Welcome to the Balsam Lake Protection and Rehabilitation District
Entrusted to Preserve, Protect, and Manage Balsam Lake Through Environmental and Conservation Stewardship for Sustainability
Balsam Lake is located in western Wisconsin, about 1 ½ hours east of the Twin Cities, MN.
The lake is approximately 2000 acres with eight islands, two permanent inlets and one permanent outlet. Balsam lake has 56 miles of picturesque shoreline, wildlife, fishing, town beach, many businesses and 129 acres of conservation land. There are about 1000 lakeshore owners.
The Balsam Lake Protection & Rehabilitation District (BLPRD) preserves Balsam Lake through watershed conservation areas, reducing nutrient and sediment runoff, lakeshore restoration projects, a weed harvesting program, alum treatments, water patrol program, and education.
Most Recent News and Agendas
- August 17, 2026, Board of Commissioners Meeting Draft.pdf
- 2026 July Annual Election Meeting Minutes- Final
- 2026 July Annual Meeting Minutes- Final
- June Bd Mtg Minutes Final
- 2026 Spring Dock Side Newsletter
- May Bd Mtg Minutes – Draft
- April 2026 Bd Mtg Minutes – Final
- March 2026 Bd Mtg Minutes – Final
- Nanobubble Project Monitoring Plan
- 2025 Annual Meeting Minutes – Draft
Public Comments and Questions
To submit public comments and questions, fill out the form below.
The 2026 Annual Meeting of the Balsam Lake Protection & Rehabilitation District was held on July 18, 2026, at Unity High School.
- The District’s recent progress and priorities for the coming year were discussed. Highlights included significant improvement in East Balsam water quality following the fourth alum treatment; updates on aquatic invasive species and water safety initiatives; the purchase of Stumps Bay Conservancy property, with another acquisition planned for 2027; improvements to harvesting operations and equipment to increase efficiency and capacity; and planning for future projects, including landing cameras and rehabilitation of the Balsam Lake Dam.
- The District also reported strong financial results. BLPRD paid off its 2024 Alum loan early, ending 2025 with no debt, and the approved 2027 budget includes an approximately 11% reduction in the tax levy from 2026.
The 2026 Annual Meeting Minutes can be found here. A copy of the Annual Meeting presentation and 2027 Budget can be requested at dean.truitt@blprd.com.
Commissioner and Leadership Changes in 2026
Dean Truitt now serves as Chairman, Tom Kelly as Vice Chairman, Terry Palmberg as Secretary, and Mark Pautschas Treasurer. Carrie Leisch was newly elected to the Board, and Jack Weix was reelected to to a two-year term. Raegan Sorensen serves as Lake Manager. Bill Mork and Dave Mariani retired as Commissioners.
See Something? Say Something.
Use our See Something Say Something reporting forms to share important information with the district.
To let our water patrol know of safety concerns you have on Balsam Lake use the safety concerns form. Pictures and video are able to be submitted and help our water patrol follow up on concerns.
If you think you have identified a new invasive species on Balsam Lake, report it using our invasive species reporting form.
To make a general inquiry with our commisioners, use our contact comissioners form