Land Management Practices to Improve Water Quality

Land Use Area Within the Watershed Phosphorus Load

Land Use Acres Percent Pounds PercentWater    169 10 8‐23 2Developed 126 8 6‐11 1Wetland/Barren 102 6 9‐27 2Forest    439 27 20‐35 5Mixed Agriculture 53 3 14‐38 4Row Crop Agriculture 750 46 334‐669 87

Land Use Area Within the Watershed

Phosphorus Load

Land Use Acres Percent Pounds PercentWater    53 4 4‐11 2Developed 39 3 2‐4 1Wetland/Barren 83 7 7‐22 3Forest    460 38 21‐37 8Mixed Agriculture 148 12 40‐106 16Row Crop Agriculture 407 34 182‐363 72Quarry 5 0 0.2‐0.4 0

Land Use Area Within the Watershed

Phosphorus Load

Land Use Acres Percent Pounds PercentWater    46 15 10‐29 4Developed 35 11 5‐10 2Wetland/Barren 7 2 6‐18 2Forest    210 69 25‐34 13Mixed Agriculture 2 1 30‐76 11Row Crop Agriculture 6 2 180‐361 68

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

Forest Residential Agriculture

lbs. P/sq. mi./yr.

Phosphorus Loading from Land Uses

Panuska and Lillie, 1995

Land management matters!

Reduce runoff/increase infiltration

Compaction of soil, pavement, buildings, other hard surfaces increase runoff and decrease infiltration to groundwater. More water to the lake over the short term. Can increase pollution in runoff. Decreases groundwater storage (feeds lake during periods of 

low/no precipitation).

Minimize hard surfaces Remove unneeded hard surfaces (extra parking spots) Direct runoff from hard surfaces away from the lake

Reduce runoff and increase infiltration

http://www.houselogic.com/photos/landscaping‐gardening/cool‐driveways‐are‐smart‐approach/slide/home‐grown/

Meander pathway to the lake

Rain barrels Rain gardens, retention basins

Reduce runoff and increase infiltration

Swales

Important habitat Filter sediments and contaminants Store water and reduce flooding

Shoreland vegetation helps by providing habitat and may improve water quality

Restore and protect shoreland  vegetation  Should extend at least 35 feet from the lake 

Fertilizers containing phosphorus should not be used. 

Don’t use fertilizer! Use native vegetation that doesn’t 

require additional fertilizer. If you feel you might need to fertilize, 

test the soil first! 

Septic systems should be sited as far from waterways as possible or tertiary treatment systems should be included on the systems.  

Over time phosphorus will move from a septic system drainfield to groundwater which in turn discharges to surface water.  

Traditional septic systems do not remove phosphorus  additional treatment chambers can be added to a septic 

system to remove phosphorus.  

Select household products that don’t contain phosphorus (and other harmful chemicals).

Manure Management Fertilizer Budgets Erosion Control Runoff Management Crop Rotation Cover Crops Rotational Grazing Plans and Fencing Water Sources to keep livestock out of lakes/streams

Wetland Restoration Shoreland Management

Agricultural Best Management Practices

Land Use Tools

Land Use ToolsShoreline ordinance

To protect clean water, fish and wildlife habitat, and natural scenic beauty

County zoning ordinance For the purpose of promoting the public health,

safety and general welfare

Subdivision ordinances To guide the future growth and development in

order to provide for adequate light, air, water supply and privacy; to secure safety from fire, flood and other danger; to prevent overcrowding and undue congestion; to protect property values; to provide services; to prevent pollution

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NEW HOPE

AMHERST

Zoning ordinances containmaps and text that regulate theuses of land and dimensions andplacement of structures withinvarious zoning districts

Build Out – Scenario 1Build Out – Scenario 2Current Scenario 1 Scenario 2

# of Dwelling Units 193 406 234Developed Land (acres)

318 928 502

Percent Developed Land in Watershed

5% 14% 8%

Lilly Lake

Build Out – Scenario 1Build Out – Scenario 2

Current Scenario 1 Scenario 2# of Dwelling Units 193 406 234Developed Land (acres)

15 73 34

Percent Developed Land in Watershed

4% 19% 9%

Lost Lake

Build Out – Scenario 1Build Out – Scenario 2

Mission Lake

Current Scenario 1 Scenario 2# of Dwelling Units 21 240 51Developed Land (acres)

77 314 135

Percent Developed Land in Watershed

4% 17% 7%

Overlay Zoning Creates a special zoning district,

placed over an existing base zone(s), which identifies special provisions in addition to those in the underlying base zone.

Lake Management purposes: Preserve critical habitat areas Protect aesthetics of riparian

environment

Land Use Tools

“Conservation” Design A type of development in which the

underlying zoning and subdivision ordinances are modified to allow houses to be grouped together on part of the site while permanently protecting the remainder of the site from development.

“Open Space Option”

Land Use Tools

“Standard” Design

Land Use Tools

“Conservation” Design

Provides areas for recreational use or trails

Stormwater management Groundwater recharge

Protect Woodlands, Steep Slopes Water corridors Critical Habitats

Land Use Tools

Purchase of Development Rights (PDR)

Incentive based Voluntary program Intent: permanently protects productive,

sensitive, or aesthetic landscapes Land owner retains private ownership and

management.

Conservation Easement Incentive-based Voluntary legal agreement Restricts development, management or use of

the land in the property in order to protect a resource.

Common easement holders include NCCT, NECT and NRCS

Land Purchase

Land Use Tools

Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program Funds to preserve valuable natural areas and wildlife

habitat, protect water quality and fisheries, and expand opportunities for outdoor recreation

Easement or purchase

Wisconsin Dept. Natural Resources Lake Protection Grant Program Funds to preserve valuable natural areas and wildlife

habitat adjacent to a lake. Easement or purchase Funds improvement of land management practices.

Funding Assistance

Minimizing impacts from development and agriculture

Protection of natural land

• Reduce runoff/increase infiltration• Limit use of fertilizers• Maintain septic systems, site them appropriately• Support agricultural BMPs

• Zoning & development ordinances (shorelands, subdivisions, overlay, etc.)

• Conservation design• Purchase of development rights• Conservation easements• Land purchase

Summary