About Us

ERCLA was formed in 2001 when a group of dedicated volunteers came together with the common goal to maintain, protect and improve the quality of the Eagle River Chain of Lakes and its shoreland area.

In the beginning, we worked closely with the individual lake associations to accomplish our goals. In 2017, this changed and at the end of the year all individual lake associations were dissolved. The individual associations funds were combined with ERCLA, and as a single entity ERCLA represents the Eagle River Chain of Lakes.

Lake Captains represent the Riparians of each lake and the tributaries of the Eagle River, the Wisconsin River, the Deerskin River, Mud Creek and Rice Creek.

ERCLA works closely with the Unified Lower Eagle River Chain of Lakes Commission, a local, publicly-funded entity comprised of the City of Eagle River and the towns of Washington, Cloverland and Lincoln. The Commission applies for DNR grants which fund the management of Aquatic Invasive Species, with the most significant being Eurasian Water Milfoil.

ERCLA provides education regarding issues important to the Chain and the rivers that are a part of the Chain. ERCLA also advocates on behalf of more than 1,700 Chain property owners.

As of September 2022, ERCLA had 935 members, representing 53% of waterfront property owners.