Welcome

It continues to be an honor and a privilege to be a part of the Decatur Lake and Mill Race Association, comprised entirely of dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers. In 2018 we started to pursue recommendations from the Decatur Lake Feasibility Study which was published by Montgomery and Associates and funded through a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. An initiative suggested in the study was the enhancement of Decatur Dam Park. A Committee has been formed to pursue enhancements, and one of their decisions to open up the view of the Dam from the pavilion, has already been completed. A new driveway entrance with drop off area, nature trails, and fishing pier are all under consideration. Susan Lehnhardt from the Lower Sugar River Watershed Association is taking the lead on the ecological site mapping and the removal of invasive species in the same area.

We also completed a number of projects last year, including the following:

     Twelve geodesic signs have been constructed and installed at boat launch areas along the Sugar River from Belleville to the Illinois state line. They provide extensive information for canoeists, kayakers, and others regarding their current location as well as distance and approximate paddling time to other take-out locations. Considerable volunteer effort was required for this project – have you ever tried digging a post hole through roots, rock, and/or sand?

     The Association has purchased pier components to be installed in various locations this year.

     We participated in the annual Sugar River clean-up.

Over the past few months we have been very fortunate to have developed active, working relationships with the Pearl Island project, the City of Brodhead, the Southern Wisconsin Land Conservancy (SWLC), and the Lower Sugar River Watershed Association (LSRWA).

The Board of Directors and I are saying, “Please join our journey. Become a part of our quest to demonstrate the strength of a dedicated community.”