Library Lake Restoration Project- “Every Drop Counts!” Holiday Campaign Launch by Tom Schroeder - President, Beaver Dam Lake Management District, November 18, 2024

As the community watches the ongoing changes to Library Lake, the Library Lake Restoration Project fundraising team is excited to launch a new holiday fundraising campaign: Make Waves this Holiday Season – Every Drop Counts!

Tasked with raising the $550,000 necessary for completion of the dredging that will take place this winter, the team seeks to renew awareness and take fundraising efforts over the top for this important community effort.

Quoting BDLMD President, Tom Schroeder, “Removal of 15,000 cubic yards (=1000 dump trucks, or 150 train cars) of cattails and accumulated sludge from the north and southeast sides of Library Lake will improve the lake overall, increase fishing habitat, and enhance access to Downtown businesses, all critical for a strong and healthy

Cumberland that seeks to attract tourists and year-round citizens alike.” Since Spring 2024 when fundraising began in earnest, the community has come together tremendously around the Library Lake Restoration Project, already donating $475,000 toward the goal of $550,000. Added Schroeder, “We’re almost there, but

need to finish strong.”

To that end, in conjunction with the Cumberland Chamber of Commerce, the team is urging the community to continue to Make Waves- Because Every Drop Counts! throughout the holiday season.

How It Works:

• Holiday shoppers will see donation “Minnow Buckets” on countertops of Chamber retailers throughout Cumberland, inviting customers to drop donations or use the supplied Venmo QR code. Go big, or go small - Every Drop Counts!

• Further, Chamber members are being encouraged to match donations, greatly increasing the campaign’s overall impact.

Remember, end-of-year charitable donations of any size to the BDMLD Library Lake Restoration Project can help reduce year-end tax impacts. Again– Every Drop Counts! Learn more or donate directly at beaverdamlake.org, or use QR codes found on campaign posters and “Minnow Buckets” at Chamber businesses throughout

Cumberland.

This appeal launches Friday, November 15th and will run through December 31st. Please support Cumberland Chamber businesses and this effort by shopping locally and donating generously!

The Library Lake Restoration fundraising team is excited for the opportunities the dredging of Library Lake holds and knows the Cumberland community will “Get On Board!” supporting this final push to achieve the $550,000 goal!

For in-depth information on the project or to make donations, readers can visit www.beaverdamlake.org, or follow up-to-date postings on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/beaverdamlakemgmtdistrict/ .

For a Greater Cumberland -

Respectfully submitted: The Library Lake Restoration Project Fundraising Team

A View from the Lake by Tom Schroeder - President, Beaver Dam Lake Management District, September 18, 2024

On Monday, Sept. 16, 2024 the restoration/dredging of Library Lake began with Haas Inc. –

Thorp, WI. mobilizing to begin the process of 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, pumps will start the process of lowering the Lake by 4 to 5 feet by Oct. 1st per

the WDNR permit requirements. The Lake will remain lowered until after the dredging is

completed hopefully by mid. Jan. through Feb. 2025. With the forecasted influence of the La

Nina weather event causing lower than normal winter temperatures, the cattail and sediment will

hopefully be sufficiently frozen to allow the heavy backhoes and trucks to traverse the lake bed.

Over 1000 truckloads of material will be removed.

Because the WDNR would not permit the dredging along the north shore to take place closer

than 30 ft. from the shoreline, the BDLMD is working to obtain approval for the resident riparian

owners along Grove Street to opt for removing sediment along their respective shoreline for

docks and mooring of watercraft. This would be done concurrent with the dredging along the

north shore of Library Lake and would be at the owners expense.

The fund raising for Restoring Library Lake continues and 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. A “Venmo” account is available and a savings account specifically for the donations to

the project is in place at Cumberland Federal Bank. Donations to the Library Lake Restoration

fund can be mailed to the BDLMD at P.O. Box 232, Cumberland, WI. 54829 or dropped off at

Cumberland Federal Bank. Anyone wishing to donate stock to take advantage of tax

opportunities please contact your financial advisor or Matt Gores at Edward Jones. Go to

beaverdamlake.org for more details on the dredging project and how to donate.

The stop logs and side boards at the Dam were lowered on July 30th and Aug. 11th respectively,

when the lake was still several inches above normal. However, with the lack of sufficient rain

and the high evaporation rate, the lake level has continued to decline to about 4 inches below

normal. Hopefully we will get some substantial rain soon.

Be sure to watch Library Lake level go down. It is soon going to look a lot different!

September's meeting scheduled for Tuesday, September 10th

Click here to view the agenda for the upcoming Beaver Dam Lake Management District's meeting.

Attend the upcoming board meeting to hear what's being discussed. Hot topics like the updated Aquatic Plant Management Plan, an update on Library Lake Restoration Fund raising and project.