A new harvester for the Norway Lake Association of Cass County!
About Us
Our Mission and Current Priority:
The purchase of the Aquatic Weed Harvester pictured above, is the latest effort by the Norway Lake Association (NLA) to pursue our mission, which is to further protect and enhance the aquatic ecosystem of Norway Lake and Norway Brook. For 10 years now, the NLA has controlled both the invasive plant Curly-leaf Pondweed, and nuisance native vegetation using our own aquatic weed harvester. We now have an opportunity to upgrade our equipment for the benefit of all who enjoy time on or near the water.
See our Facebook page:
https://facebook.com/groups/3165483763672208/media
Doing and Growing - Serving Members and the Community
More than half of property owners on Norway Lake and Norway Brook chose to support the association with their dues and donations last year. That is twice the average membership rate for lake associations around the state. Together, we've accomplished much!
NLA Board of Directors
Board members are elected by the general membership present at the annual meeting held the first Saturday in June. On June 7, 2025 members elected Rick Behary, Bruce Branch, Paul Hamilton, John Linssen, Carol Lovro, Paul Mendoza, Patty Smith and Donna Wetterlin to the board. Officers were then determined by the board as follows: President - Paul Hamilton, Vice President - Paul Mendoza, Secretary - Carol Lovro, Treasurer - Donna Wetterlin.
Members Drive the Mission
Membership dues fund the basic operations of the association, including the control of the invasive plant Curly-leaf pondweed which otherwise grows in dense mats that make parts of the lake inaccessible in spring and early summer.
Our Successes:
Prior to the mechanical issues of the last two years (see more on that below) NLA volunteers in the course of harvesting nuisance plants heard from individuals who shared that they have never seen the lake in such good condition in the 35+ years they've been visiting the lake!
Through the efforts of volunteers, we have removed 1.6 million pounds of aquatic vegetation from Norway Lake and Norway Brooke in the last 10 years! In the first years, we focused on controlling the extensive mats of coon tail that, by mid-July, blanket large areas of the lake making navigation and recreation a challenge rather than a pleasure.
We then began to mechanically harvest the invasive species, Curly Leaf Pondweed (CLP), rather than treat it chemically. This has saved the association and our partners, Cass County Soil and Water District and the DNR, $5,000 - 10,000 per year. It's also proven by independent research to be a more effective method of control when done in a timely manner.
Our Challenges:
Our successes have not come easily, and challenges remain. Winter weather plays a significant role in our success managing Curly Leaf Pondweed (CLP). When snowfall exceeds 30", the growth of CLP, which germinates in early fall and grows under the ice all winter, is significantly reduced. This makes management through harvesting an easier task. Since the reproductive structures of CLP can remain viable for years in the lake sediments, the association needs to remain viable itself to deal with future outbreaks.
The NLA Board and Membership have entered into a purchase agreement to purchase a harvester from the Minnewawa Lake Association. The 10 year-old machine is lighter, faster, more manuverable and more efficient in everyway. It also promises to reduce our repair costs and down time. Look for more information via emails to our members.
Sheltered storage for the equipment is also required. While the elements won't hurt the equipment. having a space to complete maintenance and repairs is essential. We currently benefit from having storage space donated for our use just north of Pine River on 371.
We've also provided assistance to the City of Chickamaw Beach in their purchase of a parcel across from the lake. We may have an opportunity in the future to have our own storage facility at that location.
How Does All This Happen? Donations Make the Difference
Donations are to the association what fish are to the lake - without them, there's not much going on below the surface. You've read about all the time and talent that has been donated, but Without your generous donations, the association is a lake devoid of fish.
Your donations fund the maintenance and operation of the harvester to control nuisance native plants and keep the lake open for recreation all summer. They also allow us to maintain a fund balance of about 20% of our annual budget to address unexpected situations.
Prefer to Make Payment by Mail? Use the link below to access printable forms.
Our Larger Mission
Our mission is to protect and enhance
Managing Aquatic Plants: aka - weeds
Some members prefer to manage aquatic plants along their shoreline by way of mechanical harvesting. The association provides this service through the volunteer efforts of those who maintain and operate the association's equipment, another reason that your donations are greatly needed.
Purchase private aquatic plant harvesting. The optimal time to harvest most aquatic plants is late June - early July, when the plants are prominent enough to cut, but not so overgrown that they quickly fill the bed of the harvester. This is particularly true of Wild Rice, which becomes very bulky by mid-late July. For this reason, later season harvesting will require additional fees.
In some cases, a permit from the DNR is required to harvest aquatic plants. Property owners are responsible for obtaining permits prior to harvesting. You'll find more information here and the DNR permit application site here.
other interesting information
Check out the link below to see what the Riffle Dam looked like in the early stages of Construction
Dam Replacement
November, 2023:
The old dam/Highway 84 bridge combination is a thing of the past. The riffle dam has been in place now for nearly two full years now, each of which featured significant summer droughts. The lake water level, while lower than normal, held its own for the most part. One problem the association encountered was traveling downstream with the harvester - the low water levels just wouldn't allow that after mid-June.
This meant being unable to harvest plants along some shorelines in the brook. All we can do is hope for more precipitation, and prioritize harvesting there when conditions allow. I anticipate developing a list of those interested in having the harvesting done, and collecting payment IF the work can be completed. Look for more on that in spring, 2024.
At the same time, the performance of the dam, i.e., its effectiveness and passively controlling the flow of water downstream is worth reviewing. If the flow rate is higher than expected, additional small rocks may be added to further restrict the flow, though in may conversation with the engineering company that designed the dam that are no plans for modifications at this time.
It's important to note that as was the case with the past gate-controlled flow, some movement of water downstream is essential for the health of downstream ecosystems.
Annual Meeting, June 6, 2026
As called for in the association by-laws the annual membership meeting will be held on the first Saturday in June June 6, 2026. The meeting location is TBD. Annual meetings begin at 9:00 a.m. and typically conclude about 10:30 a.m. Coffee and donuts are provided!
Members will receive an email with meeting details in early May.