Clean Lakes 101: The Mystery of Spring's Clear-Water Phase in Wisconsin Lakes

Wed Apr 08 2026 at 04:00 pm to 05:00 pm UTC-05:00

The East Side Club | Maple Bluff

Clean Lakes Alliance
Publisher/HostClean Lakes Alliance
Clean Lakes 101: The Mystery of Spring's Clear-Water Phase in Wisconsin Lakes
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Join us for Clean Lakes 101 on Wednesday, April 8, at The East Side Club from 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. Hilary Dugan will explain how booming spring zooplankton populations trigger Wisconsin lakes’ brief but dramatic “clear-water phase,” and explore the powerful mix of temperature, light, nutrients, and predator–prey dynamics that make it all happen.
REGISTER: https://www.cleanlakesalliance.org/event/clean-lakes-101-apr-2026/
ABOUT THIS TALK
Each spring, many lakes in Wisconsin undergo a remarkable transformation. They suddenly turn strikingly clear. This “clear-water phase” happens when booming populations of tiny zooplankton rapidly graze down spring algae, briefly reshaping the entire food web. In this talk, Dugan will explore how temperature, light, nutrients, and predator–prey interactions combine to create one of the most dramatic and short-lived events in our lakes.
ABOUT OUR SPEAKER
Hilary Dugan is an associate professor at the Center for Limnology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. As a limnologist, Hilary studies how terrestrial and atmospheric changes, such as warming air temperatures or land use patterns, alter biogeochemical fluxes and aquatic processes in lakes. Her research focus is on temperate and polar lakes, with sites spanning from Wisconsin to Antarctica.
EVENT DETAILS
This event will be held at The East Side Club (3735 Monona Dr, Madison, WI 53714). Doors open at 3:30 p.m. The program runs from 4 – 5 p.m. A Q/A session will follow the presentation as time allows. Complimentary event parking will be available at The East Side Club. Parking spots fill up quickly and may be limited depending on capacity.
CLEAN LAKES 101 LECTURE SERIES
Clean Lakes 101 is a series of educational events open to the public and a great chance to learn more about the science behind the issues that affect our lakes. Each month we feature a different expert to make the science accessible and interesting to non-technical audiences. The series is produced in partnership with the UW-Madison Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies and Extension Lakes, with presenting sponsor National Guardian Life Insurance Company, hosting sponsor The East Side Club, supporting sponsor Johnson Financial Group, and media sponsor WKOW. Additional support is provided by Alliant Energy Foundation, Hovde Properties, and Perkins Coie LLP.
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Event Venue

The East Side Club, 3735 Monona Dr, Monona, WI 53714-2809, United States, Maple Bluff

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