CADIZ SPRINGS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS  

Why isn’t there ever anyone at the Cadiz office? 

For many years a permanent Ranger was assigned specifically to Cadiz Springs Recreation Area and two other permanent employees were assigned to New Glarus Woods and the Sugar River Trail.  Over the years, the work unit has grown to include the Badger Trail, six Ice Age Trail properties, and five natural areas, with additional law enforcement duties at two wildlife areas.  Because the number of permanent staff has stayed the same while annual funding for summer employees has decreased, it became necessary to expand the duties of the Cadiz Springs Ranger into the rest of the work unit. 

We now have everyone work out of the main office at New Glarus Woods.  This has actually benefitted Cadiz, as we often have every employee in the county working there on certain days.  However, we do not have enough people to have someone stay at the office.   

Currently, we are faced with reducing our permanent staff.  We have been informed that one of our Rangers has been temporarily assigned to work at Lake Kegonsa State Park through October.  The Lake Kegonsa Work Unit has some vacancies that are not being filled due to the state budget crisis.  Our goal is to have an employee at Cadiz Springs Recreation Area each Friday, Saturday and Sunday, but even that may not be possible some weeks. 

How can I get a park sticker when there is never anyone at the office? 

Due to reduced staff levels and more duties, we must rely more on the self-registration box for sales.  It works well; people just need to trust it.  Yes, you can get an annual sticker, or your Conservation Sticker through the self-registration box.  Simply fill out the envelope with the information and place the payment (or your patron receipt) in the envelope.  We will mail you your sticker within a week.  Your copy of the form is your admission sticker until you receive it, and it will be honored at other parks. 

Is Cadiz Springs Recreation Area going to close? 

NO!  The park system has made a commitment to the people of Wisconsin that NO PARKS ARE GOING TO CLOSE.  However, there may be cutbacks in budget and/or staff at some parks.  Some facilities will not be maintained as often, or available.  We have not yet heard anything like this for Cadiz Springs.  With all the improvements at Cadiz, and the huge amount of work the Friends Group and volunteers have done in the park, it would be tragic and wrong to have the DNR close the recreation area.  The best thing people can do is let the DNR, the Bureau of Parks, and their state legislators know how they feel.  The most important fact to note is that Cadiz Springs brings in more money in revenue than the state budge allots for the operation of the park. 

Why is there so little money, with all the hunting and fishing license sales?                                             

The park system has to bring in 75% of its operating budget with admission and camping fees.  All of this money is used to maintain and operate the parks.  The remaining 25% comes from federal programs, grants, and state tax money like the Stewardship fund.  Hunting and fishing license revenue must by law go to the hunting and fishing programs, and is not used for parks.    

Why didn’t the DNR dredge Beckman Lake when it was drained?

The lake was drained to replace the level control device, and to do maintenance on the dike.  There was never money for dredging or to dispose of the spoils.  Some dredging was done, but without permits or approvals it had to be stopped.  The drying and compression from being drained for 2 years should result in some increased depth.  There are no further plans to do work on the lake bottom.

What are you going to do about all the weeds in Beckman Lake?   

About 20% of Beckman Lake has vegetation growing in it, mostly young willow trees.  The plan is to let them stay, as they will provide cover for the fish as they repopulate the lake.  The willows will die out over the next 3-5 years, which should be good timing for the fish.  We have been clearing vegetation from the beach and boat landing so they can be used.

When do we get our fish back?

Short answer: we don’t.  The fish that were netted out of Beckman Lake were used for other projects, and to “pay back” other lakes for fish netted out.  There was no agreement that the fish would be replaced.  Now, with the VHS virus and the ban on stocking, there is no source for wild fish and the requirement for disease testing is very expensive.  But, the Friends Of Cadiz Springs have already purchased 110 northern pike fingerlings that were stocked last fall, and all indications are that they have done well.  The DNR has also stocked fish in Beckman Lake.

The DNR is reminding everyone not to “stock” Beckman Lake with fish caught in Zanders Lake or anywhere else! 

Establishing a good fishery is like baking a cake.  You can’t just throw in ingredients in any amount at any time.  There need to be certain proportions to keep the predator/prey balance, and allow them to form a cycle of breeding that is self-perpetuating.  For instance, when the northern pike we have stocked begin to spawn, too many of the young may be eaten by the larger bass that individuals have transferred from Zanders Lake.  Throwing in other fish increases the potential for disease, or an out-of-balance fishery, as in the years when Beckman Lake was simply full of stunted panfish.

Is the water level in Beckman Lake lower than it was before the drawdown?   

No!  The new rock on the Beckman dike and the vegetation in the lake may make it seem like the water level is lower, but if you walk around to the low spot on the shore just west of the osprey nest pole, you will see that Beckman Lake could never have been any higher without running over in that area.  With the design of the new boat landing, the level does not need to be lowered each winter; so the level will be kept at its maximum unless there is a problem or there are heavy rains.

Note:  To conserve energy, and make the best use of limited funds, we plan to mow a smaller portion of the picnic areas this summer.  This will also help the environment, because less carbon dioxide and pollutants will be released into the air by the mowers.  Thank you for supporting this change!