Presorted
First Class Mail
PROTECTIVE &
IMPROVEMENT
ASSOCIATION
Established 1894
Member, Wisconsin Association of Lakes
P.O. Box 153
East Troy, WI 53120
Beulah Fish Report
Jeihri Robinson
Spring is coming, I think, although I
doubt it based on some of the recent
weather. I know I’m looking forward to
another great year of fishing. This June,
as part of the DNR fisheries program,
they will be adding 41,000 walleye to our
fantastic fishery as part of the stocking
program. It will be a while before they’re
big enough to catch, but I’m looking
forward to it. The walleye in Beulah are
a little tricky to catch, as quite a few of my
fellow anglers can attest to.
The Zebra Mussels have been with us
for a few years and many of the local
anglers have noted a change in clarity
and structure for the bass. With the
additional clarity, the fish can now see
you better. This can be a real problem
with the new bass boats on the water;
the bass have figured out that the flashy
US Postage
PAID
OSS Mail &
Marketing
colors and 400 HP motors on the
back mean trouble. I have decided
to try to camouflage my boat, I am
thinking about painting the bottom
light blue with puffy clouds to confuse
them. I am also considering breaking out
the camouflage so I look like a big weed
when hanging over the side.
The good news is that many articles
have been written indicating that zebra
mussels have had a positive impact on
the bass populations. We will find out this
year when they do the official fish count.
Have a great fishing season and we will
see you on the lake, I will be the tree
floating on a cloud.
Tight lines,
Jeihri
VOL 13 NO 1 A PUBLICATION OF THE LAKE BEULAH PROTECTIVE & IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION Spring 2005
From the President’s Desk
I wish I had better news to report on resolving the issues and concerns relating to the high capacity well being proposed by
the Village of East Troy in close proximity to our valued Lake Beulah. This well, under the DNR’s current permit, would be
capable of pumping as much as 1000 gallons per minute (1.4 million gallons per day) to the Village’s potable water supply
system. Most of that water would then be diverted out of the Lake Beulah/Mukwonago River watershed by way of the
Village’s sanitary sewers and sewage treatment plant which discharges to Honey Creek.
It has been a year now since we joined with the Lake Beulah Management District in litigation seeking a “Contested Case
Hearing” on DNR’s permit for this new Village well.
In an effort to reach a resolution and thus obviate the need for continuing our appeal for a hearing in the courts, written
proposals have been exchanged between the parties that include a limitation and reduction on the pumping rate coupled
with a water level and environmental monitoring system but no agreement has been reached yet on the details. All this of
course has put a serious drain on our LBPIA Treasury and we may have to curtail legal counsel activities until our annual
dues and hopefully some healthy donations allow us to continue in the litigation on this critical matter.
On another critical issue, the Highway “J” dam, there has been progress with DNR approving the required “dam failure
analysis” submitted by RSV Engineering on behalf of the Lake Management District. This was an important first step. It
verified that the dam meets the requirements for flow capacity beyond the 100 year
storm event. It also simulated an evaluation of flooding downstream if no dam
or earthen embankment had ever been constructed. Dam failure would result
in a large area of flooding, mostly wetland areas extending down to Phantom
Lake. The analysis also confirmed that the dam is a “high hazard” dam with
In This Issue…
no protective flood plain zoning in place for down stream properties. Next
Lake Beulah Management
an emergency action plan and operation & maintenance plan need to be
developed. It is very important from my perspective that the Lake Management District Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
District ultimately assume responsibility for the regular monitoring,
maintenance and long term care of the dam and I compliment them for taking Phosphorous in the Water . . . . . 2
this important first step of analysis.
Paddle Prattle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Finally don’t forget to go to our Web Site www.lakebeulah.org to get the latest
information about the many issues and activities affecting our beautiful lake.
The Other Lake Buelah Contry
Also mark your calendars for our Spring Member’s meeting scheduled
Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
for Saturday May 21st at 9:00 AM at the East Troy Town Hall. It’s a great
opportunity to meet other lake residents and exchange ideas and information
on improving and protecting Lake Beulah. I look forward to seeing you there. Pier Ordinance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Paul Didier Water Quality Monitoring . . . . . 5
2005 Action Plan. . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Fishing Report. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Lake Management District Report 2004 LBPIA
Area Chair Network
Mooring Ordinance Revisions: March 14th Board meeting the and our lake groups need to give September 2004 Board of Directors
Chairperson, Howard Bindrim, and commissioners engaged the services support for this grant. Audrey and Area Chairpersons are committed Lake Beulah residents who serve as the
his committee have revised and of Essie Consulting Group, a Madison the County are looking for four or Paul Didier, President
primary contacts for the Association. Should you have an interest or concern about
updated our current pier/mooring Wisconsin based firm. They will be five property owners that would be 608-824-9966 • 262-642-5354 (Lake)
anything regarding the Lake, please be sure to contact your area chair.
ordinance. It has been presented to handling the informational and willing to agree to participate in a Ruth Rappold, Vice-President
Lake Beulah Area Chairperson(s)
our Board and the Town of East Troy lobbying end of the on going well shoreland restoration project and 262-642-3496
Country Club Lane & Austin Road......................................Stan Alger (642-3476)
Board and needs to go to the DNR litigation. We are continuing to have their names/addresses listed on Dick Patterson, Treasurer
Beulah Heights Road ..................................... Jeihri & Kelle Robinson (642-5989)
for final review. The goal is to have discuss and negotiate the location the grant application. The shoreland 842-256-1028 • 262-642-3988 (Lake)
the new ordinance in place for the up and the pumping capacity of the restoration project would be similar Oakwood Lane & It’s A Little Road .............................. Jean Holloway (642-5749)
Lake Road & Windy Way ............................................... Penny Clayton (642-3083) Jane Tanis
coming boating season. proposed well with the Village of to the one done on the Lake District’s Chair: Membership
Hwy “J” Dam: The “dam failure East Troy. Weed Control: By the end land on hwy j in June of 2003. Highway J & Millsite Road ............................................Dave Skotarzak (363-7603)
262-642-9232
analysis” has been approved by the of April we will have determined the Anyone interested in this kind of Island Dr. & Golden Way .......................................... Ralph Gehrmann (363-3072)
Brynes Lane & Romadka Park Road ................................. Roy Gerloff (642-5213) Judy Beren
DNR. They have rated the dam as a locations and acreage that needs project please call Judy Skotarzak at
Secretary and Membership
high hazard dam due to the presence to be treated this season. We again 262-363-7603 as soon as possible. The Horseshoe Lane & East Shore Road
262-782-5088 • 262-642-3636 (Lake)
of development within the dam will be applying to the DNR for the competition for these lake protection (to Beulah Park) ...................................................Patrick & Joy Kline (363-8855)
failure floodplain. The owners of the permits for the chemical application. grants is pretty tough and we need all Beulah Park Road ................................................................Dale Roble (642-5690) Jeihri Robinson
dam on hwy j must now comply with Our weed harvesting program will the help we can get. Chair: Fish & Wildlife Committee
East Shore Road & Thistle Lane .........................................Mitzy Dorn (642-7499)
Chapter 31, Wisconsin Statutes and be in full operation by the beginning District Board Meetings: are held 262-642-5989
South Shore Dr. (to Humphrey Lane) ......................... Kathy Wamsky (642-7983)
any transfer or proposed transfer of June. Our office telephone is every four to six weeks at the Town of South Shore Dr. & Humphrey Lane ....................... Kathleen Taugher (642-3835) Ron Anders
of their property must be sent to 262-363-5359 so please feel free to East Troy town hall and are noticed Kings Parkway & Kings Lane ....................... John & Bea Sonderegger (642-5716)
Chair: Water Quality
the Waukesha office of the DNR for call us for weed pickup from your in the East Troy Times. Please plan to 262-642-2727
Pastime Lane & Grandview Dr. ............................Bill & Maya Murphy (642-5512)
processing. Also within two years piers and any special problems or attend as we value your input. Dr. Michael Fehrer
Wilmers Grove Road, Wilmers Point Lane &
dam maintenance and emergency concerns.County Lake Specialist: Chair: State & Local Gov’t Affairs
evacuation plans must be prepared Audrey Green’s grant will be ending David Skotarzak, Chairman Wilmers Landing................................................................ Brian Fons (642-9613)
262-642-5359
and submitted to the DNR. in 2005. The county will be applying Mary Gull (642-3611)
Stringers Bridge Road, New Deal Ave. & Dr. Scott Miller
Village High Capacity Well: At our for a new two year grant (2006-2008) Water Quality Committee
West Bay Road ..................................................................Michol Ford (642-5189)
608-757-2351 • 262-642-3033 (Lake)
Beach Road & Deerpath Road ............................................... Pat Prahl (642-7686)
Phosphorous in the Water
Phosphorous is a natural element, essential to all living organisms. It is also one of the most abundant minerals in the earth’s crust. So,
if it’s essential and abundant, why should we be worried about having too much phosphorous in our lakes? The answer, of course, is that
while phosphorous is vitally important to the energy and reproductive system of plants, it is only required in small amounts. And, while
algae is also important as the basis of the lake ecosystem food web, an excess of phosphorous results in plant and algae growth that can COMMITTEES & OFFICERS of the
quickly get out of control and cause numerous problems for your lake and for you.
LAKE BEULAH PROTECTIVE & IMPROVEMENT ASS0CIATION
Almost everyone, at one time or another, has witnessed the unsightly and foul smelling consequences of alga blooms. Several studies
have shown that when a lake becomes eutrophic (over fertilized) the negative affects range from loss of recreational value to loss of
property value. But the process goes far beyond what we can see from shore. As the green, brown or red algae mats cover the surface
MEMBERSHIP - Chair – Jane Tanis STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT LIAISON –
of a lake; sunlight is unable to penetrate the lower depths. This lack of light results in the death of rooted aquatic plants and algae Membership expansion – Ron Anders, Ruth Rappold, Chair - Dr. Michael Fehrer
growing lower in the water column. Once the decomposition process begins, oxygen usage often exceeds the existing supply. Most of Marge Harvey* Interaction on Government & Property Development
the desirable fish species, such as Bass and Walleye, require certain levels of dissolved oxygen to survive. As dissolved oxygen levels fall, Area Chair – Ann Alger* Issues - Dr. M. Fehrer, Paul Didier, John Sonderegger*,
the fish may die. Even if these fish are restocked, many of the macroinvertebrates that are an important part of the food chain for these Member Lists and/or Directory – Judy Beren Burt Shavitz*
fish will also have been killed off. Unfortunately, the fish that can survive on the lowest amounts of dissolved oxygen are bottom feeding Legislative & regulatory liaison – the LBPIA Board
rough fish such as carp. INFORMATION & EDUCATION – Chair – Paul Didier Public Safety & Security – Jeihri Robinson
Lake Views (news letter) – Paul Didier, Ron Anders
Of course, algae are not the only species that exhibits excess growth when higher than usual amounts of phosphorous enter a lake.
Web Site – Jeanne Procell* LONG RANGE PLANNING - the LBPIA Board of the
All aquatic plants will increase growth rates. While many of these plants are an important source of food and shelter for fish and
macroinvertebrates, extensive growth of aquatic plants can interfere with fish foraging, navigation, aeration and channel capacity.
Educational Outreaches – Ruth Rappold, Ann Alger*, Whole
Which, of course, results in increased costs to lake residents when mechanical harvesting and chemical aquatic plant control methods Jeanne Humphrey*
are employed. OFFICERS OF THE LBPIA
FISH & WILDLIFE – Chair – Jeihri Robinson President – Paul Didier
Once a waterbody has been overfertilized with phosphorous it is a long, difficult and expensive process to restore the lake. As the Fish Stocking – Ruth Rappold & Jeihri Robinson Vice President – Ruth Rappold
phosphorous sinks to the bottom, some of it will be covered with sediments and chemically bonded to other elements. However, the Other wildlife management issues Treasurer – Dick Patterson
continued on page 4 Secretary – Judy Beren
WATER QUALITY – Chair – Ron Anders
*Non-Board/Interested volunteer
Lake Views is published periodically by the Lake Beulah Protective & Improvement Association. Every effort has been made to provide correct Monitoring & Reporting – Dr. Michael Fehrer,
and accurate information. There is, however, no guarantee as to the total accuracy of information included. The opinions expressed are not nec- Dr. Scott Miller, Lynn Carlson (Lake Mgm’t. District)*,
essarily those of the LBPIA Board of Directors. Individuals who wish to submit articles, artwork, poetry, calendar items or photography may send James Holtermann*, Glen Kreinbrink* (historical)
contributions to Lake Views Editor, LBPIA, P.O. Box 153, East Troy, WI 53120. Articles in Lake Views may be reprinted or reproduced for further Aquatic Plant Management - Judy Skotarzak*
distribution, with acknowledgment to the Editor. Shoreline Management – (Audrey Green*–Walworth Co.)

2 7
 LAKE BEULAH PROTECTIVE & IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION
2005 ACTION PLAN
1) Continue to inform & educate the membership on land and lake use laws and regulations and
Paddle Prattle
by Scott Miller, M.D.
support the Town, County and State in their enforcement with emphasis on lake weeds, shore
lands management and landscaping. Note: We implement a twice annual news letter and maintain If you are like me you, are probably counting them into their six-foot diameter nest. A word
a regularly updated Web Site www.lakebeulah.org as two primary initiatives coupled with other down the days till water on the lake starts to of caution is in order here. Always be careful
educational outreaches with local schools, Camps and lake property owners to accomplish this soften after the long cold Wisconsin winter. to maintain a safe distance when observing
goal. We will advertise our scheduled member meetings. Spring is one of the best times of the year wildlife. Swans, in particular, are very
for paddle sports on the lake. The boating powerful birds! I’ve read that a blow from one
2) Continue working with the Wisconsin DNR, our members, volunteers and other experts to monitor
traffic is at a minimum and the water clarity is of their wings is capable of fracturing
and improve the overall health of Lake Beulah’s fish, wildlife and aquatic ecosystem. We will unparalleled. forearm bones.
continue to pursue the latest state of the art water quality monitoring & reporting techniques;
obtain available training to carry out these tasks; and summarize results in reports for meaningful Many bird species
interpretation and follow up. make their annual
return and the
3) Continue support of the efforts that will result in the Lake Beulah Management District (LBMD)
various water
assuming responsibility for the regular monitoring, maintenance, and long term care of the plants make their
County Highway “J” dam . emergence from
4) Support the LBMD’s initiative to update its boundaries. the lakebed.
5) Monitor, comment & take actions representing the mission, views and interests of the Association Higher water
levels and a lack
regarding proposed developments on the Grafenauer & Thomas property as well as any other of vegetation allow
developments that may affect the Lake and its surrounding environs including but not limited to access to parts
the proposed Village well on that property. More specifically we will try to propose alternatives to of the lake that
such developments where appropriate; ask the Village if there’s some kind of monetary settlement are inaccessible
at other times of
that might allow altering the subdivision plan and relocate or resize the proposed well; seek
the year. One of
support from other organizations like WAL, Citizen Advocate Groups and SEWRPC. the areas that is
6) Continue to support local area educational outreaches of our youth such as the annual “Water fun to visit this
Education Days” for students by Edwards YMCA Camp. time of year is
7) Continue to monitor, review and comment on boating laws & water safety issues. the channel that
connects Beulah
with Pickerel Lake
via a culvert under
Stringers Bridge Entrance to the canal
Road.

LBPIA Spring Member’s Meeting
Saturday, May 21st, 2005 beginning @ 9:00 AM
Town of East Troy Town Hall
N 9220 Stewart School Road, East Troy, WI
Members are encouraged to bring their ideas and concerns to the meeting
for possible inclusion in the Association’s 2005 Action Plan.
The reeds along the undeveloped side of the
waterway are home to many species of birds.
A couple of springs ago I paddled through this
area a heard a loud ripping and tearing sound
coming from back in the reeds. I poked my
kayak into the vegetation and found a busy
pair of swans building their nest. They were
using their beaks and strong necks to uproot
the tall reeds that grow in the shallows. The
pair then swam over and carefully inserted
This area also serves as a feeding ground for
Sandhill Cranes. These majestic birds can
be found wading in the shallows in the early
morning hours during the summer. I’ve
paddled as far as the culvert under Town Line
road but have never made the portage over to
see if one can make it all the way to Pickerel
lake. Maybe this spring…

6 3
The Other Lake Beulah Country Club Water Quality Monitoring
Most residents are familiar with the Lake Beulah Country Club and associated golf course at the East end of the lake Scott Miller, M.D.
along Highway J. However, relatively few are aware that long ago there was another Lake Beulah Country Club, located For many years, dedicated volunteers have been taking measured between June and September. The
actually on the lakeshore, at the West end of the lake. It encompassed land along Beulah Heights Road, including the
portion now known as Country Club Lane. This was an active and and analyzing water samples from locations around temperatures are relatively close together in June and
popular country club in the early 1900’s, and guests would arrive the lake. Last fall I gave a PowerPoint presentation at separate out during July and August. This represents
there by steamer from the East end of the lake, following their the annual meeting that summarized the results of the our lake’s summer stratification. These layers do not
arrival there via rail and horse drawn carriage. Lake travel was water quality monitoring program on Lake Beulah. mix with one another. This can cause problems for
necessitated by absence of both roads and automobiles during its Recapping that presentation would take up too much some lakes because the organisms that live at the lower
early years. Of course the guests enjoyed their boat ride along this
space for one issue of Lake Views, so I will discuss the depths of the lake might use up the Oxygen supply at
route just as many of us do today!
The original clubhouse was quite large with many amenities, water temperature data in this edition of the newsletter those levels. Because waters of different densities tend
and featured an excellent view of the lake from the heights. and present the rest of the data in subsequent editions. not to mix, there is no way to replenish the Oxygen
Unfortunately the combination of the growth of automobile travel My hope in writing this series of articles is that we will supplies before they reach critically low levels.
and especially the Great Depression led to its eventual closure. In all better understand of the natural processes that shape
the l930’s, the large club building was cut into three portions, and the water quality of the lake. This should help us make The third inset shows fall overturn. As the top layer of
two of these were moved several hundred feet resulting in three
new lake homes. All survived until last October, when the central more informed decisions about factors that impact the water cools, it sinks toward the bottom and carries with
portion (owned by the Sundstroms of Olympic skating fame) was lake. it a recharge
sold and then razed to make room for the new large house now of Oxygen to
under construction on Country Club Lane. the lower layers
LBCC clubhouse just proir to demolition in
The other two portions of the original clubhouse were moved, Temperature of the lake.
one to the East and one to the West, where they can be seen today in September 2002.
has been Again, the fall
remodeled form. They continue to serve as a place of enjoyment for their current owners. The remainder of the land of
the original Country Club was subdivided to form the properties now located along Country Club Lane. In addition to the monitored winds rile up
name of the road, one other visible reminder of this history is printed on our annual property tax bills! for many the waters and
years at three- increase the
Robert A. Burmeister foot depth lake’s Oxygen
intervals. supplies. The
Phosphorous continued from page 2 The data convergence of
presented temperatures in
phosphorus stored in the uppermost layers of the bottom sediments will likely be reintroduced into the water column by chemical
here is from the September
changes or turbulence from bottom feeding fish, where it will again become available for plant and algae growth.
In order to protect our lakes and streams it is important to understand that phosphorous and other contaminates do not come just site number 2 portion of
from the land immediately adjacent to the water. A watershed is all the land that drains into a lake, stream or river. Everyone lives in a and it shows the graph
watershed, which means a home that is several miles away will still a healthy illustrates the
have an effect on the water quality of the waterbody within its process called fall overturn.
watershed. Therefore, for environmental and financial reasons
“overturn.”
everyone should develop “water-wise” attitudes and habits.

To protect the lake or stream in your watershed, please consider

a few of these easy steps:
1. Use non-phosphorous fertilizers.
A Watershed is all the land that drains into a lake, stream
or river
Most lawns in SE WI do not need additional
phosphorous. Before applying any fertilizer get a soil
test to tell you what nutrients your property really needs.
2. Protect against soil erosion by maintaining dense
vegetation.
When land disturbance is unavoidable always use
sediment and erosion control measures
3. At the lake edge, avoid mowing to the waters edge or
consider planting a native shoreline buffer.
4. Ensure proper maintenance of your septic system.
5. Maintain vehicles properly and never allow fluids from
vehicles to seep into the ground or run off site.
6. Clean up after your pets.
7. For more information please contact: Audrey Greene at
(262) 741-3460
Pier Ordinance
The Department of Natural Resources is planning
to relinquish control of lake ordinances to local
authorities. In anticipation of this the Lake Beulah
Management District appointed a committee to revise
the existing ordinance. The committee consisting of
Howard Bindrim, Dave Bitter, Glen Kreinbrinkk, and
Ruth Rappold has completed the task, but now the
ordinance has to go through channels. Pat Hudec
will check to see that the language is correct legally;
the LBMD and the DNR must approve of it; then it
will be presented to the East Troy Town Board to be
passed as a local ordinance.
The Town Board will have a public hearing to
explain the Revised Pier Ordinance before voting on
it. Watch the East Troy Times or the LBPIA web site
for notification of this hearing.
Overturn is
critical to the well being of the lake because it is the
only means by which Oxygen and other vital nutrients
Lastly, in the late fall; the lake is once again fairly
uniform in temperature. This allows for one last
can be recharged in the lower depths of the lake. recharge of Oxygen to the lower depths before the lake
is covered in ice for the winter. Because the organisms
The first inset box at the bottom of the graph labeled that live in the lake are “cold blooded”, they don’t
“spring overturn” shows what is occurring right now consume as much oxygen in the colder months of the
on the lake. As the ice comes off of the lake, the water year as they do during the warmer times. This gives
temperatures are relatively uniform from top to bottom. them the ability to survive the winter on the limited
This is critical to the health of our lake because it is at supply of oxygen that is sealed in by the ice sheet.
this time that mixing occurs.
The spring winds rile up the waters and add rich The data presented here shows that Lake Beulah enjoys
supplies of Oxygen. a normal and healthy cycling!
The second inset shows “summer stratification.” As the
sun heats the waters of the lake, different layers of water
temperature develop from the top to bottom. The
data presented in the graph show water temperature

4 5