Rock Lake

Improvement

Association

RLIA Recommendation to the City Council on Water Levels
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Thinking of Shoreland Changes? Read this first…
Waterfront Landowner Reference Guide
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Construction Sites & Water Quality

Sediment laden water that runs off construction sites is an issue in our watershed. Construction site runoff will eventually make it into Rock Lake, and is a significant contributor of sediment and excess nutrients which will impair the water quality of Rock Lake.1

Who do you contact when you see poor practices?
RLIA receives numerous comments about construction site issues, mostly about dirty runoff entering our watershed.
-If you live in the City of Lake Mills,contact Troy Evenson, Building Inspector & Zoning Administrator at: (Cell) 920-817-0468) or (Office) 920-648-2344.
-If you live in the Town of Lake Mills, contact BOTH the Town of Lake Mills Building Inspector, Chris Butschke, at 608-576-6371 and the Jefferson County Zoning Department at 920-674-7130.

Hillside Erosion at Construction Site
Polluted Construction Runoff

Proper Construction Site Management

Erosion control is only effective if it is properly installed and maintained.  Contractors should inspect erosion control measures prior to storms and make any necessary adjustments to ensure that it is working properly.
Silt Fences
Silt fences are made out of a woven fabric that lets water pass through, but not sediment.  When properly installed, the fabric is trenched into the ground and the wooden support posts are straight up and down as well as located on the opposite side from the construction. Good erosion control practices can lessen impacts.
Well Installed Silt Fence
Improperly Installed and Not Maintained
Failure at Low Point

Importance of vegetation, etc

The area within 75 feet of Rock Lake is very important to the water quality of Rock Lake. Please know that there are rules governing what can and cannot be done in this special area. Before anything is done within 75 feet of Rock Lake (including but not limited to cutting of any vegetation, grading of the land, or the construction of buildings, walkways, stairs, walls, etc.) contact the appropriate entity to talk to them about a proposed project. See this detailed guide to any kind of work in the vicinity of the shoreline.

Silt Fences Serve as a Last Resort for Erosion Control, but the Best Policy is to Leave the Natural Shoreline Intact
Construction with Natural Shoreline Intact

LINKS for more Information:​

We also have included an anonymous form you can fill out, which RLIA will forward to the proper authority, although this route may take additional time. Please include the date, exact location, and nature of the problem. You may also leave contact information (which we will not forward) in case we have questions. You may also email us at mail@rocklake.org

1 see page 74 in Management Plan

Disclaimer: several of the images used on this page have been copied from governmental sources. We make no claim to them and they are not copyrighted by us.