North and South Twin Lakes (2788 and 642 acres, respectively) are mesotrophic drainages lakes with their water levels maintained by a dam located at the South Twin Lake outlet. Property owners on the lakes organized the North and South Twin Lakes Riparian Association (NSTLRA) in 1995. In 1996, the NSTLRA partnered with Vilas County, the University of Wisconsin-Extension, and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) to begin the creation of a Comprehensive Lake Management Plan for the lakes. Phase I of the comprehensive plan was completed in 2000 (NSTLRA 2000) and included components addressing fisheries, watershed composition, water quality, geology, aquatic vegetation communities, and wildlife use of the lakes, along with the results of a detailed property owner survey. Although the Phase I plan contains a great deal of information, additional work was required to continue the planning effort. Specifically, there were two areas requiring further attention: 1. Updated aquatic plant surveys were required to: a. plan the management of Eurasian water-milfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) colonies discovered in 2001. b. investigate the possible occurrence of curly-leaf pondweed (Potamogeton crispus). c. plan for the protection of existing native aquatic plant communities that provide valuable habitat for the lakes’ fisheries and wildlife. 2. A more in-depth study of the watershed was required to access its role in the phosphorus budget of the lakes.

The Town of Phelps will sponsor this project which will build upon the 2000 comprehensive plan for North and South Twin lakes to incorporate changes that have occurred. The project will focus on an Aquatic Plant Management Plan with a focus on non-native species (curly leaf and EWM) and a more in-depth look at water quality issues on the lakes. The project will result in an updated plan and management recommendations and implementation strategies.

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