Booth Lake Management District

Important Information About Blue Green Algae (blog)

--- Update 9/17/2026 #2 ---

Boat Launch Schedule

Please plan accordingly to remove your boats during times and dates provided.  Pier and Lift removal companies can contact the park to schedule their use of the launch.

Sept 19, 10-3

Sept 23, 2-6

Sept 26, 10-3

Sept 29, East Troy Marine

Sept 30, 2-6

Oct 3, 10-3

Oct 7, East Troy Marine

Oct 8, 2-6

Oct 10 , 10-3

Oct 14 , 2-6

Oct 17 , 10-3

Oct 21 , 2-6

Oct 24, 10-3

Oct 28 , 2-6

---- Update 9/17/2026 ----

Dear Residents,

As you know, water quality tests identified a high level of blue-green algae causing dangerous toxins in Booth Lake. On August 3rd, the Wisconsin Department of Health directed that the beach and boat landing be closed until further notice.  Both the boat landing and beach will be closed for the remainder of the year.

Though many lakes in Southeast Wisconsin are reporting higher incidents of blue-green algae blooms this year, the concentrated levels of the toxin mycrocystin in Booth Lake are higher than most other lakes are experiencing.  

While we are not entirely certain what has caused this unusually high algal growth, there are a number of factors that in the aggregate may shed some light.  Booth Lake is classified as a Deep Hole lake, meaning that it is a glacier-formed lake with no water inlet or outlet, nor is it spring fed. As such, there is no natural movement of water except through runoff or underground seepage. With the exceptionally warm and still weather conditions this summer and a base of nutrients in the water column, the conditions are ripe for algal growth.  

Booth Lake has also experienced fish kill this year. While the algae conditions may have been a factor, the invasive, non-native pond weed Eurasian Milfoil was treated lake wide in 2025, reducing the oxygen producing plant base significantly.  This plus the warmer than normal lake water temperature were likely factors.

We will continue to test, monitor and conduct research to determine the cause and effect of these conditions so we may develop a short-term and long-term plan to nurse Booth Lake back to health.

As we learn we will keep you informed.

Sincerely,

The Boards of the Town of Troy, Town of East Troy, Village of East Troy, The Booth Lake Management District and the Memorial Park Board.

---- Update 9/11/2026 ----

Dear Members,

BLMD representatives attended a meeting Sept 10th with representatives of the Town of Troy, the Village of East Troy, the Town of East Troy and the Memorial Park Board.  The meeting was called to improve the communication flow between the various governmental bodies and their constituents for both the near term algae situation and to start to plan for future algae prevention.  

What we can report is as follows:  1). The park’s waterfront will be closed for the remainder of 2026 as it is both off-season, and per WI Health Department directives to allow time for the blue green algae and its toxins to break down.  2). The park, at the recommendation of the WI Health Department, will keep the ramp closed to launching recreational and fishing boats.  3). The park will work with riparian owners to schedule taking boats out and is working with vendors for pier and lift services.  A web published hours schedule of launch open hours or a sign up sheet may be forthcoming.  In the meantime or until something more formal exists, please contact Bonnie and Shawn via the contact information on boothlakememorialpark.com at least one day in advance to schedule a boat removal.  4). As you may have heard from Complete Pier in East Troy via email, the safety of their employees is paramount, so they have scheduled their time to service their Booth Lake Customers for the first two weeks of November - subject to change.  Please contact your pier or lift contractor directly regarding their plans.

We will provide more details about testing results and schedules, and plans for potential future mitigations as they develop.  Look to our web site for those updates.

Don Vaccarello

Chairman

Quick Notes About Booth Lake

Booth Lake is a semi-private lake.  The launch, located at Booth Lake Memorial Park is only available for residents of the Town of Troy, the Town of East Troy, and the Village of East Troy.  Proof of residency and per launch or annual fee is required.

Booth Lake is a Clean Boat, Clean Waters lake.  Boats may not be launched that have not been power washed and/or dried for 7 days.  Bait and fish wells and bilge must be drained and dry.  Trailers must be dry and free of any seaweed.

Booth Lake has Slow-No-Wake hours of 7:00pm to 10:00am.  Boating safety and boating state law and local ordinances are enforced by the Town of Troy Water Patrol.

During periods of high water, Booth Lake may be under a Slow-No-Wake order or ordinance 24/7.  If under these conditions, it will be posted here and a Slow-No-Wake sign will be posted at the boat launch.