An Overview of Our Lake and Watershed Management Solutions

RLS Lake Programs

Which Lake Program Is Best for Your Lake Community?

RLS Lake Programs

Which Lake Program Is Best for Your Lake Community?

LakeAdvise®

Choose LakeAdvise® if the following characteristics apply to your group:

  1. There are a very limited budget and minimum funding (i.e. no assessment district).
  2. There is only a need for advice on one aspect of lake management (i.e. milfoil control).
  3. There is a desire for a reconnaissance overview of your lake and basic recommendations.
  4. There is a short time frame in which you need any of the information above.
  5. There is a lake issue that you are unsure about and need to know the next logical steps.

LakeManage®

Choose LakeManage® if the following characteristics apply to your group:

  1. The lake has invasive species as the only lake issue and a desire to manage/eradicate them.
  2. The lake has issues that would likely require continuous management.
  3. The lake is large and the extent of invasives or other water quality impairments is unknown.
  4. There are active lake officers that can work with our scientists for the best outcome in educating the residents on proper best management practices and lake stewardship.

LakeRestore®

Choose LakeRestore® if the following characteristics apply to your group:

  1. The lake is experiencing severe water quality degradation (i.e. abundant fish kills, turbid water, putrid water, excessive algae, and/or aquatic plant growth).
  2. The lake has suddenly shifted from a commonly observed state to one of the dramatic and unfavorable changes.
  3. The lake seems to be out of balance and current management methods are not working.
  4. There is adequate funding to address all of the aforementioned issues and implement solutions or RLS may assist you with obtaining that funding.
  5. There is a need for long-term improvement of the lake for future generations.

LakeEngage®

Choose LakeEngage® if the following characteristics apply to your group:

  1. There is a highly motivated association or board that desires an intensive learning program that teaches sustainable lake practices.
  2. The lake community is heavily involved in the current lake management practices.
  3. The lake community has a desire to manage their lake with autonomy in the future without the assistance of a lake expert.
  4. Note: Outside expertise may still be needed, but RLS has lake education specialists that can help your community be more empowered and in control of lake management practice.
  5. The lake community has leaders that are willing to meet multiple times a year for learning and outreach opportunities.

LakeSustain™

Choose LakeSustain if:

1. Your lake association board desires to pursue a comprehensive lake management course taught by RLS experts.

2. Your Board is comprised of individuals that desire a college-level educational experience

3. Your Board desires to ultimately take over complete surveying of the lake as well as long-term management

4. Your Board may want to take additional lake educational modules to learn more about their specific lake

Watershed Management Programs

  • Assessment of Watershed Size and Impacts on Surface Waters
  • Delineation of Watersheds by Land Use
  • Impacts of Land Use on Lake and Surface Water Quality
  • Sustainable Programs for Reduction of Non-Point Source Pollution
  • Point-Source Pollution Reduction Plans to Meet Regulatory TMDLs
  • Development of Best Management Practice Strategies for Land Uses
  • Utilization of Modernized GIS and GPS Data for Watershed Models

Lake Management and Consulting

  • Lake Water Quality Monitoring and Assessments
  • Lake Sediment Reduction Studies and Management Programs
  • Aquatic Vegetation Assessments and Reduction Programs
  • Rare and Endangered Species Assessments and Preservation Programs
  • Biological Control Research and Implementation Programs
  • Algal Analyses and Toxic Algal Bloom Reduction Plans
  • Lake Fishery Assessment Studies and Habitat Analyses
  • Plankton Analyses and Lake Health Programs
  • Shoreline Buffer Implementation and Soft Shoreline Programs
  • Aquatic Toxin and Pollutant Modeling and Programs for Reduction
  • Independent oversight of lake management activities
  • Expert Witness Testimony
  • Lake fishery stocking recommendations
  • Dredging feasibility studies
  • Lake improvement feasibility studies
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Community Engagement and Education

  • Education of Novice Lakefront Owners on Ecology of Their Lake
  • Educational Workshops With Interactive Lake Specimens
  • Training on Inland Lake Sciences and Issues
  • Community Engagement and Participatory Modeling