The Value of our Shorelines

Ever wonder about that place where the water meets the land? Do you enjoy the sound of waves rolling up on shore? Shorelines and their shallow margins rank right after coral reefs as the most prodigious and diverse environments hosting life.

Ninety percent of the living things in lakes and rivers are found along these shallow margins and shorelines, known as the nearshore zone. In Rock Lake, the nearshore zone extends about thirty feet into the land and to water depths of fifteen feet. Eighty percent of the plants and animals on Wisconsin’s endangered and threatened species list spend all or part of their life cycle within the this zone.

The nearshore zones are exceedingly important in maintaining a lake's health and the diversity of its aquatic life. In their natural state shorelines are commonly a mix of aquatic and wetland plants (including sedges, bulrushes, and cattails) and shrubs, flowers, grasses, and trees as one moves up onto dry land.

Because the nearshore zone is so important to the health of Rock Lake, it is important that human activities in this area are done in a way so as not to unduly disturb these nearshore areas. Waterfront property owners should know that they have choices when implementing projects on the shoreland, including shoreline erosion control, boat houses, and piers. Some choices are better for Rock Lake than others. For instance, while rock rip-rap may be an appropriate choice for severe erosion control, it is not always the best choice. It can have detrimental effects on fish and wildlife. Other remedies are more environmentally friendly and compliant with the public trust obligation of waterfront property owners. (For an explanation public trust, see HYPERLINK "http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/water/wm/dsfm/shore/doctrine.htm" www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/water/wm/dsfm/shore/doctrine.htm )

RLIA, in conjunction with the Jefferson County Land and Water Conservation Department, has developed a packet of materials to explain the importance of the nearshore zone and explore the environmentally friendly choices available to waterfront property owners. If you own property on Rock Lake and have not yet received this packet, please contact Patricia Cicero at 920-674-7121 or HYPERLINK "mailto:patriciac@co.jefferson.wi.us" patriciac@co.jefferson.wi.us.

Making Waves
March 17, 2005
Stanley Smoniewski