BERRY LAKE PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC.
PO BOX 2 CECIL, WI 54111
berrylakewi@gmail.com
PO BOX 2 CECIL, WI 54111
berrylakewi@gmail.com
ICE OFF - MARCH 24, 2021
ICE OFF!!! The rain last night melted off the rest of the ice along the south shore, and we're officially ice-free as of today. Berrylaker Mark D guessed today's date! This is the second earliest "Ice Off" date that we've ever recorded (2016 went ice free on March 22).
FYI our Ice-On date last fall was December 23rd, and that was the latest Ice On date recorded. So our lake was covered with ice for less time this past winter than ever before (since we've been recording that data). We'll have to see what that means for EWM growth, et. al.
And FYI our water level today is less than it was when the ice went off last year which is good news. The BLPOA will be monitoring the levels this spring and will continue working with the Town of Underhill regarding the no-wake ordinance; and we're all remaining cautiously optimistic that lake life can return to normal soon.
FYI our Ice-On date last fall was December 23rd, and that was the latest Ice On date recorded. So our lake was covered with ice for less time this past winter than ever before (since we've been recording that data). We'll have to see what that means for EWM growth, et. al.
And FYI our water level today is less than it was when the ice went off last year which is good news. The BLPOA will be monitoring the levels this spring and will continue working with the Town of Underhill regarding the no-wake ordinance; and we're all remaining cautiously optimistic that lake life can return to normal soon.
View from the boat landing March 24, 2021
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2020 FINAL AIS REPORT FROM ONTERRA
This final report on treatment for aquatic invasive species was completed by Onterra, and can be viewed and/or downloaded here:
This final report on treatment for aquatic invasive species was completed by Onterra, and can be viewed and/or downloaded here:
| AIS REPORT 2020 |
YEAR-END AIS CONTROL REPORTS by Onterra for 2019 and 2018:
| AIS REPORT for 2019 |
| AIS REPORT for 2018 |
HIGH WATER LEVEL CONCERNS - NO WAKE ORDINANCE
Update as of May 6, 2021
As of May 6, 2021, the BLPOA Board's request to amend the existing ordinance was approved by the Town of Underhill. Now it goes to the WDNR for their approval, and then back to the Town to make it official (we were told approximately 2 weeks). As soon as we know for sure, we will post the info here as well as send it out to all on our email list.
Here's is our recommendation with some background information from our BLPOA president Jim DePrey:
"We have some news on that front to share. We have been working with the Town Board to change the ordinance to better balance the desires of the owners who want to use their watercraft, with those who want to protect their properties that were most impacted by the high water. For background, as many of you know that there is a water level monitoring station in the lake and the data from that station is readily available through a link on our Association’s web page.
The current ordinance states, in effect, that when the water level exceeds 94.1 ft above sea level, as measured by that device, the slow-no wake rule is in effect. We have not seen the lake that low since 2018. By contrast, the water level at the crest, around June of 2019, was around 96.5. Note that these levels are in feet and decimals of feet. Currently, the water level is about 95.45. I should note that the current levels are pretty close to where they were when the lake crested last time, in the early 1980’s.
What we have proposed to the Town Board, and they have unanimously agreed to, is to
keep the ordinance in place but to change the stated level 95.75. This level is about 3 inches higher than the lake is now. Further, if the level reaches 95.75, it will have to stay there for 14 days before the no-wake provision would come into effect. Conversely, once in effect, it would stay there until the level recedes below 95.75 for at least 14 days.
Mike and Jennifer McDermot have agreed to be the monitors of the data for this. These added provisions are intended to eliminate the effects of temporary changes due to rain, etc. The ordinance is actually controlled by the DNR, a move that was made in order to aid in enforcement, so the change has to be submitted to them and approved. This has been submitted and we are confident that the change will be in place for Memorial Day weekend."
Here's is our recommendation with some background information from our BLPOA president Jim DePrey:
"We have some news on that front to share. We have been working with the Town Board to change the ordinance to better balance the desires of the owners who want to use their watercraft, with those who want to protect their properties that were most impacted by the high water. For background, as many of you know that there is a water level monitoring station in the lake and the data from that station is readily available through a link on our Association’s web page.
The current ordinance states, in effect, that when the water level exceeds 94.1 ft above sea level, as measured by that device, the slow-no wake rule is in effect. We have not seen the lake that low since 2018. By contrast, the water level at the crest, around June of 2019, was around 96.5. Note that these levels are in feet and decimals of feet. Currently, the water level is about 95.45. I should note that the current levels are pretty close to where they were when the lake crested last time, in the early 1980’s.
What we have proposed to the Town Board, and they have unanimously agreed to, is to
keep the ordinance in place but to change the stated level 95.75. This level is about 3 inches higher than the lake is now. Further, if the level reaches 95.75, it will have to stay there for 14 days before the no-wake provision would come into effect. Conversely, once in effect, it would stay there until the level recedes below 95.75 for at least 14 days.
Mike and Jennifer McDermot have agreed to be the monitors of the data for this. These added provisions are intended to eliminate the effects of temporary changes due to rain, etc. The ordinance is actually controlled by the DNR, a move that was made in order to aid in enforcement, so the change has to be submitted to them and approved. This has been submitted and we are confident that the change will be in place for Memorial Day weekend."
Pictures of the high water here in the spring of 2020:
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| town_ordinance_no_wake.pdf |
WDNR FISH REPORT - MAY 2019:
BERRY LAKE WATER LEVELS
The Department of the Interior US Geological Survey was granted a permit through the WDNR this spring to install a continuous water level recorder at Berry Lake in 2013. The equipment consists of an on-shore aluminum enclosure along with buried conduit that is trenched form the enclosure to the shoreline and then below the lake bed out to a point where it can be anchored to the lake bed.
Click here to view the water level of Berry Lake, which is monitored by the USGS.
Click here to view the water level of Berry Lake, which is monitored by the USGS.
BERRY LAKE COURTESY RULES...for you to view and download.
| courtesy_rules |
LEGEND LAKE COMPOST SITE
Berrylakers are able to use this site to dump their leaves and brush (not for garbage) at a cost of $50.00/year. For that fee, you are also to take composted material (i.e. topsoil and mulch) for your properties. Download the form below, and return it to the Legend Lake Property Owners with your check.
Berrylakers are able to use this site to dump their leaves and brush (not for garbage) at a cost of $50.00/year. For that fee, you are also to take composted material (i.e. topsoil and mulch) for your properties. Download the form below, and return it to the Legend Lake Property Owners with your check.
| 2021_compost_form_for_bl_from_legend.pdf |
LOCAL LINKS
Town of Underhill
City of Gillett
Gillett Public Library
Oconto County Government
Oconto County Sheriff's Department... please call to report all non-emergency issues
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Wisconsin Association of Lakes
Northern Grace Youth Camp located @ Berry Lake
Legend Lake Channel Kruisers (LLCK) our local snowmobile club
Oconto County Lakes & Waterways Association
Times Herald (a local newspaper in Oconto Falls)
Oconto Reporter (a local newspaper in Oconto)
Shawano Leader (a local newspaper in Shawano)
City of Gillett
Gillett Public Library
Oconto County Government
Oconto County Sheriff's Department... please call to report all non-emergency issues
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Wisconsin Association of Lakes
Northern Grace Youth Camp located @ Berry Lake
Legend Lake Channel Kruisers (LLCK) our local snowmobile club
Oconto County Lakes & Waterways Association
Times Herald (a local newspaper in Oconto Falls)
Oconto Reporter (a local newspaper in Oconto)
Shawano Leader (a local newspaper in Shawano)