Shawano Water Management | Shawano Area Waterways Management

FAQ's

Shoreline Buffers

Shoreline Buffers – A Matter of Balance

Development causes increases in water runoff from the land into wetlands, ponds, and streams. This runoff transports water, sediments, nutrients and other pollutants into our waterways that can lead to a number of problems, including unsightly and/or toxic algae blooms; excessive aquatic plant growth; increased turbidity; damage to our fisheries; and loss of habitat.

Shoreline buffers are one of the most effective tools available for defending our waterways. Shoreline buffers can be best thought of as forming a living, self-sustainable protective shield. Combined with storm water management, environmentally friendly yard care, effective wastewater treatment, conservation farming methods, and appropriate use of fertilizers, shoreline buffers complete the set of actions we can take to minimize impact to our waterways. Although neatly trimmed grass lawns along shorelines are popular, these offer limited benefits as shoreline buffers. A single lawn alongside a body of water may not seem like much but the cumulative effects of many lawns can negatively impact our lakes and rivers.

Shoreline buffers can take many forms, which require a balancing act between lake viewing, access, and scenic beauty. Shoreline buffers can be integrated into a landscaping design that complements both the structural development and a lakeside lifestyle using attractive native plants. Installing a shoreline buffer on even a small section of your shoreline has a positive impact by forming your own “protective shield” while also creating a natural habitat for native species such as frogs, butterflies, etc., and limiting shoreline erosion.

If you are interested in learning more about shoreline buffers, email us at shawanolakewi@gmail.com. There are a lot of options, including rain gardens and rain barrels, and inexpensive do-it-yourself landscaping.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a shoreline buffer?

Shoreline buffers are a natural barrier that prevents runoff into a lake, river, and other waterways. Think of it as a living, self-sustaining protective shield; anything that prevents water from running into the waterway, including native plants and shrubs, rain gardens, and rain barrels.

Why should we be concerned about runoff into our waterways?

Runoff has been identified as the number one threat to our waterways because it carries nutrients into the water. These nutrients can cause:

Weed growth
Algae blooms
Water murkiness
Reduced dissolved oxygen, which impacts aquatic life, including fisheries

The impact of runoff may not appear obvious because most of it happens under water and it occurs over time.

Will a shoreline buffer block my view of the water?

No. A shoreline buffer can be as simple as low profile plants and shrubs that resemble a garden plot. In fact, flowering plants that are native to our area can create an attractive addition to your landscape. A plot that covers as little as ten feet of your shoreline will enhance your landscape and create an effective barrier – anything is better than nothing!

Why isn’t grass an effective shoreline buffer?

The grass has a shallow root system which only extends about two inches into the soil, whereas the roots of native plants can extend several inches and even a couple feet or more. This not only helps prevent shoreline erosion but also provides a much better filter before water reaches the lake, especially during heavy rainfall. As a bonus, the natural habitat created by a shoreline buffer will attract native species such as frogs, turtles, butterflies and more.

How much does it cost to create a shoreline buffer?

Like any landscape project the cost can vary significantly. Cost depends on factors such as:

Size of the area
Size and quantity of plants
How much you do yourself versus having a professional landscaper design and install the buffer

The cost could be as little as a hundred dollars for a 10 foot by 16 foot area that you install yourself, to several thousand dollars if you have your shoreline buffer professionally designed and installed using mature vegetation over a large area.

Are any funds available to help cover the cost of installing a shoreline buffer?

The Wisconsin DNR has grants available to provide funding assistance to individual property owners. They have promised a simple, streamlined application process to make it easy for property owners to take advantage of the funds available. Shawano County also has a program to provide financial assistance to property owners interested in installing a shoreline buffer. If you would like more information, contact SAWM at shawanolakewi@gmail.com.