Lake Waubesa Conservation Association

10/14/2026

Leaf-free Streets Rain Alert for Oct. 15th

Rain predicted Thursday (10/15). Safely remove leaves from your street and nearby storm drains prior to the rain and encourage neighbors to join in too. The goal is to have streets leaf-free before the rain.

To request a Leaf-free Streets yard sign or access outreach tools to help encourage others to take action, visit https://ripple-effects.com/outreach-tools
Thanks for helping to protect Dane County waters!

Christal Campbell
Stormwater Education Coordinator
Madison Area Municipal Stormwater Partnership (MAMSWaP)/
Dane County Land and Water Resources Dept.
(608) 228-4493
[email protected]
www.ripple-effects.com

This page provides public outreach tools for partners.

09/30/2026

Babcock County Park - Accessible Fishing & Boating Improvements Coming

Improvements include an accessible fishing pier, shoreline wildlife viewing pads, an accessible boat boarding pier, pathway upgrades, expanded day use parking, stormwater management improvements,
and shoreline restoration with native plantings.

To minimize overall disruption, construction is anticipated to coincide with WisDOT's
scheuduled US HWY 51 reconstruction road and bridge closures.

The boat launch is scheduled to CLOSE Winter of 2026 and anticipated to reopen summer of 2027.
Project updates and other boat launch sites can be found on the project page linked below.

For more information:

Redevelopment of Babcock County Park boat launch and expansion of shoreline improvements along Lake Waubesa and Yahara River.

09/26/2026

Announcing: Grant Openings for 2027

Do water puddles linger near your driveway or sidewalk after a rainstorm? Does runoff flow across your property toward Lake Waubesa? A rain garden or another simple landscaping project may help while protecting the lake.

As runoff travels across lawns, driveways and other surfaces, it can pick up soil, fertilizer, leaves pet waste, and other pollutants and carry them into the lake.
The Wisconsin DNR’s Healthy Lakes & Rivers grant program encourages simple, practical projects that homeowners can install themselves or complete with the help of a contractor. Eligible project expenses can be reimbursed up to $1,000. Projects include rain gardens, rock infiltration, water diversions and native plantings—including buffer zones. These projects help capture, filter and reduce nutrient-rich runoff before it reaches Lake Waubesa.

The LWCA Landscaping for the Lake Group has successfully administered three completed projects, a native plantings and two rain gardens. As a result, a new grant cycle is open now for 2027. Site visits and planning can start yet this year!
Would you like to see what some of these projects look like before deciding? Tours of completed projects are available.

Our service area extends from properties on the Lake Waubesa shoreline to those located within 1,000 feet of the lake. (see map) To learn whether you qualify, schedule a site visit or project tour and see how one of these projects could address runoff on your property.

Contact: [email protected]

09/21/2026

Under gloomy skies, nine hardy riders joined us for the bike ride—including 91-year-old “Diny Bug”! Many more joined the fun for the Packers game.

Our 50/50 raffle was also a big success, raising $435—and the winnings were generously donated right back to LWCA to support our work on Lake Waubesa. All in all, it was a day of wins! Thanks to everyone who rode, cheered and contributed, including Christy's Landing for hosting.

09/19/2026

Well…we sure got some needed rain! But like the Green Bay Packers, we play in all kinds of weather. BIKE & PARTY IS ON!

09/16/2026

Dane County Parks hosted a workday (Women's* Stormwater Basin Planting) at Babcock County Park yesterday in the upper parking lot to the south. There were 6 volunteers (plus 3 staff) and they planted around 1000 plants in 3 hours.

Thanks to this women's group and Dane County Parks staff for collecting, cleaning and slowing down stormwater on its way to Lake Waubesa!

09/16/2026

Bike Ride/Fall Kickoff Reminder this Sunday:

09/16/2026

Bike Ride/Fall Kick Off Reminder for this Sunday!

09/08/2026

Women's* Stormwater Basin Planting - Babcock County Park

Dane County Parks is hosting a series of workdays designed to create a welcoming environment for women and gender minorities to learn about habitat restoration and build connections. The next session will involve planting a stormwater basin at Babcock County Park. We will be planting native plant plugs into an existing bioretention basin that has been cleared of persistent invasive species and is ready for a vegetation overhaul.

For many women, non-binary/transgender folks, and other gender minorities, traditional workday settings can feel intimidating. These events aim to offer a supportive space where people can learn, participate, and grow community together.

Must register as a volunteer in our volunteer portal to sign up!

Date: Tues, Sept 15
Time: 9:00 a.m. - Noon
Location: Babcock County Madison Parks Foundation

To sign up:

Women's* Stormwater Basin Planting

09/05/2026