Lake Health Goal and Coordinated Watershed Planning
FOLW is working to develop a community-based vision for what Lake Wingra can be (based on the best available scientific understanding) and what it should be (based on the needs and desires of the public) by the year 2030. We hope to gain wide community endorsement of a set of practical goals for the health of the lake, then use those goals to establish a plan for getting there.
See: Lake Health Goals, June 2007
Background:
FOLW’s work in watershed management planning has been supported by a two year (2001-2003) Lake Management Planning Grant from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. This project was a community-driven initiative to develop and implement integrated plans for: 1) watershed stormwater management and 2) control of exotic species that threaten Lake Wingra and its surrounding watershed. The overall goal of this planning effort was to provide a holistic set of management and citizen involvement strategies to enhance water quality in Lake Wingra, and the integrity of its wetland and upland habitats. Plans were developed form clearly defined management values:
Storm Water Management Values
- Ecosystem Health
- Management at the Source
- Infiltrating Rainfall
- Eliminating Erosion
- Collecting Nutrients and Sediments
Invasive Species Management Values
- Prevent the entry and establishment of invasive species into the watershed.
- Control or eradicate invasive plant and animal species.
- Native habitat restoration.
- Improve storm water management practices in the watershed.
The planning process has involved collaboration with numerous partner organizations including government agencies, educational institutions, neighborhood associations, interest groups, and businesses. FOLW hosted two Partner Meetings with the intent of obtaining input to the management plans from stakeholders whose:
- Actions and practices impact the health of Lake Wingra and its Watershed AND/OR
- Quality of life is affected by the health of Lake Wingra and its Watershed.
FOLW presented draft management plans to Partners in April 2003, and we further developed plans by integrating feedback from Partners. We completed management planning for stormwater and invasive species during the summer of 2003, but will continue to refine and expand this planning in the future. To read the plans or the grant proposals for this project, follow the links below:
Management Plans
Grant Proposals
- Lake Management Planning Grant — Stormwater (coming soon)
- Lake Management Planning Grant — Invasives (coming soon)