Beach restoration in Wisconsin reduces pollution in Lake Michigan
Planting dune grasses, adding new sand, and reshaping six beaches around Wisconsin’s Door County have helped reduce polluted runoff into Lake Michigan.
Description
Tourism is a huge part of the economy in Door County, Wis., accounting for more than $800 million in 2014 alone. In part, tourism is dependent on clean, reliable recreation: hunting, fishing, swimming, and wildlife watching. Several beaches around Door County were being closed several times in a season due to high levels of E. coli—a bacteria that can cause diarrhea and other ailments—which tended to spike after heavy rains. In an effort to reduce beach closures, prevent pollution in the lakes, and protect tourism dollars, six beaches were revitalized with Great Lakes Restoration Initiative funding. Beach pollution was largely due to a combination of stormwater runoff and too many waterfowl utilizing the beach. Funding allowed Europe-Hotz Memorial Park, Haines Park Beach, Portage Park Beach, Lakeside Park Beach, Murphy Beach, and Sand Bay Beach to be restored and now contribute even more to the Door County economy, while also preventing runoff from polluting Lake Michigan.
Resource Challenges Addressed
Polluted runoff
Closed beaches
Location
Door County, Wis.
Approximate Cost
$702,300
Key Partners
Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, Door County Soil and Water Department, Door County Parks Department, Door County Highway Department, Rass Excavating & Materials, Town of Liberty Grove, Baudhuin Inc., Pinkert Law Firm, Town of Nasewaupee, Town of Sturgeon Bay, Town of Jacksonport, Miller Engineers and Scientists, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, and the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program
Types of Jobs Created
Landscape architect, heavy equipment operators, excavators, general laborers
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON SIX BEACHES
A view of Haines Beach prior to restoration. Wet, compacted sand, pictured here, can be a perfect environment for bacteria to breed. Credit: Door County Soil and Water District.
Results and Accomplishments
On all six beaches topography was changed to slow the flow of stormwater, giving it more time to be absorbed into the ground and reducing the amount that reaches Lake Michigan. New coarser sand was delivered, too. This sand dries faster and allows more infiltration which in turn provides an environment where bacteria have a harder time surviving in it. Dune grasses planted along ridges and in swales served as a deterrent to waterfowl—they prefer open areas—while also increasing the ability of the sand to absorb stormwater. Together, these features have made the beaches a cleaner, more inviting place to visit. As a result, beach visits have increased. The health of Lake Michigan has been improved too thanks to reduced runoff.
