BML-LML Joint Mtg 20100204
Little Muskego Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District
Big Muskego Lake/Bass Bay Protection and Rehabilitation District
Deputy Commissioners
Minutes for February 4, 2009
Call to Order:
Call to order: Meeting was called to order at 7:40pm at Muskego City Hall, City of Muskego,
W182 S8200 Racine Avenue, Muskego, WI 53150
Roll Call Present:
Little Muskego Lake: Larry Lefebvre (President), Tom Reck (Secretary),
Brian Volkman (Treasurer), Keith Werner (Alderman),
Absent: John Pledl (County Supervisor),
Big Muskego Lake: Len Pilak (Chair), Tom Kies (Secretary),
Greg Burmeister, Dennis Paulson, Larry Schweitzer
City of Muskego: Tom Zagar (staff liaison)
Pledge of Allegiance:
All present recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the USA.
Statement of Public Notice:
Meeting was properly posted at city hall, with the media, and on the City Web site with the City of
Muskego as appropriate.
New Business:
Aquatic Plant Management
Len Pilak stated the deputy commissioners came to this meeting to get information about harvesting
aquatic plants and the feasibility of this management tool on Big Muskego Lake/Bass Bay -
specifically an idea of costs, funding, manpower and permits. Discussion ensued. Weed cutting on
Little Muskego is done in areas of approximately 2.5’ to 10’ depth of water on approximately 75%
of the lake at cutting depths of 1’ to 4’.
Fay Amerson, Little Muskego Lake consultant, stated that the Big Muskego/Bass Bay District
would need to have an aquatic plant management plan and permit to conduct weed harvesting
Big & Little Muskego Lake Districts Page 1 of 2 Minutes for February 4, 2010
activities and suggested contacting Heidi Bunk and Brooke Robinson at the DNR. Little Muskego
Lake District cuts 1,200 truck loads throughout the summer last year, direct weed harvesting costs
are estimated around $185,000, which equates to approximately $160 per truckload, or $80 per
weed cutter load removed from the lake.
Big Muskego is possibly interested in weed harvesting on Bass Bay in a pilot program during the
2011 summer season. At the request of Alderman Werner Little Muskego Lake Commissioners
agreed to provide an estimate of potential costs for the use of a Cutter, Conveyer, Truck, and
manpower on Big Muskego Lake / Bass Bay for an eight hour day – every other week. Discussion
took place regarding an adequate launch point and proximity to the cutting area (Bass Bay). It was
noted that there is no public launch on Bass Bay and the private launch at the end of Sobek Lane is
quite shallow. This could make operations more costly as there is a good 2 miles distance to
transport weeds out of Bass Bay to the Public Boat Launch.
Water Quality Monitoring:
Tom Zagar will continue to take readings of the Water Quality of all Muskego Lakes.
Lake Level Management:
Len Pilak raised concerns about how the Little Muskego Lake fall drawdown affects Big Muskego
and Bass Bay. Little Muskego has City DPW crews lower the water about 1 ½’ beginning in mid
October through mid April. Len Pilak stated that unless Big Muskego’s dam is also opened to let
the water pass, the lake and bay can go into winter with higher than normal water that can cause ice
heave damage to shorelines. Tom Zagar noted that in the past City DPW crews would open up both
dams to facilitate this but for some reason it had not been done this year. Coordination of the draw
downs needs to take place between the Districts and City. Greg Burmeister suggested Wind Lake
also be contacted regarding drawdown coordination.
Adjournment:
Len moved to adjourn. Adjourned at 8:17pm.
Big & Little Muskego Lake Districts Page 2 of 2 Minutes for February 4, 2010