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Lake LaBelle district warns of declining clarity, proposes expanded slow‑no‑wake zones and invasive‑species response
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Summary
The Lake LaBelle Management District reported a long‑term decline in water clarity linked to boating‑season turbidity, announced a starry stonewort infestation with planned diver‑harvest removals in 2026, and proposed expanding slow/no‑wake zones and moderated boat traffic as near‑term measures.
Bruce Nadinger, chair of the Lake LaBelle Management District, presented the district’s annual report to the City of Oconomowoc on Dec. 2, highlighting restoration work on tributaries, conservation easements and water‑quality concerns. Nadinger said partners including the Oshkosh/OWPP (Economock Watershed Protection Program referenced in the presentation), Tall Pines Conservancy and the DNR have helped restore stream corridors feeding the lake.
Nadinger reported the recent discovery of starry stonewort (an aquatic invasive plant) near the new boat launch and said the district has applied for DNR grants to cover 75% of proposed non‑chemical diver harvests. District members voted to add $7,000 to the district budget to pay for part of the removal effort not covered in the printed budget.
The presentation included DNR secchi depth data showing a statistically significant decline in lake clarity during early and late summer over the last 35 years; the district said this trend coincides with reductions in aquatic vegetation, a 90% drop in fish food availability and a roughly 33% decrease in adult walleye counts compared to a decade prior, based on a DNR fishery survey. The district proposed two near‑term responses: expand slow/no‑wake zones (noting neighboring lakes use 200–300 feet buffers) and moderate boat traffic (including outreach and possible designated times for wake activities). Nadinger recommended town‑hall style listening sessions to gather input and asked for coordination with the city and village on enforcement if zones are expanded.
Why it matters: Lake LaBelle is a heavily used shallow lake (the district estimates roughly 40% of the lake is less than 5 feet deep) where propeller wash and wake activity can resuspend bottom sediments and reduce habitat. The district framed the proposed measures as tests to determine whether reduced wakes and targeted enforcement improve clarity and aquatic vegetation while balancing public access.
Next steps: the district plans diver harvests in 2026 pending DNR grant support, additional outreach to lake users, and continued coordination with city staff on mapping slow/no‑wake boundaries and enforcement mechanisms. Council members expressed appreciation for the volunteers and asked that policy proposals respect public access and the public trust while protecting the lake.
