As mentioned briefly in our spring newsletter, the GLSD currently has a wonderful cost share program rain gardens in addition to shoreline restoration. A newer conservation practice, rain gardens are becoming popular nationwide as many landowners look to limit stormwater runoff from their properties. WHAT IS A RAIN GARDEN?Rain gardens are sunken gardens planted with wildflowers and other native plants that collect and soak up rainwater, mainly from the roof of a house, garage, or driveway. T...

WPDES PERMIT COMPLIANCEAs mentioned in previous newsletters, the GLSD is required to meet new, stringent wastewater discharge requirements set forth by the State of WI. The DNR regulates the discharge of pollutants to waters of the state through the Wisconsin Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (WPDES) program. Permits are issued for a five-year term. Like wastewater utilities all over WI, under the next permit (beginning in October of 2022) the DNR is requiring the GLSD to significantly red...

This past June, a detailed study of Green Lake was completed by the US Geological Survey, Michigan Technological Institute, and the Green Lake Association. The project began in 2016 with the GLA securing a grant to fund the study of depleted oxygen levels within the lake’s thermocline (approx. 30’ below the lake surface). Additionally, the study evaluated phosphorus reductions needed from the watershed to improve the lake’s water quality to un-impaired levels. In the last 40 years, the lake has...

The best management practice of ‘no-till’ is just what is sounds like. A no-till field management system avoids disturbing soil with tools like chisel plows, field cultivators, disks, and plows. Plowing breaks up the soil surface or flips the top layer of soil which breaks up soil stability and incorporates nearly all crop residue deeper into the soil profile. No-till management of crop fields allows the previous year’s crop to help hold and cover bare soil. This helps retain soil on fields use...