Rivers North
New Construction & Remodeling
Hand Carved Architectural Woodwork
Timber Framed Porches
Lake Access Stairways
Decks and Garages
Fireplaces
Custom Crafted Wood Products
Lakeshore Restoration and Runoff Control
Cabin Rental
Lakeshore Restoration and Water Runoff Management
Our lakes and rivers are resources that are easily taken for granted. The fact is that in many areas, these waters are truly threatened. Threatened with pollution that is resulting in a detrimental change of their water quality. Not only does it affect water appearance and appeal, it also impacts the Ecosystem. Directly impacting plants and animals living in and around that body of water.
One of the biggest culprits is uncontrolled runoff flowing into our lakes. Soil deposited in the runoff water carries nutrients including phosphorus, the nutrient that triggers algae blooms in most Wisconsin lakes. Sediments bury fish and wildlife habitat such as walleye spawning beds. Sediment accumulation may also lead to dense aquatic plant growth.* Given many of the past practices of humans, we are largely to blame for these negative changes. We can also affect a positive change.
The Wisconsin DNR and the Burnett County Land and Water Conservation Department are actively supporting and sponsoring programs to encourage and assist property owners on lakes to make changes and improvements to their shorelines and lands adjacent to the water lines. They may even help pay for it! We work closely with these agencies and you, the property owner. All together, we can correct the problems of erosion and control runoff. Ultimately, we can improve the quality of your lake.
The overall goal is to arrest runoff into our lakes. There are various measures or combinations of measures available to accomplish this. To find out what methods are best suited for your property and situation, a site evaluation is the first step by the department representative. Then a plan is created. The plan may involve "Buffer Zone Restoration" or "Runoff Control" through construction of water infiltration sites or both. What is a Shoreline Buffer? Shoreline buffer is a zone of native vegetation that extends from the ordinary high water mark inland. A buffer restoration seeks to restore functions originally provided by the natural vegetation resulting in a natural filter.*
Buffer Zone Restoration:
This is a process of replanting an area from the ordinary high water mark (OHWM) inland a minimum of 35 feet over the width of the property but leaving a 30' wide access corridor through the buffer zone. The planting is generally comprised of native plants of a type suitable for the soil and moisture conditions of the site. The plan is designed by an agent from the Land and Water Conservation Department. At Rivers North we perform the work of preparing the site and the planting of your buffer zone in accordance with the plan as designed by the L.W.C.D.
Below is one of our Buffer Zone Restorations
Before Restoration After Restoration
Runoff Control:
The objective of Runoff Control is to capture runoff water before it can flow into the lake carrying pollutants with it. Berms may be constructed to divert runoff water to an area away from the lake or simply capture the water giving it time to infiltrate the ground thus keeping it out of the lake. Sometimes rock pits or subsurface infiltration pits may be constructed. Even rain barrels could be a choice when dealing with certain rain gutter situations. There are any number of methods or a combination of methods to resolve a problem. At Rivers North, we perform the job of constructing berms, infiltration pits (above and below grade), plantings, rain gardens and other measures to correct the situation.
Here are some of our projects and the methods we used to capture runoff water.
Rain Garden is an attractive
method of collecting water.
Flowers flourish in the center
of a grass covered burm.
Infiltration pits are useful for
capturing water from surface
runoff or water directed
to it from down spouts.
Subsurface infiltration pits may be the method of choice when
space is limited. Piping from a down spout is connected to a
perforated pipe system with a clean-out. The pit is back filled
and the site restored.
Rain Garden Infiltration Pit Subsurface Infiltration Finished Grade over
Pit (Plumbing) Subsurface Infiltration Pit
To Get Started:
Contact us and we can guide you through the process. We will assist you in making the contact with the appropriate county agency and work directly with you and the L.W.C.D. designer. I will provide you with an accurate quote for your project and see the project through to the end handling all phases of construction/planting. We will do all of the work for you. What's more, your project may qualify for reimbursement of the cost. Depending on your project and location, you could receive 50%-70% reimbursement! That is a cash payment paid directly to you! This is an opportunity for you to improve your property, protect your precious lake and do so at a very reasonable cost. Please contact me to talk about your project. You will find it to be a pleasant experience.
* Portions of text reproduced from "Controlling Runoff and Erosion for Your Waterfront Property"
with permission from the Burnett County Land and Water Conservation Department
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources-Runoff Information
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/runoff/
Burnett County-Controlling Runoff and Erosion for Your Waterfront Property
http://www.burnettcounty.com/DocumentView.aspx?DID=119&DL=1
Burnett County-Shoreline Buffer Restoration
http://www.burnettcounty.com/DocumentView.aspx?DID=121&DL=1
Burnett County-Restoration Stories Booklet
http://www.burnettcounty.com/DocumentView.aspx?DID=120
Polk County Land and Water Resources
http://www.co.polk.wi.us/landwater/
Rivers North
Webster, WI
www.rivers-north.com
Email: chuck@rivers-north.com
715-733-0029
You Could Get Up
to 70%
of Your Project
Paid For!!
Grants are available for qualifying projects. Contact us now to learn how to apply!
