Welcome To Potter's Lake!

About Our District

About The Lake | Commissioners | About The Lake Districts | Current Bylaws

The Board of Commissioners of the Potter's Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District (District) welcomes you to your home on Potter's Lake. The District was created in 1976 to improve the condition of Potter's Lake. We have made a great deal of progress in the last 25 years, but there is still much to do. All riparian (lakefront) owners on Potter's Lake are part of the District, as are residents of the Mirimar Subdivision, which owns three properties on Potter's Lake.

ABOUT THE LAKE
Potter's Lake is a small seepage lake located on the far northeast end of the Sugar-Honey Creek Watershed. As a seepage lake, Potter's Lake is highly dependant upon its watershed area, which encompasses about 576 acres in the Town of East Troy. Of the 576 acres, approximately 43 percent are urban and 57 percent rural.
The lake is formed from a shallow depression at the base of a moraine. The lake has a total volume of 1,304 acre-feet, with an average depth of about 8 feet. Approximately 19 percent of the lake is less than 3 feet deep. The lake level is only partially controlled by a culvert (dam), maintained by the District, located near the Public Launch on Highway L. The navigable lake area is 162 acres, and the shoreline is approximately 2.2 miles. The maximum depth of Potter's Lake is 26 feet.

Hydrographic and Morphometric Data (source: WDNR)

Size of lake	162 acres
Lake Volume	1,304.2 acre feet
Length of Shoreline	2.2 miles
Maximum Depth	26 feet
Mean Depth	8 feet
Percent of area less than 3 feet deep	19%
Percent of area greater than 20 feet deep	5.5%

HISTORY
Potter's Lake was named for John Potter, East Troy’s first postmaster and first attorney. Born in 1816, Mr. Potter came to East Troy in 1837 and settled on 350 acres of land around the shores of what is now Potter's Lake. Mr. Potter went on to serve as a Walworth County judge, a member of the Wisconsin legislature, and a U.S. Congressman. Mr. Potter is said to have been a friend and confidant of Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War and was once challenged to a duel by a Southern Congressman. Mr. Potter died in 1899 and is buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery in East Troy.

NATURE
Aquatic plants found in Potter's Lake include muskgrass, coontail, common waterweed, water star grass, Eurasian watermilfoil, slender naid, nitella, white water lilly, curly leaf pondweed, sago pondweed, flat stem pondweed, and horned pondweed. Until recently, Eurasian watermilfoil and curly leaf pondweed dominated the vegetation. In 1975, the lake was chemically treated to remove all vegetation. From 1975 to 1997, the District maintained a harvesting program. In 1998, a selctive herbicide was applied to remove Eurasian watermilfoil from the lake and to promote the growth of native aquatic plants. Harvesting was not done in 1998 but is contemplated for future years, depending upon need and the ability to chemically “spot-treat” for milfoil should it return. To monitor progress, a plant survey is conducted annually.

Fish species found in Potter's Lake include rock bass, white sucker, grass pickerel, northern pike, black bullhead, yellow bullhead, largemouth bass, carp, black crappie, pumpkinseed, bluegill, green sunfish, and perch. The lake is stocked every few years by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) or by the District itself. A recent shocking of the lake showed the yellow perch (72 percent) to be the most common species of fish in Potter's Lake. Panfish dominate the fish population, accounting for more than 88 percent of the fish in the lake. Another, more comprehensive, fish survey has been scheduled by the DNR, probably for 1999. In addition to fish, the lake provides habitat and cover for waterfowl and small animals. Ducks, geese, muskrats, and blue herons all find homes on Potter's Lake.

ACTIVITIES
Potter's Lake offers something for everyone. In the Summer, you’ll see power boating, swimming, fishing, water skiing, and sailing. In the Winter, you’ll see skating, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, and ice fishing. In the Fall, you may also find the occasional duck or goose hunter on Potter's Lake. For all of its activities, a community survey in 1992 found that the number one use for Potter's Lake was for scenic viewing. Living on Potter's Lake, according to one family, was like being on vacation all the time!

Highlights of the District’s activities include:
-A weed harvester, conveyor and truck were purchased in 1976.
- Sanitary sewers were first installed in the District in 1977 and completed in 1981.
- The weed harvester was replaced in 1984.
- A second conveyor was purchased in 1986.
- A “Carp Out” event was held in 1987, and every year through 1995, to help raise funds for the construction of a storage building.
- A depth staff, used to measure the lake level, was installed in 1992.
- The truck was replaced in 1992.
- Also in 1992, the District received a five-year Lake Management Planning Grant for a water quality study.
- The storage building was constructed in 1993. It is located on Highway L, near the Public Launch.
- In 1994, the District held its first-ever Fourth of July “Boat Parade.” This annual event was expanded to include a “Lighting of the Lake,” with homeowners lighting flares along their shoreline, just after sunset.
- The parking lot for the Public launch was paved in 1995.
- Two new conveyers were purchased in 1995 as well.
- In 1996, the weed harvester was completely serviced and a new cutting head was installed.
- With no “Carp Out” in 1996, the District looked for a new fundraiser. A raffle was held late in the year, and three lucky winners received a pair of Packers tickets.
- In 1997, the District sought and received DNR approval to use Sonar, a selective aquatic herbicide, to control the Eurasian watermilfoil in the lake and to promote the growth of native aquatic plants. The treatment was applied in October of that year. We continue to monitor results but every indication is a complete success -- the milfoil is reduced, the native plants are returning, and the fish population is increasing in number and size.
- To prevent the reseeding of the milfoil plant, the District installed slow/no-wake buoys in several sensitive areas of the lake. State law requires that boats stay 200 feet or more from all shoreline areas, piers, and navigational markers.
- In an effort to acquire more of the watershed area, the District sought control over several pieces of property owned by the Town of East Troy. Three properties were given to the District and a fourth, transfer of which was not allowed in the deed restrictions, was leased to the District for $1.00 a year on a renewable ten-year lease.

Other helpful information about the District and living on Potter's Lake:
- An Annual Meeting of the District is held in late August or early September of each year. In addition, meetings of the District are held whenever there are special issues to consider, or events to plan.
- A District newsletter is published at least twice a year.
- During those years when harvesting is done, shoreline weeds are picked up by the weed harvester on the third Saturday of each month, June through September. Weed piles will be picked up at other times if the homeowner is available to assist loading the weeds onto the harvester.
- Weed piles should be placed in an accessible area, away from piers, boats, etc. Weed piles should also be free of any debris such as sticks, rocks, cans, etc. It is helpful if you place your weeds on an old piece of plywood. Keeping the weeds off the ground allows them to dry more quickly. The more dry the weeds are, the less the weight. The less the weight, the more the harvester can carry. That adds up to fewer trips and that saves us all time and money!
- As with all inland lakes, the DNR requires that boats be properly registered, that all necessary safety equipment is on board, and that the boat be operated in a safe and lawful manner. DNR requires that a wearable personal flotation device be on board for each passenger -- regardless of the type or size of boat. We recommend that all boaters take an approved boating safety class.
- Water skiing is from 8:00 a.m. to sunset on weekdays, and 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekends and holidays. No doubles on weekends or holidays.
- Boat travel is counterclockwise on weekends and holidays.
- All piers should have your house number displayed - “W1085,” for instance.
- If you have reason to use the Public Launch, be certain to obey all of the posted parking restrictions.
- Parking on Highway L is not permitted.
- As a courtesy to those who cross country ski, skate, and snowshoe, we ask that snowmobilers drive 200 or more feet toward the center of the lake before operating parallel to the shoreline.

For information about ordinances governing the lake, contact the Town of East Troy at 262/642-5386.
If you are building, remodeling, landscaping, or even building a deck, you should contact Walworth County for information about special restrictions and erosion control plans affecting lake properties.

While we have not experienced Zebra Mussels in Potter's Lake, we are always on the lookout. If you see one, or need more information about what to look for, contact one of the District Commissioners. For fishing restrictions, check the information board located at the Public Launch.

Again, welcome to Potter's Lake. For certain, our lake is improving because of the District’s management activities. But the work of the DNR and the District is not enough. As riparian owners, we each have a special responsibility to care for Potter's Lake. In some cases, we may need to spend a little money -- improving an eroding shoreline, fixing a boat motor that leaks oil, etc. In most case, caring for the lake just needs a little time and effort -- picking up harvested weeds, using common sense when applying lawn fertilizer, and disposing of oils and solvents properly.

Enjoy your home! If you have any questions or comments, we want to hear from you!
Sincerely,

The Potter's Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District

ELECTED COMMISSIONERS

Christine Celley (2012-2014)
Treasurer
(414) 852-0987

Barry Bonneau (2010-2012)
Chairman
(262) 745-0333

Bob Rice (2011-2013)
Secretary
(262) 642-2502

APPOINTED COMMISSIONERS

Jack Basso
Town Of East Troy Representative

ABOUT LAKE DISTRICTS

The details of the laws governing lake districts can be found in Chapter 33 of the Wisconsin State Statues and are encapsulated in the Guide to Wisconsin’s Lake Management Law.

What is a Lake District?

A lake district is a special purpose unit of Potter's. The first districts came into existence in 1974 with the passing of Chapter 33 of the Wisconsin State Statues. There are nearly 200 lake districts in Wisconsin today.

What is its purpose?

The purpose of a district is to maintain, protect, and improve the quality of a lake and its watershed for the mutual good of the members and the lake environment.

How is it formed?

A lake district can be formed in one of four ways:

* 1. By 51% of the landowners in the proposed district petitioning the county
or town board
* 2. By owners of 51% of the land in the proposed district petitioning the
county or town board
* 3. Resolution of a village board or city council
* 4. Conversion of a town sanitary district

Who is included?

The boundaries usually include the property of all riparian owners and can include off-lake property that benefits from the lake or affects the lakes watershed. The district may include all or part of a lake or more than one lake. A city or village must give its approval to be included in a district

How is it run?

Within a lake district, all property owners share in the cost of management activities undertake by the district. A lake district is a true example of participatory democracy. Residents who live in the district are eligible voters and all property owners have a vote in the affairs of the district. This is accomplished at an annual meeting which must be held between May 22 and September 8 each year.

Major decisions of annual meeting can include:

* Election of commissioners
* Approval of budgets
* Approval of contracts or projects costing of $5000

How is the lake district financed?

Property owners living within the boundaries of a lake district are required by law to pay the fees. The amount of those fees is voted on by the members at the annual meeting. This fee is usually a part of your property tax bill and may come in the form of a mill levy (it can be no more than 2.5 mill and is often much less--some districts have no fees of any sort), a special assessment, or user charge. Borrowing or grant programs can also be used to raise money if approved at the annual meeting .

What can it do?

* Make contracts, purchase or sell land, disburse money, take out loans, accept grants, sue and be sued.
* Develop and Carry out surveys or studies, manage aquatic plants, aeration, control erosion, dredge, control dams, monitor water quality
* A town, village, or city ~ delegate to the district the authority to adopt lake use regulations. These may include regulation of boating equipment, us~, or operation; aircraft; and travel on ice-bound lakes.
* Permits are needed from the DNR for some of these operations. The district has no authority to control land use.

Who runs it?

Normally, a lake district's day-to-day activities are carried out by a board of five commissioners. One 'is appointed by the county, one by the town. The remaining three are elected by the membership. One must be a resident and the other two either residents or property owners in the district. An exception to this convention could be i/the district was formed by the resolution of a town or village board or city council. Then, the governing body !' itself serves as the board of commissioners. At all times, the powers of the commissioners are subject to the decisions of the membership at the annual meeting. The commissioners must meet quarterly and the open meeting laws apply.

Commissioners can:

* Manage fiscal matters
* Maintain working relations and cooperation with Potter's and agency officials
* Develop plans, goals, research, and surveys for the protection and rehabilitation of the lake.

Can the district be dissolved?

A existing district may be dissolved by a 2/3 vote of the members at an annual meeting.