Lake Steward Program
As lakeshore owners, it’s our responsibility to protect our lakes health. The decisions we make directly influence how much pollution enters our lake waters. Protecting our lake water quality starts with how we manage the land around the lake and throughout the watershed.
Our lake’s health is shaped by three key areas surrounding it:
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Upland zone - area of the property furthest from the lake.
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The buffer zone - 25 feet from waters edge inland, along shoreline.
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Aquatic zone - shallow, near-shore area where sunlight penetrates to the bottom. Extends from the shore out to a depth of about 15 feet.
Picture by Wisconsin Land & Water
Upland Buffer Zone
This area is the portion of lakefront property farthest from the water, typically at a higher elevation, and often includes features such as a house, driveway, or garage. It is generally drier than areas closer to the shoreline, with soil that supports plants adapted to lower moisture levels and only occasional flooding, rather than the consistently wet or aquatic conditions found nearer the water.
This zone:
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Reduces rain water runoff - Minimizes bare soil, directs water into rain gardens, rain barrels, impervious pavement or redirecting away from the lake.
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By slowing down and absorbing rainwater on land, we keep pollutants out of the lake and maintain a cleaner, healthier lake system.
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Plant native plants, trees, shrubs and grasses –
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Native plants help filter runoff, require less water and their deep roots improve soil structure and land stability.
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Lake Stewards Managing The Upland Zone:
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Leave a 25 foot (or more) unmowed natural buffer zone
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This critical area protects the environment by filtering pollutants, reducing erosion, and providing habitat for wildlife. These natural areas absorb nutrients from runoff, stabilize shorelines with their deep root systems, and provide food and shelter for birds, insects, and other animals.
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Refrains from using pesticides
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These chemicals wash off lawns, driveways, and gardens during rain and flow into the lake.
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Refrains from using fertilizers
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Fertilizers contain nutrients—mainly nitrogen and phosphorus that wash off lawns into the lakes. When these nutrients enter a lake, they fuel excessive algae and aquatic plant growth (algae blooms)
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Picks up animal waste and disposes of it away from the lake.
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Animal waste contains harmful bacteria, viruses, and nutrients—especially nitrogen and phosphorus—which wash into lakes during rain. These pollutants contaminate swimming areas, contribute to algae growth, and degrade overall water quality.
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Buffer Zone
This critical area not only enhances the beauty of your shoreline, but can also increase property values. More importantly, it protects our lakes by slowing runoff and filtering pollutants while stabilizing the shoreline. It also provides essential habitat for fish, birds, butterflies, turtles, and other wildlife.
Lake Stewards managing the BUFFER ZONE:
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Maintains a natural shoreline buffer of at least 25 feet from the water’s edge.
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Plants native vegetation in this zone — native plants have deep roots that slow runoff, filter nutrients, stabilize soil, and provide habitat for wildlife. Native plants also help reduce erosion and ice damage.
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Learns to identify invasive plants and remove them when possible.
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Stores docks and shore equipment in ways that protect vegetation in this zone
Aquatic Zone
Aquatic zone is the shallow, near-shore area where sunlight penetrates to the bottom. Extends from the shore out to a depth of about 15 feet.
The aquatic zone is a living part of the lake, and keeping it healthy, helps keep our whole lake healthy. Plants that grow up out of the water help clean the lake, slow waves, and let muddy articles settle to the bottom.
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They also offer hiding and nursery areas for fish, frog, turtles, birds, insects and other
wildlife, and importantly, they help add oxygen back into the water. If underwater plants make swimming difficult, it’s fine to clear a small path for access—just try to leave most of the plants in place because they’re doing critically important work.
Rock-covered shorelines (riprap) can block the natural filtering done by plant roots. Without plants, pesticides, pet waste, and extra nutrients wash straight into the lake during rainstorms. By letting plants grow, or planting among the rocks, their roots help filter runoff before it reaches the water and also help hold the rocks in place.
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The Aquatic zone steward:
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Allows aquatic and floating plants along the waterline
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Leaves fallen trees and branches in the water, becoming valuable habitat and hiding places for fish, turtles, birds and other wildlife.
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Practices low impact boating closer to shore so not to disturb feeding, habitat and nesting areas.
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Allows plants to emerge in existing riprap adding stability and natural filtering
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Practices “Clean Boats, Clean Waters” to prevent the spread of invasive species
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Follows local rules for docks and watercraft storage to protect lake habitat