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LAKE, AIS AND SHORELAND SERVICES
Golden Sands RC&D can provide the following lake and shorland services through hire as a contracted service. If you have any questions regarding any of the services or you are interested in hiring Golden Sands RC&D, please visit the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) webpage to contact us.
POINT INTERCEPT (PI) AQUATIC PLANT SURVEYS
Point Intercept (PI) surveys capture current baseline data about aquatic plant communities within a waterbody. This data can be used to show stability or changes to those plant communities over time.
PI surveys are an integral part of Aquatic Plant Management (APM) Plans for a waterbody and thus a key component to Lake Management Plans (LMP). PI surveys need to be updated every five years for management plans to be current.
Another important use for PI surveys is to monitor native plant communities before and after herbicidal treatments to invasives species such as Eurasian watermilfoil. Some lakes will use PI surveys to monitor the health of the native plants for several years after a treatment.
Contact us to schedule a PI survey for your lake or to learn more.
To view PI surveys completed in previous years, click here.
Lake, River, and Wetland Surveys
Surveying a lake, river or wetland for invasive species can help identify any new invasives that were not known to be present in the area or can help redefine the population of an existing species. Early detection surveys are specifically designed for monitoring a lake or river for new introductions of invasive species, both plants and animals. A meander survey is meant to map a known, existing population of invasive plants in a lake; this survey method also gives a quick insight into the health of the lake. Wetland surveys are done to detect and map invasive species such as phragmites, purple loosestrife and buckthorn. All surveys include a summary report and maps.
Our experienced staff can survey your lakes, rivers and wetlands for invasive species. Need a native plant survey done on your lake? We do that too! See PI surveys for more information.
Presentations
We provide educational presentations for all age levels, educating people on a variety of aquatic topics (see the list below). Our presentations range from the general overview to the specifics, we’ll tailor our presentation to meet your needs, whether it be for your 5th grade science class or your waterfowl association.
If you’re looking for a topic not listed, ask us and we may be able to work with you. If interested in scheduling a presentation or have more questions contact us.
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Invasive species
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Native plants & ecology
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Groundwater
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Lake management planning
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Native wetland plants
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Bio-control
Aquatic Invasive Species Removal
When dealing with a small, localized population, hand-pulling is an effective removal method for some of our aquatic invasive species like Eurasian watermilfoil, curly-leaf pondweed, or flowering rush. This method of manual removal ensures that the native plant community remains intact, therefore maintaining a balanced aquatic ecosystem.
Work with our trained snorkel teams for populations in 6 feet of water or shallower, or our SCUBA teams for deeper populations.
Want to learn more about Eurasian watermilfoil removal? Click the button below.
Shoreland Inventories
Shoreland inventories identify key characteristics of shoreline health based on natural or man-made characteristics. Just like in a lake or in a forest the plants in a community express the health of the landscape. This inventory outlines the areas along the lake that are natural and preserved as well as the areas that are developed or have erosion concerns.
The information presented in a shoreland inventory is beneficial to include in a lake management plan as it outlines areas that may have excessive runoff and if addressed could lead to decreased external nutrient loading to the lake. It could also highlight areas to be managed for erosion or properties that would benefit from a Healthy Lakes Initiative.
More information on shorelines is available by clicking the buttons below.
Lake Management Guidance
Management plans, whether they are written for a watershed, lake or aquatic plant management, are vital to the successful management and future health of a lake. They create a clear picture of what needs to be protected and what would benefit from management, creating a step-by-step guide.
Interested in grants to help pay for management efforts? These plans are required if an organization is interested in pursuing a Wisconsin DNR Surface Water Grant to help fund management efforts.
Need to update your lake management plan or need a new aquatic plant management plan? Our knowledgeable staff can work with you to write a plan to meet your needs. Not sure if you need a full plan, an update to an existing plan or unsure of your options? Let us help you.
Grant Writing Assistance
Grants can help fund lake and river management, invasive species control, and writing management plans. However, grants can be complicated and confusing. Our staff has experience writing a variety of grants, including Wisconsin’s DNR Surface Water Grants. If you are interested in going after grant funds but are looking for professional assistance contact us to help.