TIPS FOR LAKEFRONT HOMEOWNERS
Clean lakes need healthy lakeshores and
healthy lakeshores need you!
• Grow native plants and trees along the lakeshore.
• Mow tall and fertilize less to keep out pollutants.
• Keep fallen trees and logs in shallow waters - fish need them!
• Plant a rain garden to absorb rain water.
• On driveways and paths, use surfaces that allow rain to soak in.
Ranting native plants, trees, and flowers along the water's edge:
• Protects lakes from pollution
• Provides habitat for bass, trout, and other fish
• Helps property values
• Prevents erosion
• Reduces your carbon footprint
• Increases aesthetic beauty
For additional resources on owning, maintaining, and
protecting your lakefront property visit:
www.epa.gov/owow/lakes
http://water.epa.gov/type/lakes/shoreland.cfm.
http://www.uwsp.edu/uwexlakes/
EPA840-F-IO-003
November 2010
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds
1200 PennsylvaniaAve, NW Mail Code 450IT
Washington, DC 20460
www.epa.gov/owow
This publication is based on a publication prepared by University ofWisconsin Extension
"Choosing the Right Waterfront Property" 2009. Written by Lynn Markham, Derek Kavanaugh
and Amy Kelsey and adapted from "Life on the Edge—Owning Waterfront Property" by Michael
Dresen and Robert Korth. The document was modified for national distribution with
permission from UW Extension
www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/water/wm/dsfm/shore/documents/ChoosingtheWate rfrontProperty.pdf
LEARNING
ABOUT
LAKEFRONT
PROPERTY
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LEARNING
ABOUT
LAKEFRONT
PROPERTY
Scenic lakes have lured families to their shores for generations to fish,
boat and swim. Once at the lake, people discover more - like the fun
of seeing a line of ducklings paddling toward the shore or the sight of a
beautiful blue heron wading through shallow waters.
When you buy lakefront property, you assume part of the responsibility
of caring for the lake. Your actions on the land as well as in the water
affect the health of the lake and everyone's enjoyment of it.
If you are thinking about buying lakefront property, this guide is meant for
you. A little time invested in learning about lakefront living will pay back
sizable dividends in matching your expectations to reality.
Lakefront development can degrade water quality. Manicured lawns require
chemicals that can wash into the lake. Native grosses, trees, and shrubs sta-
blize the shoreline, provide a buffer against pollution, and improve habitat.
The quality of a lake is ultimately a reflection of how we take care of
its watershed. Healthy watersheds make healthy lakes and higher
property values.
Natural shorelines full of trees and native plants form the foundation of
a healthy lake. As a lakefront property owner, you can help protect the
water quality and natural beauty of your lake for yourself, your neighbors,
and future generations.
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THE SHORELINE
What's the shoreline like? A natural shoreline generally includes native
vegetation that provides shelter, shade, and food for fish and wildlife.
Dead tree limbs and branches in the shallow water serve as resting and
feeding platforms for ducks and turtles. Aquatic plants provide fish habi-
tat and keep lakes healthy. A natural shoreline also filters out pollutants
washing from the land and protects the water's edge against erosion.
Unfortunately, lakefront property owners often artificially harden their
shorelines with bulkheads or riprap, edge them with lawns and paved
areas, or add artificial beaches and docks. Shoreline alterations such as
these damage or destroy essential
habitat, weaken the lake ecosystem,
allow pollutants such as pesticides and
fertilizers to wash into the lake, and lead
to a loss offish and wildlife. A recent
EPA study (www.epa.gov/lakessurvey)
shows that the biological health of a lake
depends on the health of its shoreline.
Look for a lake shoreline that matches
your desires. Don't expect to change it
into something it's not.
AQUATIC PLANTS
Aquatic plants are at the root of healthy
lakes. Fish and other aquatic life depend
on aquatic plants for habitat, food and
spawning areas. Native aquatic plant
communities also keep undesirable invasive plants in check. Some types
of lakes will naturally have a lot of aquatic plants and algae.
When buying lakefront property,
the quality of the lake and its
shoreline are as important as the
house.
As lakes become enriched with nutrients, aquatic plant and algae growth
tends to increase. What does the lake look like in late summer, a prime
time for aquatic plant growth and algae blooms? Are there so many
aquatic plants that it might be hard to boat or swim? Easy boat access
to the main body of the lake in the spring may become difficult by July.
Have blue-green algae blooms, mats, or scum been detected? These algae
sometimes release toxins that cause eye and skin irritation or gastroin-
testinal problems. Is the condition of the lake acceptable to you for your
intended uses?
INVASIVE SPECIES
Are invasive species present in the lake? If so, do they impede swimming
and boating? Is there a control program in place? Invasive plants and ani-
mals such as Eurasian water-milfoil and zebra mussels are almost impos-
sible to get rid of once they are established.They can also have a negative
effect on lakefront property values. Visitwww.epa.gov/greatlakes/invasive/
for more information.
WILDLIFE
The water's edge attracts a variety of birds and wildlife. What types of
wildlife are commonly seen at your lake? Open expanses of lawn may at-
tract nuisance populations of geese; shorelines with native trees, shrubs,
and plants are less likely to attract them.
Can you live with turtles, snakes, ducks,
beavers or bears nearby, or with frogs
serenading you in the night? If not, perhaps
lakefront property is not for you!
RECREATION
SWIMMING
Do you plan to swim in your lake? If so,'
keep in mind that some shoreline areas may be too shallow,
mucky, or weedy for swimming. Your lake may also be closed to
swimming for part or all of the year due to high levels of bacte-
ria, algal toxins, or other health concerns. Be sure you know if
your lake is swimmable before you buy.
BOATING AND WATERSKIING
What is the boat traffic like on a summer weekend? Could boat traffic
make it unsafe to swim in the lake? Are there any state or local ordinanc-
es regulating watercraft speed or time-of-day use? Does the lake have
public access? Will you be able to launch your boat? Consider these
types of questions if you intend to boat on your lake.
FISHING
If you plan to fish at your lake, it is important to know if fishing or fish
consumption is restricted in any way. Many states issue fishing
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W£LCOMf TO
•BOOT LAKE
NO WAKE
restrictions due to mercury or other
pollutants in fish tissue. Be aware of any
fishing advisories or prohibitions that
relate to your lake. If fishing is permitted,
certain seasonal factors such as winter
kill or summer algae blooms can have
serious impacts on the fish. What species
offish live in the lake? Is this what you
want to catch? Learn more at
www.epa.gov/fishadvisories.
ADDITIONAL
CONSIDERATIONS
Many factors influence property value.
Boat landings, parks, restaurants, camp-
grounds, resorts, and other businesses
can result in traffic, people, noise and
litter.
Is there a comprehensive plan or land
use plan to guide future development on
the lake? What land uses (commercial,
industrial, residential) are allowed under
the current zoning ordinance? Are there
large undeveloped parcels of land that
may be developed at a high density in the
future, changing the look of the shoreline
and the number of people on the lake?
The local planning and zoning office can
answer these questions.
Is there an active lake or watershed asso-
ciation? What kind of projects have they
completed, and what are they currently
working on? Would you be interested in
joining such a group to work to protect
the quality of your lake or watershed?
Search for a group near you at
www.epa.gov/adopt.
LEARNING ABOUTTHE LAKE
Learning about the lake is one of the most important aspects of buying
lakefront property. Before you decide where to buy, it is a good idea to
spend some time in the area and gather some information.
Talk with current landowners, people at the bait shop or marina, county
conservationists and lake specialists with your state natural resources
agency. If there is a local lake association, talk to some of their members,
or better yet attend one of their meetings. In choosing a location, it is
important to look not only at charac-
teristics and health of the lake, but also
of the surrounding community.
A recent study of more than
1,000 lakefront properties in
Minnesota found that when
all other factors were equal,
properties on lakes with clearer
water commanded significantly
higher property prices.
PHYSICAL
CHARACTERISTICS
July and August are the "dog days" of
summer when nutrients and sunlight
stimulate plant growth to their fullest.
These months are a good time to view
the lake when its quality issues could be most apparent. But remember
that every year is different. Ask other residents, lake specialists or the
county conservationist about the condition of the lake.
FLOODPLAINS & WETLANDS
The lake's watershed— the land
area that drains to the lake- often
includes floodplains and wetlands.
Both areas are usually subject to
limits on construction and land
alteration designed to protect
them and mitigate the impacts of
flooding. To find out where the
floodplains and wetlands are, start
by contacting your county
planning and zoning office.
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