GLRI Beaches Project

In 2010, the Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission was the successful applicant of a grant through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) to conduct sanitary surveys at 19 beaches throughout Northeast Wisconsin to determine factors that result in beach contamination and to identify methods to mitigate those issues.

As part of this project, preliminary and final construction plans ("beach improvement plans") for up to 10 beaches will be prepared aimed at minimizing the stormwater and pollutants from entering these beaches. The designs will be based on the sanitary survey (and other) data collected at these locations.The final construction plans will include recommendatins for designs and processes to reduce the amount of E. coli and other contaminants found in stormwater discharge from entering the beach in order to improve the overall water quality at these beaches.

Wisconsin Counties Association magazine article

Magazine insert article summarizing the beach project. It appeared as an AWRPC insert in the November 2012 Wisconsin Counties Association magazine.

Radio Interview about the Beach Sanitary Survey Project

Conducted on March 7, 2011 in Marinette with Dr. Kleinheinz with UW-Oshkosh by Ken Conners, News Director with Bay Cities Radio.

Radio Interview about Red Arrow Beach in Marinette, WI

Conducted on March 12, 2012 in Marinette with Dr. Kleinheinz with UW-Oshkosh by Ken Conners, News Director with Bay Cities Radio.

YouTube Video on Using Sanitary Surveys to Mitigate Pollution

This video describes the complete beach improvement process from sampling, to redesign recommendations, to mitigation of pollution. This is the process being followed at each of the beaches that are part of this GLRI project.

BEACHES IN THE PROJECT AREA:

• City of Marinette: Red Arrow Park
• City of Algoma: Crescent Beach, and Marina Basin Beach
• City of Kewaunee: Father Marquette Memorial Park, Pioneer Park, and Selner Park
• City of Two Rivers: Neshotah Beach, Neshotah South (just north of river channel), South Beach, and Memorial Drive North
• City of Manitowoc: Red Arrow Beach, Marina Beach (aka Blue Rail), and Silver Creek Beach
• Manitowoc County: Lakefront Beach (at Point Beach State Park), and Hika Bay (in Cleveland)
• City of Sheboygan: Deland Park, Blue Harbor Area Beach, King Park, and Lakeview Park

Click here for a Map of beaches in the project area

POST SUMMER BEACH SAMPLING REPORTS (2011-2012)

The 2011 and 2012 sample season for the 19 beaches included in the Commission's GLRI beach project began on May 31 and extended through the week of August 15th. The beaches were sampled for E. coli three days a week with a biweekly alteration of water sampling and sand sampling.

Water samples were collected at a depth of 12", 24", and 48" at the left, center, and right of the beach. Sand samples were collected upshore, at swashzones, and at 24" of depth at the left, center, and right of the beach. Along with the samples, daily sanitary surveys were conducted three days a week, each week for the 10 weeks of sampling.

The daily sanitary survey records parameters such as wind speed and direction, wave height, current speed and direction, weather conditions, turbidity, physical observations of debris on the beach, algae on the beach and in the water, water fowl, and bather load. The data from the daily sanitary surveys will be correlated with E. coli levels from both sand and water to determine if any of these physical/chemical parameters are influencing E. coli levels at the beach.

Additional sampling was done after or during rain events of greater than one-quarter inch of rain; and investigative samples were taken at stormwater outfalls to determine E. coli levels from urban stormwater runoff at select beaches where stormwater was a potential contaminant.

In addition to the routine sanitary survey, annual sanitary surveys were conducted at each beach. Annual sanitary surveys include taking measurements of the beach, conducting land use and topography assessments, recording physical characteristics of the beach, sand particle analyses, and a sampling data summary from the previous season. Preliminary assessments of each beach were conducted to identify potential sources of contamination, acquire photographs, and develop initial suggestions for mitigation.

Year 1 (2011) Preliminary Beach Assessments

Year 2 (2012) Preliminary Beach Assessments

UPCOMING PUBLIC MEETINGS

NO MEETING CURRENTLY SCHEDULED

The Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission has scheduled public meetings to provide information and answer questions about beach assessments in the cities of Algoma, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Marinette, Sheboygan, and Two Rivers.

The Commission is working with the University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh and the City of Racine to gather sampling data at area beaches and recommend improvements.

The project will provide the coastal communities with the guidance and tools necessary for them to maintain healthy and desirable beaches.

Public Informational Meetings

PAST PRESENTATIONS AND HANDOUTS FROM PUBLIC MEETINGS

October 9, 2012 Public Meeting, Manitowoc

Presentation

Informational Handout

October 10, 2012 Public Meeting, Algoma

Presentation

Informational Handout

October 11, 2012 Public Meeting, Marinette

Presentation

Informational Handout

March 12, 2012 Public Meeting, Marinette

UW-Oshkosh Presentation

Miller Engineers & Scientists Presentation

City of Racine Presentation

March 13, 2012 Public Meeting, Algoma

UW-Oshkosh Presentation

Miller Engineers & Scientists Presentation

City of Racine Presentation

March 21, 2012 Public Meeting, Sheboygan

UW-Oshkosh Presentation

Miller Engineers & Scientists Presentation

City of Racine Presentation

March 22, 2012 Public Meeting, Two Rivers

UW-Oshkosh Presentation

Miller Engineers & Scientists Presentation

City of Racine Presentation

For more information on the beach surveys project, please contact: