Related Records

1. A chart showing the difference, in feet, of the water levels for each lake on the Manitowish Waters chain before construction of the Rest Lake dam vs today's level with the dam. - The comparison is done for winter and summer seasons due to the draw down of lake levels in the fall. This document was created by Jim Bokern for use by the MWHS. Included are pictures of an 1878 drawing showing the change in elevation from the Trout and Manitowish Rivers to the dam at Rest Lake. This drawing is displayed at the Koller Library.

   2019

   Record Type: Archive

   
2. A news clipping that refers to the Rest Lake dam as the "Henry" dam. 10/27/1916 - The clipping reports that the Wisconsin Supreme Court affirmed a lower Circuit Court ruling that the Wisconsin Railroad Commission has the authority to require the owner of the Rest Lake dam, the Chippewa & Flambeau Improvement Company, to fix the water levels controlled by the dam. Local residents complained that the owner's level of a maximum 15' head was too high. The Railroad Commission changed it to 8 1/2' maximum.

   10/27/1916

   Record Type: Archive

   
3. An Outing of Waukesha Men in the Wilds of Wisconsin 9/27/1900 - An article telling of a fishing trip to the Manitowish waters and surrounding area. Interesting references: Dan Devine, George Buck, water levels, Divide's logging camp, Lafin's on Big Lake, moonshine, plus many others. The author of the article, A.H.Y., could be the Waukesha Freeman owner, author Henry Youmans.

   1900

   Record Type: Archive

   
4. Drought Having Great Effect on Lake Levels by Michael Dunn for the Lakeland Times (Minocqua, WI) July 1976 - The article discusses how the lack of rainfall for the last two years is impacting water levels across the entire Manitowish River watershed and how the dam helps to mitigate those effects. Dunn interviews longtime dam caretaker Cal LaPorte and his father, George LaPorte. Included are pictures taken for the article. Dunn also shares a brief history of the role of the dam in river drive logging in the late 1880s- 1906

   July 1976

   Record Type: Archive

   
5. Excerpt from the 1938 Opinions & Decisions of the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin relating to the 7/8/1937 operating order for the Rest Lake Dam. - These orders established reservoir fill and draw down parameters for the Manitowish Waters Chain of Lakes.

   1938

   Record Type: Archive

   
6. Excerpt of a Manitowish community news column referencing Al Millar as the caretaker of the Rest Lake dam. March1908 - He intends to raise the Manitowish reservoir to 10' soon.

   3/20/1908

   Record Type: Archive

   
7. History of Manitowish Waters narrative from 1965-1972 Chamber of Commerce guides and an updated page 3 published in the 1973-78 guides. - Written by historian Michael Dunn III, this narrative covers the area's history from the Ojibwe inhabitants to fur trading, logging, railroads, establishment of the Town and services, development of tourism, resorts, recreation, schools, retail and manufacturing, all in 3 pages! Also attached is page 3 from 1979-1986 published narrative with added images of the airport and Fire Department.

   1965-1986

   Record Type: Archive

   
8. History of the Rest Lake Dam, 1937 to Present by John Hanson - The June 2024 newsletter article focuses on the evolution of dam operating orders over the years. Specific dates of changes and challenges are 1937, 1997, 2001, 2007 (establishment of the Manitowish Chain Defense Fund), 2014, 2015 (today's Memorandum of Understanding between all stakeholders).

   2024

   Record Type: Archive

   
9. Local men testify before the Wisconsin assemby to maintain the water levels on the chain. 6/14/1939 - They argue for 6'6' minimum and and 8' maximum levels.

   6/14/1939

   Record Type: Archive

   
10. Manitowish Lake ca 1890s - Picture of shoreline when water level is down.

    Record Type: Photo

    
11. Map showing the effect proposed logging dams would have on water levels of the lakes in the upper Flambeau River watershed. ca 1879 - The red line demonstrates the raised water levels. This map was procured by Mark Leistickow and donated to the Town of Manitowish Waters/Koller Library in 2014.

    ca 1879

    Record Type: Archive

    
12. Memories of Clear Lake with Carol Keller Minch 1922- ca 1940s - Carol recalls summers at their cottage on the north shore of Clear Lake. Original Keller property was at today's address of 12615 CTH Boulder Junction. They sold to Charles Quarles and moved south along the shore of Clear Lake to what today is 6203 and 6199 Clear View Drive Boulder Junction, just north of the portage to Big Lake.

    8/9/1991

    Record Type: Archive

    
13. Michael Dunn III "A Look Back" historical overview of Manitowish Waters published in the 1987-1992 Chamber of Commerce guides. 1600-1999 - The overview covers the period from the 1600s to 1999. The document discusses the Chippewa Indians, logging, resorts, tourism, summer homes, fishing, agriculture and economic and business development. Attached are two documents, both with the same text. One history has images embedded and the other is text only.

    Record Type: Archive

    
14. New concrete dam at Rest Lake ca late 1920s - Documentation of dates of construction for this structure vary- 1923, 1926 and 1928 have been cited. The dam appears to be new in this picture and, based on volume of water flowing, it is the fall draw down. Note the mother and child on the bottom left.

    Record Type: Photo

    
15. News article about the Wisconsin DNR evaluating possible change to the Rest Lake dam operating order. October 2005 - A meeting was held with the DNR and other stakeholders to discuss timing of reservoir fill and draw down as well as rate of flows to do so. Objective is to balance competing interests of river ecology and fish spawning/stranding downstream with navigation and property damage upstream.

    10/21/2005

    Record Type: Archive

    
16. News clipping and correspondence from dam owner, Xcel Energy, explaining the delay in raising the water level on the Manitowish Chain of Lakes in the spring of 2023 - The reservoir level will remain at a 7' head (8 1/2' is the common summer level) until repairs are completed.

    May 2023

    Record Type: Archive

    
17. News clippings reporting the study and hearings by Wisconsin politicians and forestry commission regarding the water power, forestry and drainage issues relative to the headwaters of the Wolf, Chippewa and Manitowish rivers. 1909-1910

    Record Type: Archive

    
18. News release: Explanation of the water level draw down each fall on the Manitowish Chain of Lakes. 2019 - The draw down is regulated by an operating agreement between the Wisconsin DNR and the dam owner, Xcel Energy-Chippewa and Flambeau Improvement division.

    2019

    Record Type: Archive

    
19. News release: Wisconsin DNR signs a four year Memorandum of Understanding agreement with Xcel Energy's Chippewa and Flambeau Improvement Co division, owner of the Rest Lake Dam, clarifying dam operations. 2016 - The 1939 operating order continues in effect. The MOU changes the timing of water flows- more water downstream during fish spawning and an earlier start to spring fill of the chain of lakes reservoir.

    April 2016

    Record Type: Archive

    
20. Proposed dam site on Rest Lake 1878 - Prepared by Capt. Charles Allen for the Army Corps of Engineers. Map was procured by Mark Leistickow and gifted to the Town of Manitowish Waters/Koller Library in 2014 in memory of his wife Barbara.

    1878

    Record Type: Archive