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FAQ's

General PRD

All properties within approximately 1000' of the shoreline are part of the Big Cedar Lake Preservation and Rehabilitation District. The lake district is a governmental body with elected and appointed leaders and an annual budget funded from tax levies or special assessments. 

You can check the Washington County GIS Program. Search for the address or owner, and in the pop up, scroll down and click on Tax Assessment. Select a recent tax bill. If Big Cedar PR & Reh is listed, then the property is part of the district. 

Before beginning any construction, including remodeling, reconstruction or any structural alterations, grading and landscaping, there may be a need to obtain a permit from Washington County as well as a permit from your local government (Town of West Bend or Town of Polk). The PRD is not involved with zoning ordinances or permits.

Wake Surfing has a recommended area in the south end of the lake. See Ordinances and Guidelines for specific details.   Wake Surfing Recommended Area.pdf

Also note the guidelines are for wake surfing only and not wake boarding.  Information below will help to explain the difference.

Trash & Recycling

Call the BCLPRD office at (262) 629-9322, Monday to Friday between 7:30 AM and 3 PM. If no one answers, leave your message along with your name, address and phone number on the answering machine.

You may also contact GFL customer service at 1-920-387-0987 or [email protected]. Reference that your home is in the Big Cedar Lake District.

Please subscribe to updates on our website as updates will be posted regarding any service delays.

Trash pickup is every Friday, unless a holiday falls during the week, then pickup is Saturday. Please see the current calendar for trash collection.

Town of West Bend -- For those in the Town of West Bend, recycling pickup is every other Friday, unless a holiday falls during the week, then pickup is Saturday. 

Town of West Bend residents who live in the lake district are included in the Town of West Bend’s recycling. You may contact the Town of West Bend for any recycling concerns at (262) 338-3417 or Badgerland/LRS customer service at 1-608-580-0580 or [email protected].

Please see the current calendar for Town of West Bend recycling collection: Trash & Recycling

Town of Polk – For those in the Town of Polk, the recycling center is open on Saturdays from 9 AM to NOON (except inclement weather and holidays). The recycling center is located at 3680 State Hwy 60, Slinger, WI. The office can be reached at (262) 677-2123.

Do not blow leaves or other yard waste into the lake. The Town of West Bend has a Leaf and Yard Waste Facility located at 6355 Cty Hwy Z, West Bend, WI where Town of West Bend residents can purchase an authorization sticker from the Town and can take leaf and yard waste from May through November on select Saturdays. See the Town of West Bend website for more information. Yard Waste & Brush - Town of West Bend

The Town of Polk has a recycling center open on Saturdays from 9 AM to NOON (except inclement weather and holidays). Brush and leaves are accepted. The recycling center is located at 3680 State Hwy 60, Slinger, WI. The office can be reached at (262) 677-2123.

Weed Harvesting

BCL PRD has an Aquatic Plant Management Plan and applies for a Mechanical Weed Harvesting Permit from the WI Department of Natural Resources every five years.

The Aquatic Plant Management Plan outlines the harvesting techniques that can be used to manage aquatic plant growth. The areas permitted are specified in the permit. The conditions of the permit are needed to protect the health of the lake, and for all lake users.

The map to view the permitted areas can be found at Services > Weed Harvesting > BCL Aqukatic Plant Mgmt Plan. See pages 36 to 39 for maps.

Weed harvesting begins in mid-June and goes through mid-September. However, this is dependent on weather and overall weed growth and therefore may change slightly year to year.

The harvester will not be out until the spawning of specific fish species is completed in late spring/early summer.

Generally, weed harvesting will take place at least twice a week, however this is based on weather and aquatic plant growth observations. The harvesting machines can cut weeds that grow from the lake bottom and also able to collect chopped weed material that is created by recreational boats. It is more difficult for the harvesters to collect chopped weeds as the small pieces are able to get through the head of the machines. Floaters are masses of chopped weeds that gather at the lake surface and choke out sunlight which is crucial for other vegetation and species that live on/in the lake. 

Residents are responsible to collect shoreline weeds and can place them on the end of their pier for pickup. Aquatic weed pickup is on Tuesdays and Fridays, weather permitting. Please check the BCLPRD website (www.bigcedarlakeprd.org) or FACEBOOK (Big Cedar Lake PRD) for updates to the cutting and pickup schedule

Please contact the Big Cedar Lake PRD in early April. This is when we begin to prepare for the weed harvesting operations. This is a part time summer job and basic mechanical experience is required.