Letter from Bob Wellhoefer to Jack Nedland

June 19, 2003  

Jack Nedland, Director
Forest and Recreation Committee
Barron County Courthouse - Room 110B
330 East LaSalle Ave.

Barron , WI 54812

 Mr. Nedland:

Enclosed is a check for $11,000.00 from the Silver Lake Association. This money was collected from land owners around the lake who donated to our Water Quality Management Fund.

The water quality in Silver Lake has degraded significantly over the past three years as a direct result of extraordinary high water levels. Our desire is to explore a system whereby water levels are controlled to a range of levels that are generally considered normal. We have had discussions with Steve Walker from the engineering firm, SEH Inc. ( Eau Claire , WI ) and believe they can provide an adequate feasibility study. Our understanding is that your office will be the Contracting Agent with them for this project and is prepared to provide additional funding of $9,000.00 to complete the study.

 The next step in the process needs to be the formalization of the agreement with SEH Inc. They have done some preliminary work on this project and have verbally told us that a comprehensive feasibility study could be developed at a price not to exceed $20,000.00. On 5-24-03 , I personally talked with Steve Walker and he agreed to provide us with a detailed proposal outlining the specific work to be preformed and the elements of the resulting feasibility study. As of this date, I have not received this document and will follow-up with him soon to get the status of the promised written proposal – I will copy you on any correspondence with SEH Inc.

 We understand the cyclical nature of the water levels on Silver Lake . I have been a land owner on the lake for almost 20 years and have observed the cycles first hand. However, when water levels rise to the point where 100 year old oaks are under water, it is unnatural, and something must be done. It is our belief that the natural outlet, which would have prohibited the current high water levels, was blocked off by the development of County Road B long ago during an extended dry period. We are researching old files in hopes of finding documentation to substantiate this belief and any help you can provide us in this effort would be appreciated.

 As mentioned earlier, the Silver Lake Association’s main concern is to restore the lake to its previous quality and clarity. We are looking forward to working with Barron County to accomplish this objective.

 Sincerely;

 Robert J. Wenzel
Treasurer, Silver Lake Association