History of MWLA
Incorporated in 1992
The Association was incorporated in May, 1992 as the Manitowish Waters Lake Owners Association. Name later changed to Manitowish Waters Lakes Association with membership open to anyone in the Township within 1 mile of a lake or stream.
Original Officers: Bill Lambrecht, President; Bob O'Neil, Vice-President; Eleanor Butler, Secretary-Treasurer. Directors: Pete Rasey, Dick Grummon, Bert Cagney, Robb Warren, Herman Deisenroth, Dick Thoke.
Purpose: "to maintain, protect and enhance the quality of the Manitowish Waters Chain of Lakes and other waters in Manitowish Township for the collective interests of the members."
Leadership: Bill Lambrecht served as President until 1999. Tom Burlage served in 2000. Gayle Strand served from 2000 - 2003, Jack King 2003 - 2007, Karen Dixon 2007 - 2016. Bob Becker 2016 - 2019. Greg Holt 2019 - current
Membership: Current membership stands at 350+ households. Annual dues are $30.
1992-2002 First Decade Projects
- Three-year walleye stocking program.
- Navigation and warning buoys purchased for strategic points in Chain.
- Boating safety course/promotion of boating regulations.
- Two Lakes Fairs at the Discovery Center: well water-testing, participants included regional environmental representatives.
- Initiated Trout Pond for kids.
- Publication of Newsletter.
- Participation in Wisconsin Assn. of Lakes & Vilas Co. Lakes Assn. meetings and conferences.
- Monitoring of Clear Lake and Island Lake boat landings.
2002-2012 Second Decade Projects
- Educational outreach booths at annual summer and fall community events; continuation of July 4th Trout Pond.
- Partnered with the Manitowish Chain Defense Fund (Rest Lake Dam).
- Assisted UW-SP study of fish spawning & migration in the Chain.
- Provided content & testimony for Comprehensive Land Use Plan and rewrite of recently-enacted Town Zoning Ordinance.
- Roadside trash pickups on Hwy 51, later on County K.
- Grants support and volunteer assistance for Rest Lake Park Shoreline Restoration. Partnership with Town and North Lakeland Discovery Center to prevent and combat Aquatic Invasive Species by applying for DNR grants.
- Volunteering at Boat Landings for "Clean Boats Clean Waters" campaign.
- Recruitment of water quality monitors for all 10 lakes.
- Fish Habitat Project.
- Sponsor of DNR Rest Lake AIS grant.
2012-2022 Third Decade Projects
- Continuation of multi-year Manitowish Chain Aquatic Invasive Species DNR Grants in partnership with the Town and North Lakeland Discovery Center.
- Manitowish Waters Chain of Lakes Comprehensive Management Plan finalized to include 10 lakes above the dam, 3 lakes below the dam and connecting waterways.
- Partnership with the North Lakeland Discovery Center for AIS programs and trainings.
- Partnership with North Lakeland School and North Lakeland Discovery Center for Purple Loosestrife Beetle Project.
- Improved communication with members through MWLA website, Facebook, and MailChimp e-blasts.
- Partnership with Walleyes for Tomorrow to install fish sticks for fish habitat.
- Became owners of a 3/4-acre piece of shoreland property on Rest Lake to conserve for perpetuity.
- Continuation of meetings with DNR and owners of the Rest Lake Dam in regard to the Memorandum of Understanding for the operation of the dam.
