Sand Installation - The not so simple, but not impossible addition to your WI or MN shoreline.
Can you install sand on your MN or WI lakeshore?
We have been learning all about the ins and outs of what it takes to have an artificial sandy beach or lakeshore up here in the north. Here we will quickly break down the basics of lakeshore sand installation for the states of Wisconsin and Minnesota, as well as include direct links to each state’s information on these topics at the very end of this article so you can find specific details depending on your area of residence.
Fast Answer - for Minnesota Residents - If you’re a Minnesota resident, you can apply for a ‘Beach Blanket’ permit to consider having sand installed on your waterfront, with good chances of approval if the project is well prepared.
Fast Answer - for Wisconsin Residents - WI DNR currently does allow residents to apply for a permit for sand/fill installation below the OHWM. However, in many regions (especially in northern WI) DNR teams have [commonly] strictly prohibited sand installation, while most other areas throughout the state also do not immediately permit any sand on lakefront property, at least not without a thorough application process.
So, if you're one of our awesome Minnesota customers, you may be in luck if you’ve been wanting to upgrade your shoreline to add a nice sandy area for the family to relax by and for the kids to play in, we just recommend you do things the right way from the start to avoid headaches down the road. If you’re a homegrown Wisconsinite like us, it may be more difficult to install sand or you may be out of luck. Your best bet is to do some deep diving to learn whether you are under the ideal conditions to install sand, and if it will be worth it for you to go through the processes involved.
Simply put - It is not illegal to install sand on your shoreline in either the state of Wisconsin or Minnesota, but choosing to do so without a special permit from the correct agency may cause you to be subject to hefty fines and an order for removal of the sand. This goes for almost any waterfront project within zoning setbacks or below the OHWM (Ordinary High Water Mark).
Both states do allow you to regularly maintain your immediate beach area that already exists, whether it was artificial or not when you acquired the property. The most common recommendation from state departments for maintaining beach areas is by hand raking and weeding only.
The complex parts of our lakeshore beaches - If you drive around pretty much any town on a lake that accommodates to more than a few thousand people in Wisconsin or Minnesota, you’ll notice that almost every one of them has a sandy beach of its own, whether that be on a lake, riverside, or even some large ponds. While some of these sandy beaches may be natural, many of them are artificial. And if you’re curious like us, you always wonder why things are the way they are and how they got to be, so we finally took the time to ask local WI DNR reps themselves to learn more. Here is what we gathered:
Why do WI municipal beaches exist if they are not commonly permitted residentially? - We learned that is largely due to many local village ordinances differing from county ordinances, also noting that most county ordinances themselves tend to follow state guidelines which is why you see county regulation departments follow suit and coordinate so closely with state legislation. In addition to this, some existing beaches that are artificial may be grandfathered in under new regulations that require shorelines to be maintained in acceptable and stable conditions, though this is not as common.
Why is sand not typically not permitted in many areas on our WI shorelines? According to WI DNR representatives, sand is not usually allowed near or below the OHWM as it can disrupt fish spawning and other natural wildlife spawning cycles, becoming a larger issue to the ecosystem. According to most (WI) zoning ordinances, no fill of any kind is typically permitted within 35 to 50 feet of a body of water, unless designated for a specific approvable use.
Elevation Change : An important thing to note when considering purchasing a home with a beach area is the changing water levels. On most lakes, water levels tend to rise and fall throughout different seasons of the year. This is a key factor to keep in mind as you may see a small beach now, which could expand within a month as water levels drop, or disappear as water levels increase in the rainy seasons! Folks new to riverside living and nearby to lock and dam systems need to be extra keen to changes as well, as things can change overnight!
Most importantly, we recommend that all sand is installed with consideration to details such as using the right sand, materials, and maintenance to prevent sand displacement, ultimately leaving a long lasting place to rest and relax for years ahead.
Lastly, we just want to offer some “WaterfrontRefresh advice” when it comes to beach alterations. - We always say that there are four kinds of people who live on the lake. 1 - The people who like swim and get their toes in the water and sand. 2 - The people who like to fish and do recreational water sports. 3 - The people who like to just relax and cruise on the water. 4 - The people who just like to be by the water for the view and tranquility of the lake. Each of these kinds of residents and visitors are on every lake , and each can have different values of what makes lake life worthwhile and memorable for them and their families. We highly encourage everyone out there to avoid being less than kind neighbors to those around them with differing ideas of how to enjoy the lake. Instead lets maintain the real American attitude of uplifting one another, being considerate and helpful to neighbors rather than discouraging, always looking out for eachothers safety while making the neighborhood and waterfront a better place.
Thanks for stopping by on WaterfrontRefresh.Com to learn a little bit more about sand on our lake systems. Contact us today to get an accurate consultation on how to renovate, improve, or maintain your waterfront and surrounding spaces. Whether you are looking for a bold and stylish waterfront, a family friendly shoreline, a recreational focused waterfront, or the classic - a durable and rustic ‘cabin life’ backyard and waterfront. Whatever it is, we’ve got you covered. Be sure to stay up to date with our facebook here to learn about new services, new happenings, and more. Thanks for tuning in.
MN DNR Sand Installation Information Booklet - https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/publications/waters/shoreline_alterations_sand_blanket.pdf
WI DNR Beach Maintenance Activities and Permitting Booklet - https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/sites/default/files/topic/Waterways/BeachGrooming2012.pdf
