Grindstone – Lake Level Update

Lake Level Update Summary 11 2025

Billy Boy WLPOA NOPA – 11-6-2025

This is a reminder about the upcoming DNR Public Meeting on increasing the water level to historic levels.  

DNR PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING regarding 

the lake level petition to raise water levels back to historical levels

Date: December 15, 2025

Time: 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Location: Sevenwinds Casino & Conference Center

More information can be found at:

https://permits.dnr.wi.gov/water/SitePages/Permit%20Search.aspx (Search for Whitefish Lake Owners Association)

Many of you have already reached out to understand how this meeting will be run and how best to communicate your support.   Here are some key points about the meeting.

• The DNR does not do Zoom meetings and there will be no method to listen.  
• The associations are looking at a method to record the meeting.
• This is a public comment session only, not a Q&A session.  The DNR will not be responding to any comment made.
• You can provide comments via email or phone call to the DNR now and up to 10 days after the meeting.

(Jacob Druffner, 715-461-0159, Jacob.Druffner@wisconsin.gov or Dan Harrington, 715-733-0019, Dan.Harrington@wisconsin.gov.)

Written comments can be mailed also to 810 W Maple St., Spooner, WI 548

The agenda will go something like this:

• DNR Summary of their Proposal
• Whitefish Lake As`sociation representative comments and support of the proposal
• Dan Tyrolt LCO Tribal Conservation Dept. low water impact has reduced Wild Rice production every year, water quality impact dissolved oxygen, temperature, etc.
• Hans Holmberg, V.P. and Sr. Water Resources Engineer LimnoTech will speak to the negative impact low water level has had on our cold-water two-story fishery lakes
• COLA Representative
• Grindstone Lake Association Representative
• Open comments

The GLA board has reviewed the data and the discussions that have taken place in November between the associations, Sawyer County, and the DNR.  We feel there is good collaboration that has happened during these deeper face to face discussions over the proposal.

We feel that this DNR proposal is delivering what was asked for in the original petition submitted by Whitefish Lake Property Owners Association.  The Sawyer County Zoning and Conservation department has agreed to prepare an Inspection Operation Maintenance Plan (IOMP) to operate the dam and do smaller changes when the water reaches these limits.  The goal being not to have large volume changes in a short amount of time that can impact both downstream and upstream flow.

Making this change to the operation of the dam is critical for us to start making changes to bring the water level back up.   The associations and LCO tribe are committed to working with Sawyer County moving forward to monitor the water levels to ensure we get back to historical water levels prior to 2021.  If future action is needed another petition can be submitted.

Here is how you can show your support of this petition and be fully aligned with the lake associations and the tribe.

Thank you all for showing your support of this critical issue for our lake.  This is our best shot at making an impact for our fisheries, environment, and enjoyment of our beautiful lake.

GLA Board