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Contact Us We are here to answer any questions you have! OFFICE: Lost Lake RCD 404 Lake Court Dixon, IL 61021 [Google Map, click here ] Hours: Monday & Friday 9am-5pm  TELEPHONE: 815-652-2006  EMAIL: Beth Caudill, Office Manager Tim Spelde, President Hal Warren, Vice President Norm Eakley, Treasurer Doug Jones, Secretary Tim Sanders, Board Member Your details were sent successfully! Send

Shoreline Stabilization Shoreline Stabilization Ordinance  Shoreline Stabilization RipRap SOP  Shoreline Stabilization Re-Vegetation SOP Shoreline Improvement Application Construction Variance Application Private Dock Registration  

Clear Creek Watershed The "Clear Creek Watershed" is a 7.22-mile basin that drains 11,130 acres (17.4 mi³) in Ogle and Lee counties in north-central Illinois. Lost Lake (88 acres) is the main repository of the drainage, and, as the water continues its journey to the Rock River, the Mississippi River, and beyond. In 2009, the RCD initiated an outreach effort. Headed by then RCD President and visionary Steve Larry, this informal group visited major stakeholders in the Clear Creek Watershed. Over time, these stakeholders agreed to participate in a formal effort to manage the watershed streams, creeks, ponds, flora, wild life and livestock in order to improve the quality of all waters in the watershed including Lost Lake.  From this coalition, two important committees were formed: the Clear Creek Watershed Partnership (CCWP), and the Clear Creek Technical Advisory Committee (CCTAC). After two years, 12 meetings and one executive session, these two committees produced a formal action plan. In short, management of the Clear Creek watershed focuses on addressing flash-flooding issues, minimizing stormwater run-off, flashy hydrology, streambank erosion, and related sedimentation and pollutant loading into the streams . . . all in an effort to benefit the 'SWAPAH' (Soil, Water, Plants, Animals and Humans) residing in the watershed. Reaching out to stakeholders in the Clear Creek Watershed represents a major step toward the overarching goal of the further viability of Lost Lake as a major ecological, aesthetic and engineering success. The culmination of the initial outreach, in the form of the CCWP and the CCTAC committees has put an end to the myopic view of Lost Lake as isolated “local community” lake and has replaced that view with one that recognizes Lost Lake a part of a larger ecosystem. Images From The Clear Creek Watershed Lost Lake looking North across Lost Nation Road Clear Creek south of Lost Nation Road Clear Creek erosion (site #06052) Lost Lake looking North across Lost Nation Road 1/8 Clicking on any of the above images will enlarge the slideshow, and reveal any hidden captioning. In 2010, the Clear Creek Watershed Partnership produced two documents: the Clear Creek Watershed Inventory and Analysis document, and the Clear Creek Watershed Action Plan — providing a detailed roadmap and set of recommendations that are being implemented to this day. Click on the below links to view/download these documents. Clear Creek Watershed Inventory and Analysis Clear Creek Watershed Action Plan Babbling Brook and Lost Lake Stabilization Project Video

Beaches The Lost Lake RCD owns and manages the two lake swimming beaches within the Lost Lake community: "West Beach", and "North Beach". The West Beach is located on the West side of the community along Birch Lane, while the North Beach is on the East side of the community at the end of Beech Lane. Both beaches have porta-potties, picnic tables and charcoal grills. The following rules govern the use of the beaches and shall be enforced by the Lost Lake RCD:  SWIM AT YOUR OWN RISK; NO LIFEGUARD PRESENT  1. The beach water is not suitable for drinking. Avoid swallowing water. 2. Admission to the beach may be refused to all persons having any contagious disease, infectious conditions such as colds, fever, ringworm, foot infections, skin lesions, carbuncles, boils, diarrhea, vomiting, inflamed eyes, ear discharges, or any other condition which has the appearance of being infectious. A person under the influence of alcohol or exhibiting erratic behavior shall not be permitted in the beach area. 3. Littering is prohibited. In addition, no food, drink, gum or tobacco is allowed in the water. Glass containers are prohibited throughout the beach area. 4. All children who are not toilet trained shall wear tight-fitting rubber or plastic pants. 5. No one should swim alone. 6. Persons under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a responsible person 16 years of age or older. 7. Personal conduct within the beach area must be such that safety is not jeopardized. 8. Diving is not permitted. 9. Swimming is prohibited after sunset or before sunrise, or when thunder is heard or lightning is seen, including a 15-minute period after the last lightning or thunder is detected. 10. No pets are permitted in the beach area. 11. Feeding of wildlife or actions that encourage their presence is prohibited.  12. Protection from sun exposure is advised for persons on the beach area. Examples include wearing sunscreen, wearing clothing and hats, or staying in shaded areas. Water Testing To prevent illnesses associated with swimming at Illinois beaches, each licensed beach (including the two beaches within the Lost Lake community) is inspected annually to determine that required safety features are in place and there are no sources of possible pollution such as sewage discharges. These inspections are done either by the Illinois Department of Public Health or a local health department, or, in Chicago, by the Chicago Park District. The Department also requires that each of the 335 licensed public beaches be sampled every two weeks to determine that bacterial levels in the water are within limits established in the Swimming Pool and Bathing Beach Code (77 Ill. Admin. Code 820). The maximum E. coli level allowed – 235 colony-forming units per 100 milliliters (cfu/100mL) – is based on guidelines established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for recreational waters. Two sample bottles are mailed to each licensed beach operator every two weeks, beginning in May and concluding in September, for sampling the shallow and deep areas of the beach. If both of the sample results exceed 235 cfu per 100 mL, the operator is ordered to immediately close the beach. If one of the sample results exceeds the 235 level, the facility is required to submit two additional samples. If either of those re-sample results exceeds 235 cfu/100mL, the beach is ordered to close. Beaches are allowed to reopen when both samples collected on the same day have less than 235 cfu/100mL. The Department's regulations also contain a maximum standard for fecal coliform bacteria (500 cfu per 100 mL); the same testing frequency and closing procedures apply. Both E. coli and fecal coliform serve as good indicators of bacterial contamination because they live in the intestines of warm-blooded animals. E. coli is a subgroup of the fecal coliform bacteria. The water quality at many Illinois beaches can be influenced by heavy rainfall. If a recent heavy rainfall makes the water look cloudy, the beach may not be safe even if the most recent sample results were satisfactory. Use common sense and good judgment anytime you swim in natural waters. If the water does not look inviting, don't swim. Since most of the swimming-related disease outbreaks in Illinois have been associated with fecal discharges from swimmers, the Department requires that all children who are not toilet trained wear tight-fitting rubber or plastic pants. Swimmers are advised not to drink the beach water. If you have any questions about the bathing beach program, contact the Department's Division of Environmental Health at 217-782-5830.

RCD and Lake Court Center Calendar The calendar below displays RCD meeting dates, special events, community events, facility rentals, and more. Click on a day to expand the listing information.

Amenities + Rentals The Lost Lake RCD owns, maintains and manages a number of amenities, facilities and recreational assets within its taxing district, including: • 88-acre Lost Lake • Lake Court Center • North Beach and West Beach • Campground • Boat Racks and RCD Boat Docks • Flagg Road Silt Basin To learn more, including the rental opportunities of the Lake Court Center (LCC), the campground, boat racks and boat docks, visit the sub-menu items beneath "Amenities + Rentals", as well as the "Forms + Applications" tab. The RCD's boat docks have proven to be a popular rental opportunity for boaters with larger boats.

Volunteers + Stewardship The RCD is always looking for volunteers and project stewards! Secchi disk testing monitors our lake's clarity. Volunteer Opportunities Libra rian / Library Assistant LCC Kitchen Oversight Office Projects Cleaning Projects Maintenance Projects Lake/Beach Projects Parks Projects LCC Gardening Please contact the RCD office if you are interested in volunteering for any of these opportunities. (815) 652-2006 or beth.caudill@lostlakercd.org Recycling Opportunities Pop Tabs for Ronald McDonald House Plastic Caps & Lids for Girl/Boy Scouts Recy cling items can be dropped off at Lake Court Center 404 Lake Court Dixon, IL 61021 M-F 9am-5pm

Fishing The Lost Lake RCD's lake and watershed management activities have proven themselves very beneficial to the lake's fishery qualities.  When the RCD began managing the lake in the late 1970s, the quality of the lake's overall fishing was on a marked and very noticeable decline. Now, some 30-plus years later, the lake can be considered one of the state's best waters for trophy walleye, largemouth bass, muskie and crappie. Also roaming the 88-acre Lost Lake are channel catfish, smallmouth and hybrid striped bass, sunfish/bluegill, and perch.  A good deal of thanks and gratitude must also be passed along to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), and the Lost Lake Fishing Club, for their many volunteer efforts that have greatly contributed to Lost Lake's rejuvenation. To view IDNR & privately-hired electroshocking studies and historical fish stocking data, click here . Stocking of game fish by the RCD, and assisted by the Lost Lake, is driven by electroshocking studies conducted by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and typically occurs in October. Releasing a quality muskie back into Lost Lake. Muskie raised during electroshocking Stocking of game fish by the RCD, and assisted by the Lost Lake, is driven by electroshocking studies conducted by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) and typically occurs in October. 1/8 Clicking on any of the images above will enlarge the slideshow images, and reveal full captioning. Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) laws & regulations are in force while fishing Lost Lake. Click HERE to view/download the current IDNR fishing laws & regulations. 2026 Fishing Creel Limits

Agendas + Minutes Meetings are held on the 2nd Thursday of every month at 6 pm, unless otherwise posted. Meetings are held at: Lake Court Center 404 Lake Court Dixon, IL 61021  June 2026 Special Mtg Agenda June 2026 Agenda May 2026 Agenda and Minutes April 2026 Agenda and Minutes April 2026 Exec Session Agenda March 2026 Agenda and Minutes February 2026 Special Meeting Agenda and Minutes February 2026 Agenda and Minutes January 2026 Exec Session Agenda January 2026 Agenda and Minutes December 2025 Agenda and Minutes November 2025 Agenda and Minutes October 2025 Agenda and Minutes September 2025 Agenda and Minutes Annual Open House 2025 Agenda and Minutes August 2025 Agenda and Minutes July 2025 Agenda and Minutes June 2025 Agenda and Minutes June 2025 Special Meeting Agenda and Minutes May 2025 Agenda and Minutes April 2025 Agenda and MInutes March 2025 Agenda and Minutes February 2025 Agenda and Minutes January 2025 Agenda and Minutes December 2024 Agenda and Minutes November 2024 Agenda and Minutes October 2024 Agenda and Minutes September 2024 Agenda and Minutes Annual Open House 2024 Special Mtg Agenda and Minutes August 2024 Agenda and Minutes July 2024 Agenda and Minutes June 2024 Agenda and Minutes May 2024 Special Meeting Agenda and Minutes May 2024 Agenda and Minutes April 2024 Agenda and Minutes March 2024 Agenda and Minutes February 2024 Agenda and Minutes January 2024 Agenda and Minutes December 2023 Agenda and Minutes November 2023 Agenda and Minutes October 2023 Agenda and Minutes September 2023 Agenda and Minutes August 2023 Agenda and Minutes July 2023Special Meeting Agenda and Minutes July 2023 Agenda and Minutes June 2023 Agenda and Minutes May 2023 Agenda and Minutes April 26, 2023 Special Meetin g Agenda and Mi nutes April 20, 2023 Special Meetin g Agenda and Minutes April 2023 Agenda and Minutes March 2023 Agenda and Minutes February 2023 Special Meetin g Agenda and Minutes February 2023 Agenda and Minutes January 2023 Age nda and Minutes Lost Lake RCD Board Meeting Dates for 2026 January 8, 2026 at 6 pm February 12, 2026 at 6 pm March 12, 2026 at 6 pm April 14, 2026 at 6 pm (Rescheduled from April 9) May 14, 2026 at 6pm June 11, 2026 at 6 pm July 9, 2026 August 13, 2026 at 6 pm September 10, 2026 at 6 pm October 8, 2026 at 6 pm November 12, 2026 at 6 pm December 10, 2026 at 6 pm Annual Community Open House: August 23, 2026 at 2 pm Meeting dates are subject to change with any changes to be posted per the open meetings act 5 ILCS 120/2.02(a)