The Healthy Lakes and Rivers program, initiated by the Wisconsin DNR, is dedicated primarily towards reducing and eliminating harmful chemicals and biomass runoff into our lakes. Storm water runoff from driveways, roofs and lawns all may contribute to lake contamination. Solutions to minimize such runoff include storm water diversion ditches, rock pits or trenches to capture and infiltrate water into the ground, rain gardens and shoreline vegetation. The “Fish Sticks” projects also provide feeding, breeding and nesting areas for all sorts of native critters - including walleye and song birds –and prevent bank erosion, protecting your lakeshore and enhancing water quality. More info from the DNR can be found at https://healthylakeswi.com
We are considering a grant application for another round of funding and would love to include your projects. Call our volunteer engineer for a free evaluation to consider possibilities, Al Yoshimoto at 715-817-0439. And installation is easy too. We have compiled a local contractor list of help for you. (See below)
Ready to Find Out More?
Locally, 43 of our lakeshore properties have or are participating in the program in the first six grants rounds! Also, many of our neighbors have participated in multiple projects on their sites (and so have been eligible for thousands of grant dollars). The DNR typically grants 75% of an individual project’s cost and in addition your Lake Association provides an additional 15%. You provide 10% for most practices, but that may be from your labor on these projects and get your portion to zero of the out-of-pocket cost.
See What Your Neighbors Have Been Doing (click on a grant below):
| Thockmorton Trust (Willy Stern) | 1 Rain Garden, 3 Infiltration Practices |
| Paul Takkunen | 1 Rain Garden |
| Takkunen Family Trust | 2 Infiltration Practices |
| Daniel and Barb Takkunen | 1 Infiltration Practice |
| Kristin & Patti Baraks | 1 Rain Garden, 1 Infiltration Practice |
| John and Kay Mattson | 1 Rain Garden |
| Eric Anderson | 1 Rain Garden, 1 Diversion Practice |
| Kathleen and Tim Culhane-Pera | 1 Fish Sticks |
| Jim Jonasen | 1 Diversion, 1 Infiltration Practice |
| Shane Koeplin | 1 Infiltration Practice, 1 Native Planting Practice |
Available Resources for Healthy Lakes and Rivers
Allison Construction: (Mike Allison) 1-888-542-5561 asphalt paving, tree trimming, landscaping
Amity Creek Landscaping: (Duluth, MN) 218-525-6766 Landscaping including design
Brad’s Mini Digger: (Brad Greely) 715-374-2436 Cell 715-817-3577 Stump removal, trenching, ditching
Colby Logging & Dirt Work: (Roger Colby) 715-363-2421 Hauling rock, sand, gravel, screened top soil, rotten manure; dozer, backhoe and grader available
D.V. Olson Construction: (Dave Olson) 715-817-3206 remodeling, landscaping, concrete, skid loader services
Dragonfly Gardens: (Amery, WI): 715-268-7660 (Rob and Sheryl Bersick) native plants
Harv’s Tree Service: 715-374-2517 clearing land, tree trimming/removal, landscaping
J&C Lawncare: (Justin Alexson) 218-391-0813 weed control, lawn fertilization, aeration, lawn over seeding, mosquito control. Free Estimates
Lake Effect Construction: (Danny) 218-464-3965. Loads of rocks for infiltration trenches/pits. Also provides general landscaping, permaculture and driveway rock.
Lakeside Landscape: (Collin Witta) 218-343-9508 Site prep, planting, some design work
L&L Construction: (Jeff) 218-393-8091 siding, roofing, and handyman services. Low cost professional service. Free estimates
M&M Greenhouse: (Marianne Mueller-Alston, Mike Alston) Site prep for plantings, recommendations and native plants
Menards: (Superior WI): 715-395-8440 River Rock, delivered
Sarah Boles: (Cable WI) 715-580- 0270 Planting design and project management and supervision
Superior Landscape Contractors: (Kent Paulson) 218-391-1541 Site prep (digging), planting, some plants available
Tyler’s Excavating: (Tyler) 218-260-0417 bulldozing, landscaping, land clearing, driveways, waterlines and more
Blade Works Unlimited: (Adam Buchanan-Lake Nebagamon) 715-817-8089 Site prep, excavation to finishing. Free estimates.
While not an official business, if you have labor tasks not involving machinery our boat launch monitor Andrew Nelsen (local H.S. student) is a trustworthy and reliable option. 218-452-1760.
Direct questions or updates about this list to Jason Willett at 651-303-1850 or willett01@gmail.com
WI DNR prepared "fact sheets" and more info
- Fish Sticks https://webhosting.cals.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/366/2020/06/FishSticks-HealthyLakesFactSheetSeries.pdf
- Native Plantings https://webhosting.cals.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/366/2020/09/NativePlantings-HealthyLakesFactSheetSeries.pdf
- Diversions https://healthylakeswi.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/366/2019/02/Diversion-HealthyLakesFactSheetSeries.pdf
- Infiltration https://webhosting.cals.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/366/2020/06/RockInfiltration-HealthyLakesFactSheetSeries.pdf
- Rain Garden https://healthylakeswi.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/366/2019/02/RainGarden-HealthyLakesFactSheetSeries.pdf
- County Land Conservation Department Technical Assistance, including lake buffer affidavits: https://douglascountywi.org/305/Land-Conservation
- Fish Sticks More Info https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/Fishing/outreach/FishSticks.html