Potential Treatments
Welcome to CHAPTER 8 of our educational series,
"Ten Things You Should Know About Eagle Lake’s Environmental Challenges."
 
 
 
The Path to Informed Action: Awaiting Year 3 Data
This chapter outlines potential treatment strategies for a eutrophic lake, but it is important to emphasize that we are not yet at a stage where intervention decisions can be made.  While the Surface Water Action Team has already completed two years of enhanced sampling and data collection, a full understanding of our lake’s ecosystem is still evolving.  Notably, findings from year two suggest that lake sediments play a more significant role than previously anticipated, prompting adjustments to our approach.  To refine our understanding, year three testing will expand to focus on additional sediment sampling, photic depth measurements, storm flow rate analysis, expanded oxygen level monitoring, and localized nutrient-binding studies.  While emerging trends do provide valuable insights, this final year of data collection will solidify conclusions, ensuring that stakeholder recommendations are both scientifically rigorous and well-supported.
 
Final Comprehensive Report
Once the final samples and test results have been submitted and fully analyzed, a comprehensive report will be produced by our project consultant, Dr. Marcel Dijkstra.  The report will be distributed jointly to the Eagle Lake Improvement Association board members and Eagle Lake Management District commissioners, and all key stakeholders who request a copy.  This will complete this phase of the Eagle Lake Protection Program (ELPP).
 
Potential Treatment Options
Improving water quality in a shallow, hypereutrophic lake requires a combination of physical, chemical, and biological interventions.  This list presents a range of possible lake health interventions; however, it is not exhaustive, nor is it ranked in any particular order.  Additional strategies may exist, and new insights could refine or expand these options over time.  Some will not be suitable for Eagle Lake, as factors such as local water chemistry, shallow lake depth, sediment dynamics, and feasibility will determine which options are even considered.
 
Watershed Management
  • Implement buffer zones with native vegetation to reduce nutrient runoff.
  • Work with the WPCRC to promote best agricultural practices to minimize fertilizer and pesticide use.
  • Improve stormwater management to reduce sediment and pollutant inflow
  • Iron-enhanced sand filters, or comparable, in the inlet streams
  • Holding or retention ponds in the inlet streams
  • Study of wetlands to determine if they improve or negatively impact our water quality
In-Lake Nutrient Control
  • Conduct phosphorus inactivation using materials like aluminum sulfate.
  • Apply magnesium chloride treatments to bind excess nutrients.
  • Implement hypolimnetic withdrawal to remove nutrient-rich bottom water.
  • Use dredging to remove accumulated nutrient-laden sediments (full lake, spot dredging, homeowner dredging)
Biological Interventions
  • Introduce biomanipulation by adjusting fish populations to control algae growth.
  • Encourage macrophyte restoration to stabilize sediments and absorb nutrients.
  • Promote floating wetlands to enhance nutrient uptake and improve habitat.
  • Implement bioaugmentation with beneficial bacteria to break down organic matter.
Physical and Mechanical Approaches
  • Use aeration or oxygenation to reduce internal nutrient cycling.
  • Install mechanical mixing systems to prevent stratification and reduce algal blooms.
  • Conduct macrophyte harvesting to remove excess aquatic vegetation and associated nutrients.
  • Apply ultrasonic algae control to disrupt harmful algal blooms.
Community and Policy Initiatives
  • Develop public education programs to encourage responsible land and water use.
  • Demonstrations of eco-friendly shoreland improvements for property owners.
  • Regulations to restrict wake enhanced boating in sensitive lake areas.
  • Implement regulatory measures to limit nutrient inputs from surrounding land use.
  • Study the Wisconsin Phosphorus Trading Program to evaluate feasibility at Eagle Lake.
  • Encourage citizen science initiatives for ongoing monitoring and adaptive management.
Weighing the Options: Finding the Best Path Forward
Deciding on the best lake improvement strategies will require balancing cost-effectiveness, urgency, and long-term sustainability.  Some interventions may offer the greatest return on investment, while others may yield quicker, more noticeable improvements.  Each option must be weighed against its initial implementation cost, ongoing maintenance expenses, and the potential impact on shoreline property owners and lake users.  Additionally, regulatory hurdles—such as permitting requirements—could affect feasibility and delay progress.  Success also depends on achieving broad stakeholder consensus among local organizations, government agencies, farmers, and property owners, ensuring that any chosen approach aligns with community priorities and environmental goals.  Careful consideration of all these factors will be crucial in determining the most effective path forward for Eagle Lake’s restoration.
 
Thank you for visiting CHAPTER 8 of our educational series,
"Ten Things You Should Know About Eagle Lake’s Environmental Challenges."
 
 
 
 
DISCLAIMER:
We have taken great care to ensure the accuracy of the information provided in this educational series, utilizing publicly accessible data, evaluations, and imagery from the internet.  Any statements that may be perceived as opinions are solely those of the Eagle Lake Improvement Association.
Attention Lakeshore Property Owners:
 
 
You can be a part of the solution.  A healthier lake starts with simple steps on your property.  If every property owner makes even minor improvements, the cumulative effect can be substantial.
 
Let's get started!
small changes = BIG IMPACT
 
Shoreland Zoning
Shoreland zoning regulations play a crucial role in minimizing shoreline erosion and enhancing natural water filtration before it reaches the lake.  Property owners should familiarize themselves with these guidelines to support long-term lake health and stability.
 
Trees and native plants along the shoreline play a vital role in preventing erosion.  Their deep root systems stabilize the soil, helping to keep it in place and protecting the lake from sediment buildup.  Removing trees disrupts this natural barrier, increasing the risk of soil washing into the water and contributing to a shallower lake over time.
 
Learn more about shoreland zoning by viewing this short video from the Wisconsin Center For Land Use Education.
 
(Running time 2:56)
 
 
Shoreline Best Practices
Protecting lake health starts at the shoreline, where small, thoughtful changes can significantly reduce erosion, improve water quality, and support a thriving ecosystem.  Here are several simple but impactful ways shoreline property owners can contribute to lake health.
 
Establish a Natural Buffer Zone:   Instead of mowing lawns right up to the shoreline, allow a strip of native vegetation to grow along the water’s edge. This helps filter runoff before it reaches the lake, reducing excess nutrients and pollutants.  It also helps stabilize soil, preventing shoreline erosion.
 
Less mowing, more lake protection!  We all know that fertilizer use around lakes can potentially impact the water quality.  By minimizing turf grass near the water, you can improve shoreline stability, filter runoff, reduce maintenance and fertilizers.  Want to upgrade your shoreline?  Healthy Lakes & Rivers includes five simple and inexpensive best practices on your property that improve habitat and water quality.  Click here to learn more.
 
Manage Stormwater Runoff:  Simple adjustments can reduce the amount of polluted water entering the lake.  Install rain gardens to capture and filter runoff and redirect downspouts toward planted areas rather than straight into the lake.
 
Maintain Shoreline Trees and Shrubs:  Trees and shrubs along the shoreline help to prevent erosion with their deep root systems.  They absorb excess nutrients before they reach the lake.  Keep them healthy through proper pruning, and if they must be removed, consider replacing them with native plantings.
 
Native plants are adapted to local conditions and offer numerous benefits.  Check out these useful references:
 
Dispose of Yard Waste Properly:  Leaves, grass clippings, and other organic debris can introduce excess nutrients into the lake if left near shorelines.  Avoid dumping leaves or branches into the water, and this goes without saying, PLEASE pick up after your pets.
 
Reduce Hard Surfaces Near the Lake:  Driveways, patios, and walkways that don’t absorb water create excess runoff.  Where possible, replace concrete with gravel, mulch, or permeable pavers.  You might also install swales or rain barrels to capture runoff.
Eagle Lake Improvement Association
PO Box 655
Kansasville, WI 53139
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The Eagle Lake Improvement Association is a volunteer based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We are generously supported by nearly 200 households and businesses within the watershed who share our vision for Eagle Lake.