(BEAVER DAM) People visiting two Beaver Dam parks may soon notice more than just a nicer view — they’ll see a new effort to keep the lake cleaner.
Crews and volunteers are planting native wildflowers and grasses at Derge Park and Bayside Park, part of a project designed to protect the shoreline and reduce pollution flowing into Beaver Dam Lake.
Bill Foley, chairman of the Beaver Dam Lake District, says the idea is to use plants with deep roots to do what turf grass can’t.
Those roots help hold soil in place and soak up stormwater before it carries sediment and nutrients into the lake — two major contributors to algae growth.
“This allows the water to seep into the ground instead of running straight into the lake,” Foley said.
The project brings together several local partners, including the city and town of Beaver Dam, Dodge County, and volunteers from Generac. Students from Beaver Dam’s FFA program are also helping plant the plots after the district picks up plants from a state sale in Horicon.
The plant mix is designed in layers, starting with hardy grasses around the edges and moving toward colorful wildflowers like bee balm, columbine, and milkweed closer to the shoreline.
Foley says this is just the beginning. The district plans to track which plants do best and possibly expand the effort to other areas.
Beyond improving water quality, the plantings are expected to make the parks more attractive — and give people a closer look at how small changes along the shore can make a big difference in the lake.
