The south end of Potato Lake
(Image courtesy of Peter David, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission)
Potato Lake Water Management
In order to maintain Potato Lake as a high quality fishery and public recreational resource, Potato Lake Association had a comprehensive lake management plan drafted. The initial 2010 plan was crafted with input from water resource scientists at Short Elliot Hendrickson, Inc. (SEH) and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). The plan is available online at http://www.sehinc.com/online/potato and in paper form at the Spooner Memorial Library.
Though there hasn't been any actions taken as a result of this plan, it does serve as a baseline for future study and planning.
A second plan drafted
In the decade after this initial plan was drafted, a number of properties on the lake changed hands. Many of these new residents have raised concerns with the growth of aquatic vegetation in the lake and water quality in general. In 2019, the PLA board hired Dave Blumer, of Lake Education And Planning Services (L.E.A.P.S.). Dave has completed a new lake study and management plan proposal for 2021-2025.
This new plan is similar to the existing plan in that it provides direction for protecting the native plant community, which includes wild rice, and for continued aquatic invasive species monitoring to prevent the introduction of AIS to the lake. In addition, it lays out criteria to follow if the PLA should choose to implement management of native aquatic plants to provide a level of navigational and nuisance relief for the few areas of the lake most impacted.
This plan was submitted to Wisconsin DNR in hopes of receiving grant money available for the upkeep of Wisconsin lakes. In late 2019 the Plant Management Grant for Potato Lake was accepted. The total value of the grant is $22,298, PLA is responsible for 25% of the grant and the state of Wisconsin paid the remaining $16,000. The PLA board will use this grant money to cover the costs of water management planning and for the treatment and mitigation actions for the lake.
Comments can be directed to Joe Adler, Grant Project Manager, at jmadler42@gmail.com
OR
Dave Blumer, L.E.A.P.S. LLC
715-642-0635
PO Box 26
Cameron, WI 54822
2021-2025 Plan File Attachments:
Appendix A - Goal-Objectives-Actions.pdf
Appendix B -Funding-Prioritizing Matrix.pdf
Appendix C - Annual Calendar of Actions.pdf
Appendix D - Harvesting Map.pdf