A fundraiser is underway to help the Crystal-Fish-Mud Lake Rehabilitation District purchase equipment to help lower lake levels.

The district, comprised of property owners around the lakes, located in northwestern Dane County, needs to replace about 2½ miles of temporary piping being used to funnel water from Crystal Lake into Roxbury Creek. The cost of the replacement piping is estimated at about $105,000, said Dave Padley, secretary of the lake district, in letters to the Lodi and Sauk Prairie chambers of commerce.

"We cannot borrow any more money due to state statutes governing the operation of lake districts limiting borrowing to 5 percent of assessed evaluation," Padley wrote. "These are not million-dollar lake homes we are trying to save."

Water levels on the lake have been rising for years but last year’s heavy rains and snow have increased the problems for property owners.

The lake district also wants to purchase a larger pump for about $160,000 that would allow the district to pump 2 million gallons of water from the lake each day, the maximum allowed under an emergency 90-day pumping permit granted by the Department of Natural Resources. Pumping of the lake began April 1.

Donations should be made payable to the Crystal Lake Emergency Fund, c/o Bank of Prairie Du Sac, Box 130, Prairie Du Sac, WI 53578.