River Country RC&D

To donate to the Bugle Lake Restoration Fund, Please contact:

The City of Independence
23688 Adams St.,
P.O. Box 189
Independence, WI 54747
Phone: 715 985 3055
Fax: 715 985 2530
E-mail: indchall@triwest.net
Website: http://www.independencewi.org/

Independence, a city with a population of 1,200, is located in Trempealeau County, WI. In the center of Independence is Bugle Lake, an estimated 20 acre impoundment of the approximately 72,000 acre Elk Creek Watershed. Over the years Bugle Lake has supported water recreation activities including fishing, swimming, diving, canoeing, boating, and water ski jumping.

            Land use patterns in the Elk Creek Watershed have since changed the formation of Bugle Lake. Agricultural practices have caused erosion upstream and deposition and accumulation of sediment in Bugle Lake. The pond was dredged once in the 80’s, but has since then continued to fill in. Originally Bugle Lake was 90 acres in size and had depths of 10-15 feet. Presently the lake is down to 20 acres with an average depth of 2.6 feet. This shallow depth is a serious impediment to wildlife habitat and lake recreation. The quality of the water in the lake has dropped, and is of major concern due to the demand for usable surface water. The City would like to improve the lake as a multiple-use surface water resource.

            The City proposes a two part approach to the project. 1.) To reduce the amount of sediment entering the lake, the City will promote stream bank protection and soil conservation programs in the Elk Creek Watershed. 2.) To deepen and enlarge the lake to improve its usability to the public, the City will dig the lake out to a larger size and greater depth. The City of Independence is working with hydrologists and engineers to design swimming areas, boat landings, deep water habitat, and shallow water habitat that will be best suited for the lake’s well being and local use.

The City of Independence, in conjunction with River Country RC&D, WI DNR, Elk Rod and Gun Club, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, and numerous other civic groups, has been working to coordinate and develop these plans and options to restore Bugle Lake. They have also participated in numerous fundraising and petition activities.

If your business would like to support the restoration fund, feel free to hang the following flyers in your window.

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