July 16 - Water Temp = 76 degrees
In the Northwoods of Oneida County, Wisconsin
Miles of Crystal Clear Water
Lake Mildred Surface Temperature
April 26 - 52 degrees
  11/15/14=ice-up        4/12/15 ice-out
Lake Level up about 12" in 5 months!
May 6 -  WATER NOW IN LAKE MILDRED & CLEAR LAKE CHANNEL!
 John & Kristine Mladucky were up last weekend, to spend an AWESOME weekend, fishing, kayaking, and even enjoying cleaning up around the cottage. 
And look at what they sent us - a beautiful picture of water in the channel now joining Lake Mildred and Clear Lake - once again!

~~ Upcoming Events  ~~
2015 Meeting dates are now posted at LMPOA "Meetings/Minutes" (click here)
SPRING KICK-OFF MEETING!
May 23rd, 9:00 AM, Newbold Town Hall
Special Guest speaker! (details inside)
 Bearpaw Island  -  Then, and Now
What a difference 7 years (and a bunch of rain) can make.
(photos by Sandy Ebben)
Lake Mildred Area News
  JULY 10 - RECORD HIGH LAKE LEVELS AGAIN!  LAKE MILDRED & CLEAR LAKE HIT NEW HIGH OF 16 1/4" OVER OHWM -  The rain just doesn't stop, and so does the rising lake level, which is now 16 1/4 inches above the ordinary high water mark.  
  MURKY WATER - One of the results of the high water level is the murky water this year, quite unlike the crystal clear water that we normally have.  So much shoreline debris has been washed into the lake; not only docks, rafts and boats but also logs and leaves and topsoil etc.   All the more reason to take it slow and easy when we go boating, to keep the boat wakes at a minimum.

  JULY 6 - LET'S WORK TO PREVENT DAMAGE TO OUR SHORELINE DURING HIGH WATER  - LMPOA President Paul Evans wrote a letter to everyone, urging us all to boat carefully to try and avoid causing erosion and dock and other damage during this period of unprecedented high water.  Please read this missive at The President's Corner.

  JULY 4 - WATCH OUT FOR THE LOONS!  The Werners are avid loon-watchers, and have a message for everyone:  "Earlier this summer the original loons' nest was destroyed after the damaging storm we had on the afternoon of June 12. Unfortunately due to the storm, both eggs were sent into the water and the nest destroyed. It, indeed, was a sad day for those of us who love the loons.  The good news is that our family just noticed two days ago that the loons have re-nested and are currently sitting on eggs. The nest is in the exact same spot, only a bit further back. This is great news, however the loons now face the high water and extreme wakes, along with the everyday threat of roaming wildlife.  PLEASE spread the word to protect these lovely creatures AND hopefully help protect so the eggs can hatch! Keeping our fingers crossed."

  JULY 2 - ANNUAL FLOATILLA A SUCCESS - BUT BARELY - The Annual Floatilla held yesterday was nearly rained out, saved only by clearing skies just a matter of minutes before the start.  We have photos and even a video of the live music on a pontoon boat that included a shark (if, that is, we can figure out how to embed the video).  See the 2017 Photos page for more.

  JUNE 23 - BOATERS!  PLEASE BE CAREFUL!! The non-stop rains we have received have brought lake levels higher than anyone can recall - over 15 inches above the OHWM.   This means that the edge of the lake is now touching on ground that has never before been in contact waves - let alone BIG waves such as boat wakes!  Reckless boating with a big boat will now result in huge amounts of erosion, to the detriment of both the lake and lakefront owners.  Boat wakes are totally unnatural, especially on a mostly narrow lake like Lake Mildred and Clear Lakes.  Please keep your boat wakes small.

  JUNE 12 - 3.4 INCHES OF RAIN YESTERDAY ALONE! It just won't stop raining, and yesterday we got 3.4 inches of rain, plus it looks to start raining again within the hour (it's 6:28 pm).  The lake level is now 14.6" Above the OHWM - the highest anyone can recall.  Watch out for semi-submerged logs and debris, and even docks!

  JUNE 7 - SUDDENLY IT'S SUMMER - Soaring temps outside means the lake is also warming fast - very very fast.  After remiaining colder than normal for many weeks, the sudden dry & hot outdoor temps are warming the lake fast, with some surface temp measurements in the last 2 days over 70 degrees!  But lake temps normalize overnight.
  UNUSUALLY MURKY WATERS - Our unusual weather gave most of the Northwoods quickly rising lake waters.  Here on Lake Mildred & Clear Lakes we are nearly a foot over the OHWM.  This leads to not only docks and boats floating away, but also logs, twigs, leaves, pollen general detritus - and thus the lake water is murkier than we've ever seen.  Especially now, when the murky water combines with a very heavy pollen.

  JUNE 4 - SYNCHRONICITY: THE HATCHING OF DRAGONFLIES AND MOSQUITOES AT THE SAME TIME - It doesn't happen often enough, but this year the dragonflies & the mosquitoes are appearing at the same time.  The dragonflies started emerging from the lake last night, at about the same time that the mosquitoes -the dragonfly's favorite food - started hatching in droves.  The peepers were peeping loudly all last night and still today as a calm, sunny and warm day dawns - and all seems right with the world once again.   We say, "let the dragonflies eat their fill of mosquitoes".... Eat Eat Eat!

  JUNE 1 - LAKE LEVEL AT RECORD HIGH?  As of today, Lake Mildred's water level is 11.5" over the OHWM (Ordinary High Water Mark), the highest we here at LMPOA have ever seen.  If you ask the "old timers" who have seen Lake Mildred's water levels change through the years, you come to realize that right now may be the highest Lake Mildred's water level has ever been (at least, in recorded history!).  

  MAY 28 - MINUTES OF THE MAY 27th LMPOA MEETING NOW POSTED - You can see them at the Meetings/Minutes page.

  LAKE FINALLY WARMING?  The lake is still colder than normal for this time of year, but finally cracked above 60 again.  Keep going.  BUT, please stop raining; the lake is well over the OHWM (ordinary high water mark) as it is!

  MAY 27 - GREAT PLCA MEETING! - Thanks to everyone who made it to today's spring Lake Mildred & Clear Lake Association meeting.  Another record turnout, and another great speaker, as Professor Paul Ehlers talked to us about the formation and hydrology of the Lake Mildred & Clear Lakes and how they were formed by the glaciers.  Full minutes of the meeting will be forthcoming.

  MAY 25 -KAYAKS WANTED TO BUY - Lee Curtes will be a new owner on Lake Mildred as of June 22, and is looking to buy a couple used kayaks for the grandkids.  If anyone on the lake is interested in selling their kayak, you can call Lee at 262-623-5349.
 
  MEMORIAL WEEKEND KICKOFF IS CLOSE - We think of Memorial Day Weekend as the kickoff to the summer season.  So do a lot of people, and from the heavy traffic on the highways today - a THURSDAY- it appears that everyone decided to "beat the Friday rush" at the same time!

  MAY 21 - YET ANOTHER DOCK FLOATER!  The high water and winds have 'freed' yet another piece of shoreline gear; Richard Nelson writes: "a section of dock decking with a yellow "pool noodle" bumper has arrived at our place for a visit.  I'll see if I can drag it out of the water so the owner can locate and retrieve it."  Photo at left.

  MAY 20 - HIGH WATER REMINDERS - Yesterday a pontoon boat broke free of its moorings in the high water & winds.  Plus many docks & rafts & other shoreline items have floated away onto the lake, joining the many logs and debris.  So please boat carefully AND re-check your shorelines to be sure everything is secure.
  HIGH WATER AND BOAT WAKES = SHORELINE DAMAGE - Another thing to be careful of when power boating, is that the wake caused by your boat is much higher than normal at middle speeds.  These high boat wakes can cause much damage to the lake's natural shoreline now that the water is high.  Lakes did not 'evolve' with any natural 'defenses' to boat wakes, which did not exist until recent decades.
  HAIL DAMAGE - It has been reported that the big hail storm that occurred a couple weeks ago has severly damaged some Lake Mildred roofs - much to the owners surprise.  Be sure to inspect your roof carefully for hail damage, and notify your insurance company if you have any damage or questions.

  MAY 18 - BUY YOUR TICKETS TO THE ARK SOON - THEY'RE GOING FAST!  - The rain just won't stop; another 1.6" yesterday, and nearly 4" of rain in just a few days.  Lake Mildred and Clear Lake are above the ordinary high water marks, and in fact are higher than anyone (that we've talked to) has ever seen.

  MAY 16 - LMPOA MEETING & EVENT SCHEDULE - Be sure to calendar the upcoming LMPOA meetings and events, which can be found at the Lake Association Meetings/Minutes page.  Next up is the regular LMPOA Spring Kickoff meeting on Saturday May 27 at 9 am, at the Newbold Town Hall.  Special Speaker is Paul Ehlers, instructor of Geography & Geology at Nicolet College.

  MAY 10 - MORE DOCK PARTS FLOATED AWAY FROM 'HOME' - Jim Harter writes to report that "There were 2 pieces of dock washed up on shore between us and Jonesi's house last week. Clearly custom made out of 1x5 boards. One piece is approx. 3'x4', the other approx. 2'x4'. They are standing up against the fence between our houses. My best guess is they came from the direction of the narrows as the wind was blowing strong that day out of the southwest."

  MAY 9 - BOAT LIFT WANTED - Let's 'Keep it Local", if we can!  One of our Lake Mildred folks is looking to buy a used boat lift, preferably from another Lake Mildred owner.  If you have a boat lift that you'd like to sell, please contact Mick Howen at mjhowen@hotmail.com or call/text: 608-228-0822.

  MAY 4 - NOW AVAILABLE!  SPRING NEWSLETTER and 2017 DUES STATEMENT NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE - You can now see the latest newsletter and/or print a copy of the 2017 LMPOA Dues Statement, by visiting the "Lake Association Newsletters & Dues" section. 
  NEW SIGN AT BOAT LANDING - In response to concerns about the danger involved with people try to use the boat landing like a swimming beach, the LMPOA Board has installed a sign at the boat landing, informing everyone that they should stay clear of the area when boats are using the landing for its intended purpose.  A photo of the sign appears at left.

  APRIL 30 - A COLD COLD WEEK - Winter just doesn't want to let go, and the lake remains cold, not having warmed at all this week.

  APRIL 21 - LAKE WARMS TO 50 DEGREES - Another milestone in the progress of the seasons, today the lake reached 50 degrees.  Appropriately, this measurement was made on this sunny afternoon as two eagles corkscrewed over the lake, riding the strong North wind, and a sole loon yodeled, warning everyone of the danger in the sky.

  APRIL 18 - ANOTHER FLOATER  ON CLEAR LAKE - The high water and high winds have set loose yet another one!  J & K Ducky report yet another "floater", saying: "Someone's missing pier from Clear Lake is stranded on the south end by the channel going into Mildred".  A photo of this pier is at left.

  APRIL 17 - MUSKY MATING  - In many years fishing, I've never witnessed the musky mating ritual - until today.  A pair of musky, one about 4 feet long and the other about 3 feet, swam slowly along side each other in 1-2' of water, with the smaller musky often sidling up to and appearing to 'rub' the larger fish; presumably encouraging her to lay her eggs.  We must do a little research on the subject.  The water temp is now 46 degrees.
  WATERCRAFT LOST IN HIGH WINDS - Several boats and dock portions -as well as logs and such- have been seen floating around in places they should not be.  Also, we've been told that someone's canoe had drifted around on Clear Lake.   A combination of the rising lake level and the high winds seems to be the culprit.
  GEESE VISIT BOO - AGAIN - Just like last year, as a pair of geese swam by the Ebben place, when the geese spotted the Ebben's white cat Boo near shore, the geese swam over to 'talk', or so it appeared.  The really funny thing about this is that the same thing happened at the same time last year.  Because the cat and the geese sit quite close to each other for maybe 10 minutes, one has to wonder what they talk about!

  APRIL 12 - LAKE LEVELS KEEP RISING!  Stan Strub of Clear Lake has been keeping water levels for years, and Stan reports "I have water level recording at plus 6 1/8" above pre ice (10/21/16) recordings, and plus 50 1/8" Pre ice Fall 2013. That's before this stuff melts. My records show highest levels since we've been here May, 1992."  Wow - we think that qualifies as a "Most Interesting Statistic":  Clear Lake (& Lake Mildred) have RISEN 50 1/8 INCHES since Fall 2013!  And to boot, these are the highest water levels in about 25 years - quite possibly more.
Stan also sends along this neat photo of from Clear Lake after the most recent snow storm.

  APRIL 8 - THE ICE IS OUT!  THE LOONS ARE BACK!  Let's call today as the 'official' ice-out day, because the lake is now about 95% ice free.  Also today, our voiceless loon suddenly got its voice back, and was joined by its partner; altho we have not viewed the loon's leg bands and therefore cannot be certain these are "our Lake Mildred" loons, we're fairly certain they are, because the pair was noticed 'hanging around' Crane Island, their preferred nesting spot.  And as a mature bald eagle flew out of a nearby tree and swooped over the loon pair, the loons let out a yodel, the eagle kept going, and all is back normal!
  ICE-OUT LAKE LEVEL ABOVE ORDINARY HIGH WATER MARK - Although we don't have the exact numbers yet, Lake Mildred and Clear Lake rose over the winter approximately 5 inches above the level at last year's ice-up, and above the 'Ordinary High Water Mark'.  For those of you who left your docks in over the winter, you are probably going to want raise your dock again, like last year.

  APRIL 7 - LOON SIGHTING! At last one loon is back on Lake Mildred today, first sighted this afternoon on the mid-section of the lake just west of Donut Island.  Quite unusual in that this loon was quiet - as though the loon still was without its voice, as if it were still in Florida.  As you may know, many of our local loons winter in Florida waters, and during that time are plain brown and quiet - quite unremarkable.  We haven't seen it's leg band yet, so don't know if it is "our" loon, or simply passing through.  Either way, it is very good to see a loon back on our lake, in beautiful black and white, even if the loon is still 'without voice'.  The western end of the leg is mostly ice-free, but the main lake is still mostly covered with ice....for only a little longer.

  APRIL 1 - LAKE MILDRED HOME JUST LISTED FOR SALE!  - A Lake Mildred home was just listed for sale, and it's really worth checking out.  You can see the details at the "Lake Mildred & Clear Lake Real Estate For Sale" page, or simply click this link.  Check out that awesome sandy beach!
  AND OH MY GOODNESS it is SO good to see the calendar turn to April, because that means the entire open water & warmer weather season is stretching out in front of us!  Our personal favorite season.

> SEEING A LOT OF THESE SIGNS
AROUND LAKE MILDRED & CLEAR LAKE
Everyone who joins LMPOA receives
one of these blue signs and the bolts
to mount it on the fire number pole. 
  Joining LMPOA is a great way to help
protect and preserve Lakes Mildred
and Clear for future generations.

  2017 LAKE MILDRED HOMES FOR SALE - You can see the latest listings at the "Real Estate for Sale" page, or by clicking HERE.

>To see the News that previously appeared here, click on Older News<
"A lake is the landscape's most beautiful and expressive feature. It is Earth's eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature."     
- Walden, by Henry David Thoreau -
KEEP LAKE MILDRED CRYSTAL CLEAR
(6/19/16 CLARITY = 23 FEET)
To prevent invasive species, Please clean your boat, trailer, and bilge before moving it between lakes.
MEMBER OF NEWBOLD LAKES COMMITTEE.
click here to check them out

"If you were grading on a curve...compared to other lakes in Wisconsin...Lake Mildred is at the top of the gifted and talented list"
-- Tim Hayman, Lake Scientist, Onterra Inc,
Preserve & Protect Lake Mildred
 for Future Generations.
Prevent Invasive Specioes.
Keep Lake Mildred Crystal Clear --
Lake Clarity 5/13/13 = 28 feet
If you would like to join our email list to receive info about Lake Mildred, newsletters and the like, just let us know by sending an email to LMPOA secretary Sandy Ebben (click here)
WE HOPE YOU LIKE THE WEBSITE MAKEOVER
-> Re-organized Menus and info   
-> New & Updated Fishing and Lake Plan Pages
> The new Photos pages have *many* more photos
Lake Mildred Property Owners Association (LMPOA) News
(note: for older news see Association page)
  SEPTEMBER 6 - THE NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS & OFFICERS are now posted online; see the details at the About LMPOA page.
and
MINUTES OF AUGUST 30 MEETING NOW POSTED at the Minutes/Meetings page.
and
2015 MEETING SCHEDULE ALSO POSTED at that page.

  SEPTEMBER 2 - Eli Simon & Jasmine Labs have been hired by LMPOA as Lake Mildred Clean Boats/Clean Waters Boat Inspectors (see their photo, right)

  AUGUST 30 - ANOTHER NICE TURNOUT FOR THE FALL LMPOA MEETING!  We had an interesting meeting and covered many subjects, as well as electing new directors.  More details will be posted here in a day or two....but meanwhile, THANK YOU and CONGRATULATIONS to our new directors!

  BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION - SHORT BIOS NOW AVAILABLE - At the next meeting of LMPOA (on August 30, 9 am) the members will be electing some new directors.  CLICK HERE to see a short bio of the 4 candidates running for the positions on the board


> OLDER & 'OTHER' LAKE ASSOCIATION NEWS CAN BE SEEN AT "ASSOCIATION NEWS & SUCH" PAGE <
Somewhat premature elation, perhaps, but we can't help it, given the warming temps and melting snow....
Neal Smout, Connie Muckelberg, Carl  Corey and Pete Muckelberg display the new "Kids Don't Float" life-preserver lending station for Lake Mildred's boat landing.
Pete Muckelberg & Neal Smout display LMPOA's New Banner that will sometimes be displayed at the boat landing - to help prevent Invasive Species
HAVE ANY MATERIAL OR PICTURES YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE ON THE WEBSITE?
HAVING ANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS WEBSITE?   If so, please EMAIL ME!


9-28-14 Bobby Draeger (son of Bonnie & Steve Draeger) heard this moose walking thru the woods near the West side of their house and cross Lake Mildred in just 3-4 minutes.

Lake Level Trend since ice-out 4/15/16
Level = 2.0" below OHWM (-2.0 OHWM)
Lake Level Has Risen 10" since Ice-Out
> CLICK FOR GRAPH & DATA <

HAVE ANY MATERIAL OR PICTURES YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE ON THE WEBSITE?
HAVING ANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS WEBSITE?   If so, please EMAIL ME!


Copyright 2017 David Ebben