The map is a compiled list of areas known to experience ice safety issues throughout the winter. Some areas are unsafe due to the river flow, others due to springs. Follow all DNR safety precautions when accessing the ice and keep monitoring for changing conditions. Ice depths vary throughout McDill during the winter, and no ice is safe ice, but the intent of the map is to help inform those accessing the ice where to avoid traveling.

UWSP Center for Watershed Science and Education recently completed a depth mapping of McDill Pond.  The following is the preliminary map:

McDill Pond is undertaking a one million dollar dredging project to complete a 20 year dredge. The silt trap dredged in 2000 is now two thirds full, and to prevent further sedimentation in McDill the silt trap must be dredged. The purpose of the dredge is to solely preserve McDill Pond from further sedimentation and allow navigation so that the waterbody can be preserved for years to come. The construction of the detention basin has been completed at 4001 Patch St (McDill Disk Golf and Lake District Harvester Landing) and dredging will commence mid to late June. Michels Corp is the dredging contractor, Earth Inc is the construction/soil disposal contractor, and GEI Consulting is providing engineering services. The design of the dredging project with all the maps and depths, cross layers, etc can be found in the permit: WDNR IP Dredging Permit Application_DRAFT.

Common Questions:  What about the disk golf course?  The disk golf course was placed at the site of the 2000 dredging project sediment trap with the knowledge that McDill would need to dredge the sediment trap once every approximate 20 years. This means that once every 20 years the course must be shut down while dredging occurs. The detention basin that has been built will be filled in when completed and reseeded, and the area opened to the public again.

When will the project be completed? God only knows as Mother Earth is in control. Heavy rainy weather slows down work and makes it difficult for sand to dry out. Work disruptions due to illness or can’t get needed part in for repairs make it difficult to judge. We hope to see the project done completely by Spring 2023 and remediation of the work site finished.

How much is being removed?  PCI McDill Proposal 5.17.2021  See the 1 million dollar size project, and then cross reference to the link above on the design.

Can I go walking around there to see the operation?  No please stay out for your safety. Issues with trespassing will be turned in to local authorities per the contractors. Only associated project staff and McDill Harvesting staff are allowed in 4001 Patch St at this time.

Will boating be affected?  You betcha it will!  Once the crew starts up a large barge and water fenced off area will be present in different parts of McDill as different areas are dredged. Floating signs with reflectors will be in the area to warn people to stay out.  THIS IS FOR YOUR SAFETY!  While it may seem like it is a large area closed off for boating, its due to underwater pipes in the area.  Hit one of those and you won’t have a lower unit left on your motor, and you will be held responsible for the financial damage to the dredge equipment.

Who is paying for this?  All 170+ homeowners and only a small 67,000 grant from WI DNR.  Please support us via the donation box at the landings so that we can continue to make this project a success.

Do you think they will find <name item here> while dredging? Since this is a dredge of an area previously dredged multiple times, it is highly unlikely to find anything from before 2000 when the site was last dredged. Even in the new channel stretches being completed to Heffron St landing these areas were extensively dredged in 1960-63 when McDill was massively rebuilt by the local sportsmen club. Go see historic areal photos from before 1960 to post 1963 for the difference – three years of work put in to build modern McDill Pond. The 1 foot pipe that is being used is transporting a TON of material, so looking for things like watches, rings, etc is not something that can be done.

McDill Inland Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District at its annual meeting passed a Resident Fertilizer Restriction that goes into effect immediately for its 176 residents. The general fertilizer restriction replaces the lake district’s former phosphate free fertilizer restriction since all fertilizers now sold in Wisconsin are phosphate free.  The restriction limits residents to twice a year fertilizing their yards, unless a soil test proves the need for additional fertilizing.  There is no limit on the amount of application of weed killers or other pesticides for nuisance control.   A water study conducted by the WI DNR over two years found high amounts of nitrogen entering McDill during the winter months from groundwater and spring runoff.  Due to the sandier soils around McDill, it is an important first step to control the amount of nitrogen entering McDill starting with the yards that have the greatest impact on McDill Pond.  The restriction is to be self regulating, and currently does not have any fines for violations of the restriction.  McDill Pond is also participating in efforts to promote healthy shorelands and work with local municipalities to address the high nitrogen levels entering McDill pond from various sources to mitigate the excess weed and algae growth in McDill Pond.      A copy of the restriction is below for reference.

Fertilization Restriction

Questions, harvesting requests, or concerns should be emailed to [email protected]. Please note that some of our commissioners are full time employed so please allow 24 hours for response.

Contacts for McDill Lake District:  [email protected]