- Apr 23, 2025
- 1 min read
After 15 years of dreaming, the dredging and refilling of Library Lake is finally completed! Enjoy the following pictures and videos marking this momentous day. The lake had finished filling Friday morning.
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After 15 years in the making, the dredging of Library Lake is finally completed! Last September I announced that Haas Inc. – Thorp, WI. was mobilizing to begin the process of installing sheet piling to block off the channel under the Grove Street bridge between Library Lake and Rabbit Bay. Following the installation of the sheet piling, the process of lowering the lake by 4 to 5 feet began and the lake was lowered by October 1st per the WDNR permit requirements. With the perfect weather conditions at the end of December 2024, the preparation work for the dredging of Library Lake commenced. After a week of preparing boundaries and haul roads, the first truckload of sediment was loaded on January 8th. All of the dredging was completed on Wednesday January 22nd, 2025. The sediment that was removed would fill a unit train of coal cars almost 2 miles long. About 50 truckloads of dredged sediment were stored at the east end of the SE Stormwater pond for use this spring to enhance the dirt around the pond areas. Once it is spread and mixed with the existing soil of marginal quality the area will be reseeded. The dirt pile was covered with straw and watered down to prevent wind erosion. The Lake will remain lowered until after the ice is off the lake. There are 4 reasons for waiting; not allowing the existing ice on Library Lake to break lose, not risking the frozen “Bog” to become a drifting island with the rapid rise of the Lake, allowing safe snowmobiling across the Lake, and not disturbing the hibernating frogs, turtles, etc. until spring. When the decision is made to refill the Lake, the event will be well publicized. One surprise as a result of lowering the lake is the appearance of at least 3 springs that will continue to provide fresh water entering Library Lake.
At the 2022 BDLMD Annual Meeting, funding was approved to support the feasibility of dredging the Wickre Harbor area on the western shores of Rabbit Bay by providing financial assistance including the WDNR permitting processes, soil/muck testing, documentation, liaisons for all questions, and updates as required. Originally dredged in 1963, the permitting process for re-dredging the eastern most channel started in late 2022 to return this area to its original condition. With the support of the WDNR the permit requirements were expedited and approved by mid-February 2023. By late-February 2023, Erickson Excavating of Cumberland, Inc. started dredging the channel, but had to stop after 23 dump truck loads when conditions went "south". With the favorable weather this winter, Erickson’s restarted the dredging project and finished in early February of this year. The dredging costs were covered by the residents along the channel. It was a long process, but ultimately a successful one – going from a channel filled with up to six feet of muck and no possibility of boat traffic to a channel that will now allow boats in and out!
The Lake District commissioners have reviewed and approved the 2025 Eurasian Water Milfoil-EWM Plan. The Treatment Plan and WDNR permit application includes treating navigation lanes in City and Norwegian Bays later in the season should weeds obstruct watercraft operation.
I want to again thank all those that donated to the Library Lake Restoration Fund. The donations will cover the cost of the dredging, and the remaining funds will be used for additional improvements along the east shoreline of Library Lake. Plans are currently being developed for additional trees and a pathway through the SE Storm water pond using remaining grant dollars.
As we wait for the ice to melt and open the Lake for watercraft use, please be cautious and aware of changing ice conditions. There have been too many vehicles going through the ice and unfortunately some loss of lives. Once the ice goes out, the stop logs and side boards at the Dam will be lowered so the lake can be raised to normal level.
Be sure to watch for the refilling announcement of Library Lake. Library Lake is soon going to look a lot different! And, please mark your calendar for the BDLMD Annual Meeting on August 2, 2025.
On Wednesday January 8, 2025 the removal/dredging of sediment from Library Lake commenced. Haas Inc. from Thorp, WI. began the process in mid Sept, 2024 by installing sheet piling to block off of the channel under the Grove Street bridge between Library Lake and Rabbit Bay. Following the installation of the sheet piling, a pump started the process of lowering the Lake by 4 to 5 feet by October 1st per the WDNR permit requirements. Haas has spent the last few weeks prepping the areas to be dredged for more efficient use of the equipment once the removal process commenced. The history of the Library Lake Restoration stretching back to 2008 was recently covered in articles in the Cumberland Advocate written by Mark Fuller in the Aug. 21, 2024 edition and Larry Werner in the Nov. 13, 2024 edition. There is also information about the Restoration of Library Lake on the BDLMD website at beaverdamlake.org.
Everyone involved with the project was concerned about this winter’s weather and what influence the forecasted La Nina would have in the Cumberland area. So far, the weather could not have been more perfect with little snow and mostly below normal temperatures. This has allowed Haas to get a jump on the dredging and if the schedule holds, the sediment removal should be completed in the next few weeks. Per the WDNR permits the removed material is currently being trucked to the Barron County quarry on County Hwy T where it will be used during the reclamation of the quarry. The Haas Inc. quarry on 10th street is an alternate site. Currently the timing of when the refilling of Library Lake will occur is being debated. There are a number of factors that will influence the decision, such as, effect of the refilling on the ice remaining in the middle of Library Lake and Rabbit Bay to the north, on the remaining center “bog” area ( the WDNR would not permit the removal), and the “critters that found winter quarters prior to the lake freezing over. Also; the snow mobile club has the trail marked across the west side of Library Lake which when the snow does arrive could present a safety issue. When the decision is made, the refilling of the Lake will be well publicized!
The fund raising for Restoring Library Lake continues and the fund is just above $500,000. The $550,000 goal remains the target with any funds raised beyond the dredging costs will be used for additional enhancements along the Library Lake Shoreline and the SE storm water park. Thanks to those that have already donated and to all others, please consider donating.
The 2025 Eurasian Water Milfoil -EWM and Navigation Channel treatment plans are currently being reviewed prior to submitting the application to the WDNR for this year’s permit. The good news is that there are only a few spots of EWM observed in City Bay, the channel by the Hwy 63 box culvert, Rabbit Bay and the West Lake mostly northwest of the Narrows. Cemetery Bay was not approved for treatment during 2024, and the EWM areas expanded during the year, so we will be requesting a whole lake treatment. Updates will be covered in future articles.
Last, although the recent cold weather has created a good 10 or more inches of good ice, be careful when contemplating driving on the ice as springs and currents can influence the thickness. Good luck and be safe. Be sure to come downtown to watch the change taking place on Library Lake and while there stop at some of the businesses that have supported the Library Lake Restoration effort over the past 14 years. It is soon going to look a lot different!
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