lake preservation
SPECIAL LAKE REPORT
Posted June 22, 2026
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 narrowly defined drainage area formed by the steeply sloping hillsides in the Northern Unit of the Kettle Moraine. There is no defined surface inflow or outflow. Crystal Lake is about 114 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. The lake harbors a moderate diversity of native aquatic plant communities with approximately 22 native species. The lake maintains high water clarity, with an average summer Secchi disk depth of around 20 feet.
Crystal Lake’s Aquatic Plant Management Plan (APMP) was updated in 2026. The CLAA worked with Onterra LLC, a lake management consulting firm based in DePere, to complete this plan. Eight individuals from around the lake participated on a planning committee. A primary purpose of the plan is to ensure that the group’s goals and actions align with what is considered to be the current Best Management Practice (BMP) for AIS management.
Please find below links to 3 documents including the 2026 Aquatic Plant Management Plan; Public Participation Materials associated with the 2026 Plan; Mechanical Harvesting Action Plan.
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 narrowly defined drainage area formed by the steeply sloping hillsides in the Northern Unit of the Kettle Moraine. There is no defined surface inflow or outflow. Crystal Lake is about 114 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. The lake harbors a moderate diversity of native aquatic plant communities with approximately 22 native species. The lake maintains high water clarity, with an average summer Secchi disk depth of around 20 feet.
Crystal Lake’s Aquatic Plant Management Plan (APMP) was updated in 2026. The CLAA worked with Onterra LLC, a lake management consulting firm based in DePere, to complete this plan. Eight individuals from around the lake participated on a planning committee. A primary purpose of the plan is to ensure that the group’s goals and actions align with what is considered to be the current Best Management Practice (BMP) for AIS management.
Please find below links to 3 documents including the 2026 Aquatic Plant Management Plan; Public Participation Materials associated with the 2026 Plan; Mechanical Harvesting Action Plan.
Crystal Lake Aquatic Plan Management Plan 2026
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Crystal Lake 2025 Meander Survey
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Crystal Lake Mechanical Harvesting Plan (Jan 2026)
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CURRENT ACTIVITIES
In 2026, the CLAA contracted with Aquatic Plant Management for 2 mechanical harvesting sessions in late June and early August. The Association will alert residents with specific dates.
The upcoming application to control Eurasian Milfoil (EWM) and other nuisance aquatic plants are expensive. Becoming a CLAA member will help support your community. Please consider becoming a Crystal Club member and your donation will go a long way this year to mitigate invasive species.
CITIZEN LAKE MONITORING NETWORK
Crystal Lake participates in the Citizen Lake Monitoring Network.
The Citizen Lake Monitoring Network (CLMN) connects 1000+ citizen volunteers statewide with the Wisconsin Lakes Partnership. The goal is to collect high-quality lake water data, educate and empower our volunteers, and share our data for lake management. The data includes water clarity, temperatures and chemistry as well as ice on/off dates.
The information gathered by this monitoring program is used by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WI-DNR), university biologists and researchers, UW-Madison Division of Extension, and other interested individuals.
Read the report for Crystal Lake water data: CLMN Report for Crystal Lake
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
We work with many stakeholders at the Wisconsin DNR, Sheboygan County Planning Commission, Sanitary District as well as numerous contractors, consultants and associations to mitigate invasive and nuisance species while promoting a healthy ecosystem for Crystal Lake . You will learn a lot of cool things about our community's most valuable resource.
In 2026, the CLAA contracted with Aquatic Plant Management for 2 mechanical harvesting sessions in late June and early August. The Association will alert residents with specific dates.
The upcoming application to control Eurasian Milfoil (EWM) and other nuisance aquatic plants are expensive. Becoming a CLAA member will help support your community. Please consider becoming a Crystal Club member and your donation will go a long way this year to mitigate invasive species.
CITIZEN LAKE MONITORING NETWORK
Crystal Lake participates in the Citizen Lake Monitoring Network.
The Citizen Lake Monitoring Network (CLMN) connects 1000+ citizen volunteers statewide with the Wisconsin Lakes Partnership. The goal is to collect high-quality lake water data, educate and empower our volunteers, and share our data for lake management. The data includes water clarity, temperatures and chemistry as well as ice on/off dates.
The information gathered by this monitoring program is used by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WI-DNR), university biologists and researchers, UW-Madison Division of Extension, and other interested individuals.
Read the report for Crystal Lake water data: CLMN Report for Crystal Lake
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
- Minimize use of lawn care products, specifically fertilizers and herbicides. Fertilizers, in particular, lead to algae growth in the lake as water temperatures rise in the summer.
- Become a CLAA member! Your donation will go to a variety of activities including fireworks and mitigating EWM.
- Join the effort to maintain the remarkable ecosystem of Crystal Lake.
We work with many stakeholders at the Wisconsin DNR, Sheboygan County Planning Commission, Sanitary District as well as numerous contractors, consultants and associations to mitigate invasive and nuisance species while promoting a healthy ecosystem for Crystal Lake . You will learn a lot of cool things about our community's most valuable resource.
