The Wisconsin Association of Lakes has conducted a number of studies on lake and lake policy issues. Summaries of the following reports and our annual reports are available below:
You will need Adobe Acrobat reader (download available at right) to view these files.
The Wisconsin Association of Lakes made progress on several statewide lake policy issues including polluted runoff, aquatic invasive species, and shoreland management. Read what initiatives, bills, and administrative rules we worked on, and learn how we assisted lake group members to develop local solutions for local lake protection.
2007-2008 report (417 KB)
2006-2007 report (647 KB)
2005-2006 report (1.16 MB)
Wisconsin lake organizations play a vital role in defining the future of our lakes. Developing a shoreland stewardship packet is a great way for your lake organization to promote lake-friendly waterfront living. This guide is designed to help lake organizations create and distribute shoreland stewardship packets to promote lake-friendly waterfront living.
More about this publication...
Download full guide (1.43 MB)
This manual provides guidance for developing a shoreland educational program. It includes step-by-step instructions for shoreland educational planning and ideas for implementing the educational plans. It also describes the compilation, distribution, and evaluation of packets of shoreland educational materials.
More about this publication...
Download publication (9 KB)
Lake classification is a flexible tool that helps counties tailor water resource protection measures to the needs of the local resources and the community, creating a range of recreational and waterfront living experiences. Lake classification is a locally-led process that allows counties to move beyond one-size-fits-all approaches to lake management. This assessment examines different county approaches to lake classification and the potential uses for this tool.
More about this publication...
Download publication (2.36 MB)
Wisconsin’s motorboat gas tax allocation program generates the funds that allow the State of Wisconsin to cost-share with lake groups and local governments on lake planning, protection, and classification grant projects (Learn more about Wisconsin lake grants). The study assessed how states in the Great Lakes region estimate and allocate taxes on motorboat fuels to water protection efforts.
More about this publication...
Download full report (184 KB)
This assessment inventories local boating ordinances covering inland lakes across the state. More than 500 local boating ordinances have been passed by counties, cities, villages, towns, and special purpose units of government such as Lake and Sanitary Districts. The most common kinds of activities regulated by local boating ordinances include: high speed boating, water skiing, and swimming. Approaches to regulation include: establishment of slow no wake zones, slow no wake times, setting speed limits on lakes, and prohibition of motorboats.
Download publication (255 KB)
This assessment provides an overview of the shoreland friends project, shoreland education plans and packets, example activities and implementation of shoreland education plans, and an analysis of how the program is working in participating counties across the state.
Download publication (214 KB)
