lake preservation
SPECIAL LAKE REPORT
Posted July 7, 2025
Please find the below a link to the Official First Draft of the Crystal Lake (Sheboygan Co.) Aquatic Plant Management Plan associated with WDNR Planning Grant # AEPP77824. This document includes the data and results of studies that took place during 2024, as well as integrating available past aquatic plant data. The “Plan” portion of this document was created based on conversations between Onterra ecologists, members of the Crystal Lake APM Steering Committee, and WDNR following two planning meetings that took place during spring 2025. The Implementation Plan can be found in section 5.0 on pages 41-52. Note that the appendices are included with this document which adds considerable bulk, while the report sections, plan sections, and maps are within the first 60 pages.
At this time, we are seeking formal review of the Draft Plan by WDNR and any other interested agency partners. Coinciding with the WDNR review, the CLAA will commence with a minimum 21-day public comment period starting July 7, 2025 to seek further local input on the draft plan. Any WDNR comments, or relevant public comments that are received will be integrated into the final version of the Plan as appropriate.
Review the Official First Draft of the Crystal Lake (Sheboygan Co.) Aquatic Plant Management Plan
Send comments and questions to [email protected].
At this time, we are seeking formal review of the Draft Plan by WDNR and any other interested agency partners. Coinciding with the WDNR review, the CLAA will commence with a minimum 21-day public comment period starting July 7, 2025 to seek further local input on the draft plan. Any WDNR comments, or relevant public comments that are received will be integrated into the final version of the Plan as appropriate.
Review the Official First Draft of the Crystal Lake (Sheboygan Co.) Aquatic Plant Management Plan
Send comments and questions to [email protected].
GENERAL INFORMATION
Crystal Lake is a seepage lake composed of two main basins oriented in an east-west direction. Crystal Lake is the central feature in a lake-oriented community, which includes year-round residences and seasonal accommodations, and is actively utilized for recreational and aesthetic purposes by both the riparian community and visitors from the surrounding area. Crystal Lake is located within a fairly narrowly defined drainage area formed by the steeply sloping hillsides of the Northern Unit of the Kettle Moraine. There is no defined surface inflow to or outflow. Crystal Lake is about 113.7 acres in surface area that formed in the glacially derived gravel and sand out-wash. It is dependent upon groundwater and precipitation to maintain its water level. The lake has a maximum depth of 61 feet, a mean depth of 20 feet, and approximately 2.4 miles of shoreline. Secchi disc transparency values during a 22-year period (1986-2007) averaged about 15 feet (4.7 meters), within a range from 9.5 feet (2.9 meters) in 1992 to 22.5 feet (6.9 meters) There is one public boat landing. Aquatic Invoice Species (AIS) present include Zebra Mussels, Chinese Mystery Snail, and EWM (Eurasian Water Milfoil). In addition to EWM, nine species of native submergent aquatic plants were observed during the 2008 survey. These included five species of pondweed, including large-leaf pondweed, Illinois pondweed, Sago pondweed, small pondweed, and flatstem pondweed. Other submergent aquatic plant species included Coontail, Muskgrass, Elodea, and bushy pondweed, all which provide excellent habitat for aquatic organisms such as fishes and amphibians.
Crystal Lake is a seepage lake composed of two main basins oriented in an east-west direction. Crystal Lake is the central feature in a lake-oriented community, which includes year-round residences and seasonal accommodations, and is actively utilized for recreational and aesthetic purposes by both the riparian community and visitors from the surrounding area. Crystal Lake is located within a fairly narrowly defined drainage area formed by the steeply sloping hillsides of the Northern Unit of the Kettle Moraine. There is no defined surface inflow to or outflow. Crystal Lake is about 113.7 acres in surface area that formed in the glacially derived gravel and sand out-wash. It is dependent upon groundwater and precipitation to maintain its water level. The lake has a maximum depth of 61 feet, a mean depth of 20 feet, and approximately 2.4 miles of shoreline. Secchi disc transparency values during a 22-year period (1986-2007) averaged about 15 feet (4.7 meters), within a range from 9.5 feet (2.9 meters) in 1992 to 22.5 feet (6.9 meters) There is one public boat landing. Aquatic Invoice Species (AIS) present include Zebra Mussels, Chinese Mystery Snail, and EWM (Eurasian Water Milfoil). In addition to EWM, nine species of native submergent aquatic plants were observed during the 2008 survey. These included five species of pondweed, including large-leaf pondweed, Illinois pondweed, Sago pondweed, small pondweed, and flatstem pondweed. Other submergent aquatic plant species included Coontail, Muskgrass, Elodea, and bushy pondweed, all which provide excellent habitat for aquatic organisms such as fishes and amphibians.
CURRENT ACTIVITIES
Updates on Crystal Lake Preservation Activities for 2025:
Updates on Crystal Lake Preservation Activities for 2025:
- We are developing a science-driven Lake Management Plan in collaboration with Onterra, a distinguished lake management consulting firm based in DePere. We are grateful to have eight volunteer residents from around the lake participating on a steering committee that represents our community as a whole. Last year, Onterra conducted various aquatic plant surveys to thoroughly assess the overall health and variety of the aquatic vegetation in Crystal Lake.
- In 2024, as part of developing this plan, we mailed a survey developed with Onterra via a 3rd party firm to all riparian owners on Crystal Lake, regardless of their membership in the CLAA. This was the property owner's opportunity to be heard regarding the current and historic conditions of Crystal Lake and its future management. All answers and comments were anonymous. We had a 68% response rate. We wanted to provide the survey results to you in advance of the Official Lake Plan Draft for your review. See pdf attachment below.
- In 2025, the steering committee is merging Onterra's findings with the results from the Resident Stakeholder Survey to create an Implementation Plan aimed at mitigating invasive species while ensuring the long-term vitality of Crystal Lake. The Official First Draft which includes the Implementation Plan and the complete report should be released within the next couple weeks. There will be a 21-day public review period while the plan is also under review by the WDNR. The Plan will not receive final approval until all public and WDNR comments have been addressed and incorporated.
| crystal_lake_survey_results_2024.pdf |
Last year, the CLAA board agreed to use a mechanical approach called DASH (Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting) instead of chemicals to combat our pockets of Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM). This decision took a break from many past years of spot chemical treatments targeting EWM. Also last summer, we had milfoil plant samples from Crystal Lake "DNA tested" to confirm the species. DNA test results confirmed suspicions that our EWM had become a Hybrid Milfoil and the chemicals we had been using were becoming less effective as confirmed by discussions with multiple expert consultants.
Last summer, we also experienced an intersection of events including a greater than normal drop in water levels, (nearly 2 ft. from the ordinary high water mark), low rainfall, (~-5"), more sunny days and the Sheboygan Marsh water level drawdown which created a perfect opportunity for milfoil and other weed growth on the lake. It's important to remember that Crystal Lake is considered a seepage lake and relies on groundwater recharge, runoff, and precipitation for maintaining water levels.
In conjunction with these events, the CLAA has met with multiple lake management consulting firms to find the best partner in pursuit of securing grant monies from the state of Wisconsin DNR in development of a formal lake management plan. The last lake management plan for Crystal Lake was developed 16 years ago. This new management plan will provide a better understanding of Crystal Lake's current health and ecology and more importantly, a road map to mitigate/minimize the effect of aquatic invasive species (AIS) with a primary focus on Milfoil. The management plan also would provide the basis for permit approvals of more effective AIS treatments (hybrid chemical, mechanical and DASH). Our future intent would be to apply for additional WI DNR grant monies supporting mitigation efforts.
We selected Onterra, a highly regarded firm based in DePere, WI, (Onterra, LLC | Lake Management Planning (onterra-eco.com), to engage as our partner in development of a Crystal Lake Management Plan. Our planning application was approved in February 2024 and we have been awarded $10,000 of grant monies from the DNR! The monies will be used for activities required in developing this lake management plan. Note: Crystal Lake's application was approved in spite of a record number of applicants with many Wisconsin lakes experiencing the same surge in milfoil growth.
Note:
1) We have created a volunteer Planning Committee to participate in the development of the Lake Management Plan. This group is comprised of people from various locations around the lake to ensure different perspectives are heard.
2) As part of the Lake Management Plan, a survey will be sent to all lake property owners by a third party. The intent of the survey is to gather general demographics, but also comments and opinions from lake stakeholders to gain important information regarding your understanding of the lake and thoughts on how it should be managed. This information is critical to the development of a realistic plan by supplying an indication of the needs of the stakeholders and your perspective on the management of the lake. Please look for these surveys in the mail early summer of 2024 and take the time to respond!
Treatment for 2024
Considering the investment we're making into the Lake Management Plan, we've again made the decision to forego chemical treatment for Milfoil this year. The primary reason being we will obtain the most accurate baseline of aquatic species and more accurately create a long term treatment plan via this decision. We fully understand this may create frustration for those in areas most affected this year, so we ask for your patience and grace as we work through this. That said, we also plan to perform two rounds of Mechanical Harvesting of Milfoil in a few locations with the highest concentrations and as allowed by the DNR (permits pending). Think of this as an underwater lawn mowing. Milfoil and other weeds will be cut and removed. We plan to do this in the June timeframe and again in July. As this doesn't disrupt the root systems of these plants, the effectiveness of the aquatic studies by Onterra will remain of high quality and accuracy.
The upcoming application to control Eurasian Milfoil weeds and other costs are expensive. By becoming a CLAA member you will help support your community. Please consider becoming a Crystal Club member, the additional donation will go a long way this year to conquer invasive species and remain within our budget. DONATE NOW.
Eurasian Watermilfoil Information
A Eurasian Watermilfoil manual removal instructional video is now available for public viewing on YouTube. Specialists talks about the proper techniques used to remove above-water and underwater milfoil by hand.
Last year, the CLAA board agreed to use a mechanical approach called DASH (Diver Assisted Suction Harvesting) instead of chemicals to combat our pockets of Eurasian Water Milfoil (EWM). This decision took a break from many past years of spot chemical treatments targeting EWM. Also last summer, we had milfoil plant samples from Crystal Lake "DNA tested" to confirm the species. DNA test results confirmed suspicions that our EWM had become a Hybrid Milfoil and the chemicals we had been using were becoming less effective as confirmed by discussions with multiple expert consultants.
Last summer, we also experienced an intersection of events including a greater than normal drop in water levels, (nearly 2 ft. from the ordinary high water mark), low rainfall, (~-5"), more sunny days and the Sheboygan Marsh water level drawdown which created a perfect opportunity for milfoil and other weed growth on the lake. It's important to remember that Crystal Lake is considered a seepage lake and relies on groundwater recharge, runoff, and precipitation for maintaining water levels.
In conjunction with these events, the CLAA has met with multiple lake management consulting firms to find the best partner in pursuit of securing grant monies from the state of Wisconsin DNR in development of a formal lake management plan. The last lake management plan for Crystal Lake was developed 16 years ago. This new management plan will provide a better understanding of Crystal Lake's current health and ecology and more importantly, a road map to mitigate/minimize the effect of aquatic invasive species (AIS) with a primary focus on Milfoil. The management plan also would provide the basis for permit approvals of more effective AIS treatments (hybrid chemical, mechanical and DASH). Our future intent would be to apply for additional WI DNR grant monies supporting mitigation efforts.
We selected Onterra, a highly regarded firm based in DePere, WI, (Onterra, LLC | Lake Management Planning (onterra-eco.com), to engage as our partner in development of a Crystal Lake Management Plan. Our planning application was approved in February 2024 and we have been awarded $10,000 of grant monies from the DNR! The monies will be used for activities required in developing this lake management plan. Note: Crystal Lake's application was approved in spite of a record number of applicants with many Wisconsin lakes experiencing the same surge in milfoil growth.
Note:
1) We have created a volunteer Planning Committee to participate in the development of the Lake Management Plan. This group is comprised of people from various locations around the lake to ensure different perspectives are heard.
2) As part of the Lake Management Plan, a survey will be sent to all lake property owners by a third party. The intent of the survey is to gather general demographics, but also comments and opinions from lake stakeholders to gain important information regarding your understanding of the lake and thoughts on how it should be managed. This information is critical to the development of a realistic plan by supplying an indication of the needs of the stakeholders and your perspective on the management of the lake. Please look for these surveys in the mail early summer of 2024 and take the time to respond!
Treatment for 2024
Considering the investment we're making into the Lake Management Plan, we've again made the decision to forego chemical treatment for Milfoil this year. The primary reason being we will obtain the most accurate baseline of aquatic species and more accurately create a long term treatment plan via this decision. We fully understand this may create frustration for those in areas most affected this year, so we ask for your patience and grace as we work through this. That said, we also plan to perform two rounds of Mechanical Harvesting of Milfoil in a few locations with the highest concentrations and as allowed by the DNR (permits pending). Think of this as an underwater lawn mowing. Milfoil and other weeds will be cut and removed. We plan to do this in the June timeframe and again in July. As this doesn't disrupt the root systems of these plants, the effectiveness of the aquatic studies by Onterra will remain of high quality and accuracy.
The upcoming application to control Eurasian Milfoil weeds and other costs are expensive. By becoming a CLAA member you will help support your community. Please consider becoming a Crystal Club member, the additional donation will go a long way this year to conquer invasive species and remain within our budget. DONATE NOW.
Eurasian Watermilfoil Information
A Eurasian Watermilfoil manual removal instructional video is now available for public viewing on YouTube. Specialists talks about the proper techniques used to remove above-water and underwater milfoil by hand.
