Preamble of the Mirror Lake Association By-Laws November 15, 1986
The Mirror Lake Association, Inc. located in Sauk County, Wisconsin is hereby organized and shall be operated for purposes of promoting and improving: the physical appearance; well being; and protecting the future of Mirror Lake.
- The Mirror Lake Association was officially organized on November 15, 1986.
- The first annual meeting was on June 20, 1987 – the membership was 63
- MLA worked with the Township of Delton and Dellona to obtain a uniform slow-no-wake ordinance on the entire lake.
- Chemical treatment to remove duckweed halted and mechanical harvesting began.
- MLA takes the lead in the restoration of the Frank Lloyd Wright/Seth Peterson cottage.
- MLA worked closely with the developers of Pine Cove Condominiums to ensure the shoreline is protected and erosion is controlled.
- MLA began awarding a trophy at the Delton Sportsmen’s Club Fisheree to the child, 12 or under who catches the largest fish. The trophy is later named in memory of Dennis “Bud” Reifsteck.
- MLA sponsored a county-wide Earth Day seminar.
- The first study on harvesting, lake, and water quality is completed by Lance Garner of the University of Wisconsin.
- Through the Town of Delton, MLA applies for and receives a grant for $10,000 from the DNR for a study of the nutrients and sediment entering Mirror Lake from Dell Creek.
- MLA works with the Dept of Transportation to resolve the runoff from the interstate and remove the delta that had formed.
- Arranged with the Delton Sportsmen’s Club and the Original Wisconsin Ducks for periodical removal of trees interfering with navigation.
- In cooperation with the Lake Delton Lake Association, the Blass Lake Association, the Village of Lake Delton, and Waste Management of South Central Wisconsin, the first joint clean up of lakes and the area surrounding the lakes begins – Project C.L.E.A. N. (Combined Local Efforts for Aquatic Nurturing)
- Worked with Sauk County to assure all dam repairs would be paid by the county and not be assessed to property owners.
- An application was made and secured for priority watershed status for Dell Creek.
- The MLA is incorporated as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation.
- Created an agreement with the Village of Lake Delton and the Town of Delton to become an equal partner in the weed harvesting program.
- Assisted the DNR in the purchase of the Ishnala property from Henrici’s Management Co. for the expansion of the state park.
- Assisted the state park in obtaining the necessary funds ($50,000) to construct an educational room as a part of the new building at the entryway to the park. This room is named in honor of Jerry and Lois Majerus.
- Through the Town of Delton, MLA obtains a second lake management grant ($10,000) to study the feasibility of dredging Mirror Lake.
- Conducted a raffle to raise the required funds needed to match the grant from the DNR.
- Held an open house BBQ for Camp Delton members to acquaint them with the lake. Boat rides, brats, soda, and information on the lake and MLA were available.
- Assisted the DNR in its efforts to acquire the Fern Dell property for the state park.
- Through the Town of Delton, MLA applies for a lake management grant to determine potential sites for the construction of a sediment reduction trap.
- Worked with the DNR on the master plan for the Mirror Lake State Park. The plan includes $1.6 million for the purchase of scenic and limited development easements from property owners. Park boundary is increased by 68 acres.
- Membership gives its approval to create a lake management district.
- MLA hosts the annual Sauk County supervisor’s picnic.
- In 2004 MLA has its first annual summer picnic.
- Operate and supply pontoon boats to give lake tours to Seth Peterson Cottage Conservancy visitors at their annual fundraising event during their fall cottage open house.
- Through the Town of Delton, MLA applies for a lake management grant ($175,000) to construct a sediment reduction trap.
- In 2006 the Sauk County Board of Supervisors creates the Mirror Lake Management District (MLMD).
- In 2007 the MLA directed association members, partner groups, and government officials in creating a short and long term planning document for lake improvements and strategies.
- In 2008 received a gift of a small weed harvester that allows us to harvest closer to shore and in small areas.
- In 2008 hosted Governor Jim Doyle and gave him and other state officials a boat tour of the lake.
- In 2008, received a $1,000,000 grant from the State of Wisconsin to dredge, at the west end of the lake, a sediment trap, and a navigational channel from the Hwy 23 bridge to the Seth Peterson Cottage.
- The dredging of the west end is done during the summer of 2009. Additional dredging was done at the end of the narrow across from the state park boat ramp.
- In 2009, along with the state park staff and the Friends of Mirror Lake State Park, help clean out and preserve the Hags Craig cottage within the park property.
- June of 2009 was the flooding of Mirror Lake, which also caused the draining of Lake Delton.
- In 2010-2011 the dam was repaired and improved by Sauk County.
- In 2010 stabilized eroding gullies around the lake and had retention ponds build at the top to stop runoff and prevent deltas from forming out into the lake.
- In 2011 the MLA and partners updated the short and long term planning document of 2007 for lake improvements and strategies.
- In 2011 the MLA celebrated its 25th year of existence.
- In 2011 the MLMD assumes responsibility from the Village of Lake Delton for harvesting aquatic plants.
- In 2012 MLA holds first annual Flotilla.
- In 2013 the MLMD purchases the aquatic plant harvester from the Village of Lake Delton with a DNR matching grant and begins harvesting aquatic plants.
- In 2014 the MLMD began the Clean Boats Clean Waters Program to inspect boats and educate boaters at the MLSP boat launch.
- In 2014 the Comprehensive Lake Plan is approved by the DNR.
- In 2015 the MLMD established a matching grant program to protect & enhance shorelines with Healthy Lakes practices.
- In 2016 the MLA celebrated its 30th Anniversary, MLMD its 10th Anniversary, and MLSP its 50th Anniversary. MLA donates a handicap accessible kayak launch to MLSP in honor of its 50th Anniversary.
