Keeping Elkhart Blue: The Shoreland Road Wetland Restoration Update 

Remember when we first reported on the elevated phosphorus levels near Shoreland Road? We have some incredibly exciting news to share!

Thanks to the hard work of our dedicated volunteers, local landowners, and critical funding from the Wisconsin DNR and Sheboygan County, the Shoreland Road wetland restoration is officially underway. We've already cleared out invasive buckthorn and reed canary grass, and successfully dredged 1,650 cubic yards of phosphorus-rich sediment.

This autumn, we'll begin planting native marsh and meadow plants to act as a natural filtration system—soaking up runoff and protecting our lake's clarity, oxygen levels, and fish populations for generations to come.

Did you know? 1,650 cubic yards of dredged sediment is roughly equivalent to 165 dump truck loads of phosphorus-rich mud removed from our watershed!

What's Next?

• Autumn Planting: Introducing native deep-rooted plants to naturally filter incoming runoff.

• Ongoing Monitoring: Keeping a close watch on invasive species and tracking incoming phosphorus levels.

• Future Sites: Scouting new restoration projects across the watershed to keep our waters pristine.

Our lake thrives because our community steps up. To see the dramatic "before and after" details of the restoration, find out how our new native plants will protect the watershed, and learn how you can support our next steps, read the full update.

👉 [Read the Full Restoration Article Here]

Protecting Elkhart Lake: Our Legacy, Our Responsibility

Elkhart Lake is widely recognized as one of Wisconsin’s clearest and most beautiful treasures. But keeping it that way requires ongoing vigilance against the growing threat of aquatic invasive species.

This summer, ELIA has partnered with Sheboygan County to provide 200 hours of professional boat inspection services and support the DNR’s Clean Boats, Clean Waters program. Discover how our new boat washing system and a few simple, legal steps can preserve our pristine waters for generations to come.

👉 [Click here to read the full article and learn how you can help!]

2026 Annual Meeting Highlights

On June 12th, members of the Elkhart Lake Improvement Association (ELIA) gathered at the Osthoff Resort and Conference Center for our Annual Membership Meeting. Board President John Schott welcomed attendees to review our progress, celebrate community milestones, and look ahead to future initiatives.

Key Takeaways & Updates:

• Association Business: The 2025 minutes and current financial reports were reviewed and approved. We welcomed new board nominee John Rathman and extended our sincere gratitude to our retiring board members, John Gunther and Nancy Hanlon, for their dedicated service.

• Water Quality & Health: 2025 testing results and CLMN historical data continues to show excellent water quality.  Howerver, early summer phosphorus concentrations have generally increased since 2012.  Therefore, managing nutrient inputs from the watershed remains one of the most important strategies for protecting Elkhart Lake's water quality.

• Wetland Restoration: Our restoration projects have successfully removed significant amounts of invasive plants and 1,650 cubic yards of phosphorus loaded sediment. Native plants and seeding is officially scheduled for Fall 2026, backed by grants from the WDNR and Sheboygan County.

• Boating Safety: A friendly reminder to review local boating rules—including speed limits, wake restrictions, proper buoy management, and the no Sunday motorboat operation rule. A Sheboygan County Recreation Pass remains required for ramp access.

• Community & Thanks: We extend a huge thank you to the Osthoff owners for their generous donations toward the Healthy Lakes Project, as well as all our partners who support our watershed health.

🔗 View the Full Presentation

Want to dive deeper into the data, financial charts, and project timelines? Click here to download the full 2026 Annual Meeting Presentation Presentation (PDF)

Summer Invasive Species Watch

Whether you’re a swimmer or a boater, casting a line or catching a sunset on your paddleboard, we can all contribute to keeping our lakes healthy this summer! One of the most important ways to do so is by learning to identify and help manage invasive species.

"Click Here" to learn about invasive species.