Burlington

Story Behind the Project:

New home owners to the property, our clients wanted to eliminate the cattails and create some usable shoreline. Because DEL is certified and licensed with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, we are on a list of contractors the WI Department of Natural Resources refers to property owners who are looking for environmentally regulated services. The DNR directly referred us to our clients who were so delighted in their experience working with us, they expanded the project ten-fold!

This project went from simple cattail management to a full scale shoreline restoration. DEL acquired the proper permits from the DNR and performed cattail management in the late summer and fall. In the late fall, we performed the larger component of the shoreline restoration. Using some heavy equipment, we tore out the old “rip-rap” which was a combination of railroad ties (which probably contained creosote – a toxic chemical), concrete and small stones, and a series of layered rubber liners. All in different areas of the shoreline. This DIY mess was replaced with a high-quality geo-textile boulder and 40 tons of boulders! We also removed 90 tons of sediment to create a cleaner, swimming area for our clients and their kids and grandkids. Final touches were to improve the grading throughout the yard and install grass seed. Stay tuned for some better completed project pictures next season when the grass seed grows in and it isn’t light by five o’clock.

Type: Shoreline Renovation

Project Completed: 2025

Aspects: Invasive Species Management, Cattail Management, Shoreline Restoration, Rip-Rap, Boulders, Grass Seed

Any Specific Challenges: DNR permit required

Price Range: $15k-30k+

Materials Used: Shoreline => Field Stone Granite Boulders

A Word from the Client: “Thank you for all your effort with this. It looks great! Can’t wait to use our shoreline next year!”