MEMORIES OF SHERWOOD LAKE, CLARK COUNTY, WISC.

REFLECTIONS ON A LAKE I LOVE

DON'T LET IT SLIP AWAY!

Closeup of the point at Sherwood Lake, between the main lake and the old swimming hole this fall.  Sandhill cranes  gathered here for a few days before heading south for the winter and sat amid the overgrown weeds of the dried up lake bed.

My nature journal today is filled with reflections of a special place near my roots called Sherwood Lake, a 117 acre lake in southeastern Clark County, Wisconsin, that now sits empty.  The failure of an auxiliary spillway in February of 2014, and a dam in need of repairs, led to an emptying of the entire lake bed.  Rich sediment on the lake floor, from many years of decomposing vegetation, promoted the quick growth of a sea of weeds where water once sparkled in the sunlight.

Sherwood Lake is owned by Clark County and is adjoined by a beautiful county park and campground.  The entire area around the lake is owned by the public, making it a unique landmark.  It is located on a dead end gravel road, surrounded by remote woods and wildlife.

Clark County Forestry & Parks is working on a plan to make dam repairs but has no funds available for dredging.  A group called Friends of Sherwood Lake, of which I am co-chair, was recently created to help raise funds to improve the fish habitat.  With the lake bed empty now, we have a unique opportunity to improve the lake bed.  In years past, this little lake has been a great fishery, giving young and old chances at landing some nice panfish, northern, and bass, in all seasons.

(The Sherwood Lake I remember.  Photo courtesy of Carin Schalla 2012/13)

These are my memories of Sherwood Lake...  swimming on hot summertime days in the old swimming hole with family and my good friend Linda, riding my 3 speed banana seat bicycle to the lake from home, fishing for bullheads at night with family by a campfire, taking my son out in a canoe for his very first boat ride, family reunions under the shelter house for so many years, attending weddings in the park, ice fishing for the best tasting crappies and bluegills in the whole wide world.

Sometimes when such a treasure is close to where you live you tend to take it for granted.  That might have been me... until now, until it was gone.

Check out the Friends of Sherwood Lake website below if you'd like to help restore this Wisconsin wonder spot.  You can also read more about the history of Sherwood Lake and it's creation back in the 1930's.

https://sites.google.com/site/wedigfriendsofsherwoodlake/

Together we can make a difference...  My father-in-law always said he'd like to leave the world a better place when he was gone.  That should be the way we all think.

I welcome your comments below about your memories of Sherwood Lake or your favorite swimming and fishing spots wherever you may live.

 Near the boat landing at Sherwood Lake this summer, looking east toward the dam.   What was once a lake is now a field of overgrown weeds and stick tights, so sad!