Geneva Lake Environmental Agency
The Geneva Lake Environmental Agency is determined to maintain Geneva Lake's resources by protecting, preserving and enhancing a desirable lake and watershed quality, through monitoring, protection and education.
WE MOVED!!
We are thrilled to share the exciting news that GLEA has relocated to a new office!
Our new address is:
105 N Elkhorn Rd. Williams Bay, WI 53191
Our new office is conveniently situated right next to Dip in the Bay in Williams Bay. We are eager to make use of our upgraded educational spaces. Feel free to drop by as we are still settling into our new office.
We appreciate your patience during this transition. Thank you!
Join Our Team!
We are hiring a Lake Manager Intern for the Summer of 2024! We are looking for a Junior or Senior currently enrolled in college, majoring in Environmental Science, Biology, Ecology, or a related field. The selected candidate will assist in various tasks related to the preservation and conservation of native aquatic plants, fish species, and aquatic macroinvertebrates in Geneva Lake and its surrounding areas. This position offers an excellent opportunity for hands-on experience in environmental conservation and management.
Interested candidates should submit a resume, cover letter detailing their qualifications and interest, and unofficial transcripts to Jacob Schmidt, Executive Director, at info@gleawi.org. Applications will be accepted until April 1, 2024.
GLEA has officially ended its annual summer beach testing season with the closure of all public beaches on Labor Day. Please check back next year on Memorial Day when beaches open for the summer!
2023 SUMMER PUBLIC BEACH TESTING
2023 SUMMER REPORTS
Nearshore Fisheries Survey
GLEA worked with retired DNR staff on conducting a Nearshore Fisheries Survey for the lake. This survey has been done 4 times on Geneva Lake, beginning in 1978 and the most recent one conducted in 2018. The report not only describes current fish populations, but also compares them to previous surveys as well.
A total of 18 sites were sampled to understand the nearshore fish population. Gar, darter species, bass, panfish (bluegill, sunfish, perch, rock bass), bullheads, and killifish, where among just some of the species found. Read the full report below!
Aquatic Plant PI Survey
GLEA worked with Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission on our Annual Aquatic Plant PI Survey.
Through sampling a grid of points on the lake, we can document the overall plant diversity as well as locations of certain species. This survey also helps us monitor where starry stonewort is and how it spreads year to year. Look out for that report later this year!
Boat Count
GLEA conducted the annual boat count early August to assess boats docked and moored on Geneva Lake. Motorized boats, sailboats, personal watercraft, and non-motorized vessels, are all included. The GLEA spends a day on the water counting boats on the shore and collecting numbers from storage facilities and marinas. The "Data" tab has more information on comparative counts for past years.
Follow the link below to read the 2023 Boat Count assessment!
Check out new boat cleaning stations at Williams Bay, Lake Geneva, and Fontana launches!
Brought to you by the Geneva Lake Environmental Agency, Villages of Williams Bay and Fontana, the City of Lake Geneva, and WI DNR grant.
CD3 Roadside
Waterless Cleaning System
We encourage you to clean your boat when entering and exiting Geneva Lake to help us stop the spread of aquatic invasive species
A CLEAN BOAT MEANS CLEAN WATERS
Thank you to Ms. Garcia & Katrina, Elizabeth, Julia, and Chris for finding this excellent resource and sharing the importance of lake ecology!
STARRY STONEWORT UPDATE July 27, 2022.
We spent time at the starry stonewort colony site scuba diving to monitor populations. Starry stonewort is an invasive plant that was first seen in Geneva Lake in 2018. These plants are solely male and spread by releasing bulbils, that act as seeds, growing wherever they land. Movement such as hand-pulling is believed to actually stir up these seed-like bulbils and cause more damage by promoting spreading. Through routine dive checks on known population sites we are able to see how these plants are growing. While starry stonewort hasn't gone away, we haven't seen too much growth and believe our native species have been doing a good job at keeping this invasive plant at bay.
Diving with Linn Fire Department
Underwater photos of aquatic plants at a starry stonewort colony site
SWIMMERS ITCH
How to stay safe this summer
Swimmer's itch is caused by flatworm larvae that can unintentionally latch onto human skin when looking for a waterfowl host and cause irritation or itchiness. They like warm water at around 72°F. When your skin dries, the larvae will burrow into the skin and eventually die, but this typically results in some uncomfortable itchiness.
WAYS TO TREAT
Don't scratch! Use an antihistamine lotion. Don't panic, swimmers itch is rarely serious and will pass in a couple days
CONTACT US
Tel. 262-245-4532
PO Box 914
105 N Elkhorn Rd.
Williams Bay, WI 53191
Our Office:
Located in the same building as Dip in the Bay, Ice Cream Shop.
105 N Elkhorn Rd., Williams Bay, WI 53191
Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:30 AM - 5 PM