Tug Lake District

The vision of the Tug Lake District is to assure sufficient financial resources to combat and control harmful blue-green algae within the lake, define the present and anticipated problems of Tug Lake, identify their causes and implement various educational and/or remedial measures to deal with the problems and undertake activities such as: protection of the fishery; control of harmful blue green algae, aquatic weeds and/or invasive species; reduction and or treatment of harmful sedimentation to abate internal nutrient cycling; and improving the health of the Tug Lake ecosystem.

1. Fund any expense needed to maintain our lakes' quality and assist in protecting lake properties for preset owners and future generations to come.
2. Manage and control the mitigation of harmful blue green algae.
3. Levy a property tax or "special charge" if authorized by District members at the Annual Meeting.
4. Borrow money for special purposes with approval at the Annual Meeting.
5. Make contracts for water quality monitoring and treatment.
6. Apply for and obtain State and other grants.

 Lake Districts are special purpose units of government designed to protect and rehabilitate lakes and their ecosystem for the benefit of residents, property owners and the general public. Since they were first authorized in Wisconsin in 1973, more than 250 Lake Districts have been established in Wisconsin, including four in Lincoln County. These districts work to manage and protect water quality, manage nuisance invasive species, and undertake other activities to maintain lake ecosystems, recreation and property values. Lake Districts must be organized and operated in accordance with Chapter 33 of Wisconsin Statutes.

Tug Lake residents have observed that algae blooms on the lake have increased, especially during the months of June and July. Tug Lake Task Force water testing research has indicated that phosphorus and chlorophyll are above normal healthy lake levels, and this condition can contribute to increased harmful blue green algae proliferation. The TLTF has determined that establishing a Lake District to fund an aeration system to decrease blue green algae is the best strategy to improve the ecosystem health of Tug Lake over time.