Those Against Drawdown Must Show Up
This letter to the editor, by Celeste Koeberl, JD, MA and John Gostovich, MS. Town of Hudson Homeowners on Lake Mallalieu since 1993 and LMA Members, appeared in the Hudson Star Observer on June 25, 2026.
Everyone who cares about the water quality and natural resources of our Lake St. Croix, St. Croix River and Lake Mallalieu impoundment of the Willow River, should participate in upcoming public meetings about the proposed 7.5-foot drawdown of Lake Mallalieu from September 2026 through May 2027.
On Tuesday July 7, starting at 5 p.m., the St. Croix County Board of Supervisors will consider a Resolution rescinding St. Croix County’s conditional approval of the LMA’s drawdown permit application to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The July 7 Agenda Packet and contact info for supervisors are at the county website.
The St. Croix County Community Development Committee has already unanimously voted to recommend rescinding the County’s conditional approval of the LMA’s drawdown permit application sent to the DNR. On June 18, the Community Development Committee determined that flushing phosphorus-laden sediments from the Lake Mallalieu impoundment into the St. Croix River conflicts with St. Croix County’s long-established policy to reduce rather than increase phosphorus loads to the St. Croix River and would significantly set back St. Croix County’s progress toward total maximum daily load phosphorus reduction goals for Lake St. Croix, made since 2013 through 373 conservation contracts at an estimated cost of $4.4-million taxpayer dollars.
And on Monday July 20, starting at 6 p.m., the City of Hudson Common Council will revisit its conditional approval of the LMA’s WDNR drawdown permit application. The July 20 agenda and contact info for the Hudson mayor and council members are at the city website.
Please send your written public comments to the St. Croix County Board and to the Hudson City Council before their upcoming meetings and please attend their meetings, too, to support the strongest protections for our public waters and natural resources. For more information, go to Lake Mallalieu Dredging (And Drawdown) Info at https://lakemallalieudredging.info.