Marv Hunsaker, White Ash Lake, Polk County (147 acres, maximum depth 9 feet) -
Began monitoring in 1993.
Have you noticed a change in water quality and aquatic plants in the last 20 years?
Oh yes. Our lake is considered a flowage because the upper river starts northeast of us, and
we don’t know exactly what’s coming in, and it’s changed the structure of the lake. People
don’t quite understand exactly what happens, but the river does flow by two cattle feed lots.
That’s been the changes. We were the 6
th
cabin on the lake in 1952, and back then it was
very nice. Our weeds were wild rice. It’s changed, because of the 167 cabins on both lakes.
Especially in the last 20 years or so. In the 1800s our lake used to be 39 feet deep, and they
used it to float logs down for lumber. Now it’s only 9 feet deep, so that would be a little
difficult. Our weed harvester is really getting used. If we didn’t have one, we’d be able to
walk across the lake on weeds.
How do you use the data that you collect?
The data was sent into Madison WI to Jennifer Filbert. We use reports at our lake
association meeting.
Why did you decide to monitor water clarity?
They asked for volunteers, and I do a lot of volunteer work. I thought it’d be very
important. At that time we just did Secchi disc readings, and then we took classes with
Spooner for water chemistry so we started that. I do a lot of volunteer work.
What are some of the highlights that you have seen on your lake in the last 20 years?
Just watching the animals, the loons coming and going. Nothing life-threatening. It’s fun to
watch to see the changes from spring to fall. It’s quiet.
What are some of the disappointments?
The expansion of the weeds over the years, that’s what really disappointed me. The activity
on the lake with the overgrowth of jet skis and huge boats, way too big for that small lake.
We did have an opportunity to put in a restriction, we had to put it in because it got too
dangerous and the shore erosion got too much. We had a lot of shore erosion – we lost
about 7 feet from 1952 to the present. It gets dangerous sometimes out on the lake, and
invariably some people have a bit too many beers. For a small lake that can get dangerous.
What accounts for your longevity as a volunteer?
I enjoyed it, seeing the changes and the work we did helped us with grants and other things
with the DNR, which we appreciate. We’ve had good people that we’ve worked with there,
Jennifer Filbert – she was very helpful when the computer didn’t want to talk to me.
Do you have anything else that you would like other citizen lake monitors or people on
your lake to know about you?
The person that picked up the work is Pat Mahoney, we’ve got a pretty good group of
people up there. I kinda miss [volunteering], but other things came up.
Ron Jacob, Tuttle Lake, Marquette County (155 acres, maximum depth 33 feet).
Began monitoring in 1988.
We were unable to get in touch with Mr. Jacob.