Lake Springfield Fun

For our Lake Springfield Fishers,
You can use dissolved oxygen levels and water temperatures to determine the best depth for finding fish.

Approximately every two weeks from spring through fall, CWLP measures dissolved oxygen levels and temperature at 1- to 2-foot depth intervals from five different locations on the lake:

- Near the water intake tower, near Spaulding Dam
- In the main basin of the lake, midway between Lindsay Bridge and the C&IM Railroad bridge
- Just west of the C&IM Railroad bridge
- In the upper (Lick Creek) arm, between Woodside Bridge and the I-55 bridge
- In the lower (Sugar Creek) arm, near the Wildlife Sanctuary

Here's the latest from our June 7th readings. You can always find the three most recent readings here along with our E.coli monitoring results,
https://www.cwlp.com/LakesParksHome/LakesParksInformation/LakeWaterQuality.aspx

New classes starting March 29.

America's Boating Course

Springfield Boaters: Lake Springfield Watercraft Licensing for the 2022 season is underway. Renewal notices for boats registered on Lake Springfield during the 2021 season have been mailed out and must be returned by June 30th. CWLP’s 2022 license renewal form and other boating information can be found here, https://www.cwlp.com/LakesParksHome/LakesParksInformation/Boating.aspx.

Beginning in April, you can also register and license your boat/craft for use on Lake Springfield at the Lindsay Bridge Boat Licensing Station during early season limited hours on the weekends. Call ahead, 217.786-4075. For questions or licensing needs during off-hours, call 217.757.8600. or e-mail [email protected].

See Temporary Lake Patrol position among new job postings at CWLP.

JOB ALERT: We've added a posting today for a Computer Operator I and Temporary Lake Patrol position. We also still have postings for a Supervisor of Generation, Communications Operator and the open posting for Journeyman Lineman (IBEW 193).

Visit our Jobs page for full description and link to City of Springfield HR page for more information on hiring and how to apply https://www.cwlp.com/JobOpportunities.aspx

Lake Springfield Watercraft Licensing is underway. To learn more about boating activities, license classes and access our 2021 license renewal form, visit https://www.cwlp.com/LakesParksHome/LakesParksInformation/Boating.aspx.

You can also register and license your boat/craft for use on Lake Springfield at the Lindsay Bridge Boat Licensing Station during early season limited hours on the weekends. Call ahead, 217.786-4075. For questions or licensing needs during off-hours, call 217.757.8600. or e-mail [email protected].

Sangamon County Farm Bureau, as well as our partners, are hosting a cover crop field day in the Lake Springfield Watershed on Tuesday, March 23rd at 10:00 A.M. This is an in-person event with a strict 50-person attendance cap and social distancing, and mask wearing will be required for all attendees. RSVP to the Sangamon County Farm Bureau at (217) 753-5200.This event will be recorded and videos of the program can be found after the event at www.ILFB.org/FieldDays and also on our page.

See Land of Lincoln Power Squadron's Boating Safety Courses schedule for March.

See update on CWLP's shoreline stabilization riprap work this year.

Blessing of the Boats is Saturday the 4th!

BLESSING OF THE BOATS ON THE 4TH!
The public is invited to spread the word on boating safety and attend the Elk's 5th Annual Blessing of the Boats event this Saturday, July 4th. In accordance with Illinois' COVID-19 guidelines, attend by boat or shore at the lakefront of the Springfield Elks Lodge located at 409 East Lake Shore Drive on the northeast end of the lake. All may begin assembling near the lakefront after 12 p.m. and the ceremony will begin promptly at 1:00 p.m. Participating boaters are encouraged to decorate their boats appropriately and can assemble lakeside at the Elks lodge property about 100 yards off shore. A parade of boats to receive the blessing will be led by the Springfield Police and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Police. The Land of Lincoln Power Squadron will be on site with boating safety information.

See updated boating guidelines for Lake Springfield.

New Boating Guidelines for Lake Springfield, Lindsay Boat Licensing Station To Open Saturday (Also posted here https://www.cwlp.com/LakesParksHome/LakesParksInformation/Boating.aspx)

Lake Springfield Boating Guidelines During COVID19
• Social distancing rules apply to users of Lake Springfield and face coverings will be required for those entering the Lindsay Boat Licensing Station. Any persons with illness or under recommendation to quarantine should not boat on Lake Springfield.
• Boaters are allowed to have up to 6 immediate family members in the same boat. Beginning May 29th, these guidelines are expected to allow up to 10 per vessel in boats that are of an appropriate size to hold that number.
• No tying boats together and maintain a distance of at least 35 feet between boats.
• Keep boats 35 or more feet from shoreline and private docks.
• Follow all other Lake Springfield and State of Illinois boating rules.

TAKE PRECAUTIONS DUE TO HEAVY RAINS
With all the recent rains increasing runoff into Lake Springfield, boaters and swimmers should be aware of potential hazards. E.coli levels are currently higher in the Lake Springfield than what Public Health recommends as a bathing beach standard. View our most recent readings from today from our web page with other E.coli information, https://www.cwlp.com/LakesParksHome/LakesParksInformation/LakeWaterQuality.aspx. With more rain and potential for flooding logs and debris in the lake could be hazardous so lake users should use caution.

LINDSAY OPEN
Lindsay Boat Licensing Station is planned to be open on Saturdays beginning this weekend (7:30 am-2:30 pm). This is weather dependent and will be based on staffing availability for the remainder of the boating season. Boaters are encouraged to call ahead to the station at 786-4075 or contact Lake Security for questions, 757-8600. Face coverings must be worn inside the Lindsay Boat Licensing Station.

To register your boat/craft for use on Lake Springfield, you must:
• Have a valid boat license from the State of Illinois or be able to show proof that such a license has been applied for
• Verify your current address by showing a valid driver's license or other photo ID
• Complete an application detailing the length of your boat/craft and the horsepower rating of any motor or engine
• Boat License Applications can be printed from the CWLP website https://www.cwlp.com/LakesParksHome/LakesParksInformation/Boating.aspx and completed in advance, or filled out at the station.
• Through June 30th, boat license applications can be processed by mail as well. Send completed application forms with payment to CWLP, P.O. Box 3560, Springfield, IL 62708. The license will be mailed back to you upon approval. Please allow for 10 to 12 days for processing by mail.