A View from the Lake by Alan Carlson, President, Beaver Dam Lake Management District
As I compose my first “View From The Lake” while listening across the lake to the last band of
2026 Rutabaga Festival I realize summer is rapidly coming to a close. It’s been a dry yet generally
pleasant summer to enjoy our lake. Now we have one last holiday weekend of summer and then
fall activities begin.
A big thank you to the over 100 persons who attended the Beaver Lake Management District
annual meeting on August 8, 2026. Your active participation helps our lake district thrive. Our largest
agenda item was passage of a $250,000 contribution from accumulated funds to the City of
Cumberland for our new bridge over highway 63 near the north end of town. This bridge benefits the
lake district residents by connecting east and west lake with a significantly larger and deeper span.
A single pontoon should easily pass unimpeded under the bridge. Anticipated bridge opening is late
September.
In anticipation of the bridge opening Commissioner Michael Benjamin surveyed the channel east
of the new bridge and found over 15 submerged piling obstructions that were potential boat and
motor hazards. Your board quickly acted on this finding and hired a dive team from Brennan
Companies to remove these pilings. They completed the removal on August 20 and now the channel
should be clear of obstructions prior to the new bridge opening.
After the August 8 annual meeting the commissioners reorganized the board with a slate of new
officers. Alan Carlson is the new president, Tim DeFoe is treasurer and Michael Benjamin is
secretary. A huge thank you to outgoing president Tom Schroeder and secretary John Bavier.
During Tom’s 13 year tenure as president the lake district accomplished more projects than any
similar time span in the district’s history. Under his guidance multiple grants and outside expertise
have rejuvenated the lake and makes our lake district a model for the state of Wisconsin. John’s
thorough minutes and dedication have given us a clear record of tasks completed and items
discussed. Fortunately Tom and John have one more year on their board terms and will assist with
the board transition. Again, thank you both.
I will periodically communicate as Tom did with “A View From The Lake”. The commissioners, upon
resident feedback, decided to change the meeting schedule this year. We will meet monthly on the
second Wednesday at noon at Cumberland City Hall. Agendas will be on our website, published in
the Cumberland Advocate and posted at the library and city hall. We appreciate your attendance at
these meetings. Enjoy Labor Day weekend!
Alan Carlson
President
Beaver Dam Lake Management District
Website 8/31/26
