At a news conference overlooking Lake Mendota, Don Heilman of the Clean Lakes Alliance (CLA) presented a $50,000 check to Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk and City of Middleton representatives. This donation – along with funding from the county, the City of Middleton and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources – will allow construction of a new sediment basin to prevent more than 41,000 pounds of runoff into the lake each year.

The new storm water basin will be built at a storm sewer discharge point located in Middleton’s Lake View Park. Design work on the facility will take place this year, with construction slated to begin in 2011.

The Clean Lakes Alliance funds lake and water improvement projects in Dane County with proceeds from the annual Clean Lakes Festival.

The article below appeared in the Middleton-Times Tribune on June 24, 2010. Clicking on it will enlarge it for viewing.

The rooftop of the Edgewater Hotel was converted to a celebratory atmosphere on June 3, when the Clean Lakes Alliance hosted a Sunset Party to celebrate the beginning of the lake season. The event brought together lakeside residents, community stakeholders and others who place priority on improving the conditions of the lakes and waterways in Dane County.

At the event, the Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission – which partners with the Clean Lakes Alliance – announced the recipients of the Dane County Water Champion Awards. These annual awards recognize individuals, businesses and organizations whose efforts have made a positive difference in protecting and improving the water quality of area lakes.

Through the Clean Lakes Festival, the Clean Lakes Alliance is has raised nearly $100,000 in the past three years to assist the efforts of the Lakes and Watershed Commission.

On May 19, Lands’ End officially announced its sponsorship of the 2010 Clean Lakes Festival to be held on Saturday, August 28 at Olin Park. Its $30,000 sponsorship of the festival is in keeping with the Dodgeville, WI company’s commitment to both sustainability and community outreach.

Adam Weil, Lands’ End director of uniforms, presented an enlarged check to Clean Lakes Festival Chairman Don Heilman before a crowd of Lands’ End employees that gathered on the shore of Lake Monona. The Mad-City Ski Team, which hosts and organizes the festival, followed with a brief ski show.

On June 19th, 2008 the Clean Lakes Committee and the Mad-City Ski Team were recognized by the Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission as the 2008 Water Champion!

The awards ceremony was held on June 19th at the Madison Club with special recognition by Dane County!!

The Clean Lakes Festival Committee and the Mad-City Ski Team are very pleased to receive this special honor and have worked very hard to raise money and organize this very special event to help out our most precious of resources, our local lakes.

Please remember to attend the 2009 Clean Lakes Festival on June 6th.  For more information please visit the Clean Lakes Website, or the Watershed Commission Website.

Waters Champion

The Dane County Lakes and Watershed Commission has announced its 2007 Dane County Waters Champion Award recipients. The awards are given annually recognizing individuals, organizations, businesses, and youth that have made outstanding contributions towards the protection and improvement of Dane County’s water resources. Their work has made a positive impact on water quality as well as the scenic, economic, recreational and environmental value of those lakes and streams.