville Bay, the southwest area of Lake Monona, began on April 23 as part of a cooperative research project to evaluate control methods for Eurasian water milfoil (an invasive aquatic exotic plant) and to restore native plant communities.

Eurasian water milfoil begins growing early in the year, and creates a dense growth canopy which shades out native plant species. Controlling Eurasian water milfoil early in the season may give an advantage to native plants.

Water quality and aquatic plants will be analyzed for three years, followed by two to three years of post treatment monitoring.

Click here to read the April 22, 2008 press release.

Blue-Green Algae

Click here to learn more about blue-green algae.

Join Dane Stewards

Join the Dane Stewards listserv to stay up to date on events and information regarding Dane County's water resources!

Ordinance on Coal Tar Sealants

The Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission's ordinance regulating coal tar sealants was adopted by the County Board, and is effective July 1, 2007. Click here for more information.

Water Body Classification Project

Learn about this project to develop policies to protect and improve the health of county lakes and streams. Submit your comments on the Draft Dane County Shoreland and Riparian Management Plan by July 14.