Lake and Stream Management

SEWRPC and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) work with local lake community organizations, including lake management associations and public inland lake protection and rehabilitation districts, to prepare lake management plans. These plans can be targeted issue-based plans, such as aquatic plant management plans; lake protection and or recreational use plans designed to correct or manage current problems; or comprehensive management plans that address the full range of management issues. Comprehensive lake plan reports describe the existing chemical, biological, and physical water quality conditions in each lake in question; existing and proposed uses of the lake and attendant water quality objectives and standards; recommended pollution abatement measures required in each lake watershed to protect and enhance lake water quality; and recommended aquatic plant management and other appropriate in-lake measures needed to provide for a range of suitable recreational uses of the lake. SEWRPC has prepared aquatic plant management plans for 12 lakes, lake protection plans for 11 lakes, and comprehensive lake plans for 22 lakes.

SEWRPC works with local units of government and the WDNR to prepare watershed protection plans, and with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) to develop localized stream restoration assessment and design guidance.  Watershed protection plans provide recommendations and strategies for communities to apply in protecting sensitive habitats and protecting and improving water resources. The development of localized stream restoration assessment and design guidance capitalizes on the opportunity to promote stream channel rehabilitation as a part of highway projects.

The document Managing the Water's Edge: Making Natural Connections was developed to communicate important and up-to-date information and concepts related to riparian buffers in order to help protect and restore water quality, wildlife, recreational opportunities , and scenic beauty.

The document Continuity Along Steam Corridors: Making Natural Connections was developed to highlight concepts that address issues associated with stream crossings and their effects on water quality, water movement, fisheries passage, flooding, and riverside communities.

Links to model floodplain, shoreland and bluff/ravine setback ordinances or regulations are available on this Community Assistance webpage.