THE LAKE IS CLOSED... AGAIN. Lake Altoona (pictured above) is one of several bodies of water in the wider Eau Claire area to experience an increase in sedimentation and algae blooms each summer – often resulting in beach closures. With support from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), citizen-led conservation groups will focus on these issues from both a recreational and financial perspective.

EDITORS NOTE (07/08/26): On July 8, the Lake Altoona Rehab & Protection District shared its latest release and Lake Altoona study findings from Thomas Kemp, professor of economics at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire.

Kemp, who would estimate the impact of sedimentation to property values surrounding Lake Altoona, determined "continued sedimentation and declining lake conditions could reduce lakefront property values by as much as 25% over time if left unmanaged."

"Based on current assessed values, that represents a potential reduction of up to $35.86 million in property value and a corresponding loss of nearly $790,000 in annual property tax revenue, depending on local tax rates," the release stated.

Following Kemp's findings, the Lake Altoona Rehabilitation and Protection District plans to continue toward solutions, encompassed in the 2027–2028 Delta Dredge Project.

This effort will bring a combination of efforts including groundwater runoff observation from farming, invasive species prevention and expanded water-quality monitoring.

Lake Altoona Beach, according to the Eau Claire City-County Health Department, remains closed to the public due to high levels of bacteria.

To learn more, connect with Michele Skinner, the Lake Altoona district chair via email at altoonaboard@gmail.com.

Locals are likely well-acquainted with the frequent water quality advisories issued by the City of Eau Claire.

The fluctuation of these updates was evident in early June. In a single week, locals received advisories warning of both Lake Altoona’s and Big Falls’ elevated bacteria levels making water activities unsafe – only to see those same waters deemed swimmable days later.

With these notices and water quality concerns in mind, the Lake Altoona Rehab & Protection District (with support from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)) will focus on the issue from both a recreational and financial perspective.

Beyond the on-and-off loss of public access to these waters, citizen-led groups are working to quantify the long-term economic repercussions it could have across the region.

“I live on Lake Altoona, so it’s my home, my backyard and I want to keep it a beautiful place for me and my family and for my neighbors,” Michele Skinner, the Lake Altoona district chair, said. “Let’s see if we can come up with a strategy – that we can work with mother nature – and control the sediment and other types of negative impacts that naturally occur.”

A two-year study funded by the DNR – conducted by the University of Wisconsin-River Falls and West Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission – found harmful algae blooms at Lake Altoona have been linked to reduced visitation and ultimately, cost the local economy at least $1.3 million in visitor spending each year.

“There are five counties that drain into the Eau Claire River ... and it comes down to Lake Eau Claire, then Lake Altoona and then it becomes the Chippewa River at the confluence in downtown.”

michele skinner

Lake altoona district chair

Just last month, Skinner shared key takeaways from the study with residents in and around Lake Altoona. Approximately 32,000 visitors come to Lake Altoona each year, Skinner noted, with top recreational activities including fishing, boating and beach use.

The study found nearly 70% of community members indicated its water quality needs improvement and about one-third of respondents reported they do not visit due to poor water quality.

“The whole purpose of the study was to put a price tag on the lake,” Skinner said. “The important question to us is, ‘if nothing is done and the lake fills up with algae, what happens? How is that going to impact our economy?’ ”

As Volume One reported in 2025, Eau Claire County observed 50 closures or advisory days related to algal blooms and over 40 related to unsafe bacteria levels last summer. Lake Altoona, a reservoir with water from the Eau Claire River, is used primarily for boating, fishing, paddle sports and swimming along the beach (pictured above).

Prior to the survey’s inception, as reported by WEAU News 13 in 2022, Lake Altoona’s beach had been closed for close to two-thirds of the summer. Back then, Skinner urged the DNR to connect with local entities on this growing concern. 

Algae blooms can result, according to the DNR, from influxes of nutrients in groundwater runoff, agricultural runoff from upstream waterways and more.

Snapshots Of 2025 Lake Altoona Economic Impact Study

An online survey was sent to all 304 landowners within the Lake Altoona District (161 responded) to measure lake utilization and calculate annual short-term and 5-year expenditures.

At Lake Altoona, the study finds a degradation of water quality and increased sedimentation – in tandem with prior algae blooms – threaten the lake’s recreational value through beach closures, deteriorating the fishery and reducing boating opportunities due to decreased water depth.

Lake Altoona landowners spend about $2.9 million per year in Eau Claire County on short-term expenses and recreational equipment related expenses. If sedimentation was resolved, the study found 43% would increase their visits by 10 or more times a year.

If water quality improves and household visitations to Lake Altoona increase – data based on park passes sold in previous years – the study shows annual visitor spending in Eau Claire County and to Lake Altoona could increase by more than $1 million.

“We have formed several partnerships with a variety of people, agencies and or divisions of government in an attempt to come together to find solutions,” Skinner said. “There are five counties that drain into the Eau Claire river … and it comes down to Lake Eau Claire, then Lake Altoona and then it becomes the Chippewa River at the confluence in downtown.”

“We have members of all of the lake districts along this watershed working together with the local land conservation offices to talk about testing for water quality equipment; projects that we can implement to not only gather more data but you know analyze the data,” Skinner continued. 

Friends of Lake Altoona, one of these partners, had previously acquired a $10,000 grant through the Eau Claire Community Foundation to address sediment degradation in the lake. 

Skinner suggested new applications for grant monies and data surveys from the region’s watershed alliances will continue in the summer months ahead.

“We want to be able to use (this equipment) upstream so that we can determine whereabouts in the Eau Claire River watershed system do we have the most problems with the various contaminants,” Skinner said of resources acquired from former grants in the area.

”I live on Lake Altoona, so it’s my home, my backyard and I want to keep it a beautiful place for me and my family and for my neighbors.”

MICHELE SKINNER

Lake altoona district chair

In collaboration with the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire’s economics department and Thomas Kemp, department chair, the Lake Altoona Rehab & Protection District will continue research on the property values surrounding the lake.

“We are just doing some additional work that the existing study did not address,” Kemp said. “Specifically, we are going to estimate the likely impact to property values associated with the possible increased sedimentation in Lake Altoona.”

The findings and information from this new tax base study are scheduled to be released and dispersed to the public this coming fall, Skinner and Kemp said.

While Lake Altoona is just one of many water bodies in the Chippewa Valley, the collaborative efforts between local groups and state stakeholders are proving essential to address the challenges of sedimentation and algae.

May these partnerships serve as a model for how communities can share knowledge and implement strategies to improve water quality and expand recreational opportunities for all this summer and onward.

Beach Closings & Water Quality Advisories in Eau Claire County

Each summer from Memorial Day through Labor Day, the Eau Claire City-County Health Department tests eight bodies of water around the county: Big Falls Beach, Coon Fork Beach, Lake Altoona, Lake Eau Claire, Half Moon Beach and more.

These tests monitor high levels of E. coli bacteria and algae which can cause illness in people and pets.

“If water at a beach reaches an unsafe level of bacteria or if harmful algae is present, the beach may be closed or water quality advisory signs may be posted,” the county states.

The health department tests each beach at minimum weekly, with more frequent tests if there is an advisory in place.

To keep up to date on the area’s beach closings, sign up to get email notifications or follow the Eau Claire City-County Health Department on Facebook. 

Review the complete 2025 Lake Altoona Economic Impact Study findings, online. For continued updates on Lake Altoona water advisories, visit the City of Eau Claire or Lake Altoona Rehab & Protection District webpages online.