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# La Crosse Area Waters

Helping protect, preserve and restore local waterways

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## Pages

- [Home](https://www.lacrosseareawaters.org/) - La Crosse Area Waters We advocate for and educate citizens about local projects that reduce runoff pollution and preserve the health and beauty of waterways. The 2025 Award Residents Gregg and Sylvia Attleson Win 2025 Award! Gregg and Sylvia worked with the land to support clean water, diverse habitat, and yummy food for all living
- [Nominate a Private Property](https://www.lacrosseareawaters.org/nominate-a-private-property/) - Nominate a Property Tell us about yourselfName(Required) Phone Number(Required)Email(Required) How did you hear about The Soak It Up Project Award?(Required)EmailSocial MediaLocal MediaOther, please explain(If other) TELL US ABOUT THE PROJECTWhat is the street address of the project?(Required) Street Address Address Line 2 City State Zip Code What kind of water issues was the property having
- [Soak it Up Award ](https://www.lacrosseareawaters.org/soak-it-up-award/) - Soak It Up Award Each year, we award those in our community who have used nature-based approaches to reduce runoff pollution on their property. Nominate a Property Any project that has altered the landscape to direct, capture, or absorb stormwater runoff can be nominated. Property owners who have implemented BMPs (Best Management Practices) including rain
- [About Us](https://www.lacrosseareawaters.org/about-us/) - La Crosse Area Waters is a strategy put in place by the La Crosse Urban Stormwater Group. Made up of 10 local communities who are pooling resources to provide outreach and education about stormwater runoff. Our Work The La Crosse Urban Stormwater Group is taking on the challenge of slowing down the rush of rain
- [Rain Gardens](https://www.lacrosseareawaters.org/resources/rain-gardens/) - How to Build a Rain Garden A rain garden is a shallow depression in the ground that is typically planted with native grasses and flowers. Water from your downspout, driveway, or other hard surfaces is directed to the garden, where it soaks into the ground instead of running into the street, storm drain, and river.
- [Logan Middle School](https://www.lacrosseareawaters.org/featured-properties/logan-middle-school/) - Logan Middle School Featured Property A Living Classroom for Stormwater Education At Logan Middle School, a 740-square-foot rain garden is doing more than managing stormwater-it's empowering students to take climate action in their own backyard. This vibrant garden, located beside the school's outdoor classroom, was fully planted by students in spring 2024 as part of
- [Lewis Point Park](https://www.lacrosseareawaters.org/featured-properties/lewis-point-park/) - Resources Featured Property From Field to Feature: A Park Transformed Lewis Point Park has seen a dramatic transformation in recent years. Once a quiet field, the park is now home to the ORA Trails Bike Park, completed in 2024, which has quickly become a highlight for the Village of West Salem. But the improvements didn't stop
- [Featured Properties ](https://www.lacrosseareawaters.org/featured-properties/) - Sprinkled throughout our communities are hidden gems of stormwater mitigation. This is our opportunity to call attention to local people who are making positive changes for better water quality in our region. Logan Middle School Driven by a passion for native plants and pollinators, one student's vision turned a forgotten corner of Holmen High School
- [Soak It Up! Award Winner 2025 - Gregg and Sylvia Attleson](https://www.lacrosseareawaters.org/soak-it-up-award/the-attlesons/) - 2025 WinnerGregg and Sylvia Attleson Gregg and Sylvia Attleson's journey to La Crosse began decades ago with a shared passion for education, community, and the environment. From Peace Corps service in Venezuela to farming in Gays Mills, Wisconsin, their lives have been shaped by a deep respect for the land and a desire to live
- [Holmen High School](https://www.lacrosseareawaters.org/featured-properties/holmen-high-school/) - Resources Featured Property A Student's Passion Turns Runoff into Renewal For decades, a drainage basin behind Holmen High School quietly did its job-collecting runoff from over 250,000 square feet of asphalt and concrete. It was mowed regularly, treated as a maintenance necessity, and largely overlooked. But in 2024, one student saw something more. Holland Davis, a
- [Rain Barrels](https://www.lacrosseareawaters.org/resources/rain-barrels/) - Why Are They Important? Rainwater harvesting systems are an important tool to prevent runoff, flooding, and pollution. These barrels collect water that runs off a home from the roof and gutters where it picks up pollutants from roof materials, animal waste, and debris. It then collects it and stores it for later use. These
- [Educational Shareables](https://www.lacrosseareawaters.org/resources/educational-shareables/) - These media pieces were created to be shared! Use them in classes, presentations, or just with friends. Soak it Up Videos Play Video YMCA: Food & Water Play Video YMCA: Directing Water Play Video YMCA: Absorbing Water Play Video Knutson's: Backyard Solutions Play Video Knutson's: Flooding Play Video Knutson's: Words of Wisdom Play Video Knutson's:
- [Smart Salting](https://www.lacrosseareawaters.org/resources/smart-salting/) - All about winter's saltiest subject. What, Why, and How of Smart Salting What is Smart Salting? Smart salting means using salt in a way that keeps sidewalks and roads safe without polluting the environment. Instead of dumping big piles of salt, we use just enough to get the job done. A good rule of thumb
- [Municipal Stormwater Management](https://www.lacrosseareawaters.org/resources/municipal-stormwater-management/) - Read here about some things our local county, cities, towns, and villages do to manage stormwater runoff for everyone! Municipal Stormwater Management Our local governments make plans and systematic investments to manage stormwater. It's required. It's important. And it requires persistent effort to maintain hundreds of miles of ditches and pipes, clean up thousands of
- [Stormwater Runoff and Pollution](https://www.lacrosseareawaters.org/resources/stormwater-runoff-and-pollution/) - The what of stormwater runoff, how it gets polluted, and why it's important we do something about it. What is Stormwater Runoff? Stormwater runoff is the water from rain or melting snow that flows over the ground instead of soaking into it. In natural areas, much of the water is absorbed by soil, plants, and
- [Resources](https://www.lacrosseareawaters.org/resources/) - Resources Constructive information for property owners who are inspired to take action. Click to go in depth on topics: What is a Watershed? Stormwater Runoff and Pollution Municipal Stormwater Management Smart Salting Rain Gardens Native Plants Rain Barrels Educational Shareables Reduce Runoff on Your Property - The Basics Help stop polluted runoff. Working together, individuals
- [What is a Watershed?](https://www.lacrosseareawaters.org/resources/what-is-a-watershed/) - The bigger picture of stormwater runoff! Watersheds Water follows gravity, flowing from high to low. A watershed is an area of land where all the water-rain, snowmelt, or streams-drains into a common body of water, such as a river, lake, or ocean. Watersheds can be small, like the land feeding into a single creek, or
- [Soak It Up! Award winner 2021](https://www.lacrosseareawaters.org/soak-it-up-award/soak-it-up-award-winner-2021/) - 2022 Winner: THE COMMUNITY FOOD FOREST AT THE LA CROSSE AREA FAMILY YMCA "I think back to the summer of 2016," said Lee Walraven, the YMCA's former Director of Healthy Living, "when we'd just installed 90% of the food forest. There was a massive storm, and standing water in West Avenue was coming up over
- [Soak It Up! Award Winner 2024 - Clearwater Farm](https://www.lacrosseareawaters.org/soak-it-up-award/clearwaterfarm/) - 2024 WinnerClearwater Farm Coulee Region Ecoscapes digs swales and tamps walkway during construction Nestled at the base of Greens Coulee in Onalaska, Clearwater Farm has been a hub of education and sustainable agriculture for over two decades. But as stormwater runoff increased with nearby residential developments, the farm faced an ecological challenge that transformed its
- [Soak It Up! Award winner 2023 - The Hub on 6th](https://www.lacrosseareawaters.org/soak-it-up-award/hubon6th/) - 2023 WinnerThe Hub on 6th Using green infrastructure allows this property to naturally soak up, and filter polluted runoff. After serving as the La Crosse County Adminsitrative Building for almost 50 years, 360 Real Estate had a vision to repurpose this property into a downtown oasis for residents and the community to enjoy. "Landscape design,
- [John S. Harris Park](https://www.lacrosseareawaters.org/featured-properties/john-s-harris-park/) - Featured Property "Our connection to the Mississippi is front of mind for La Crescent. The river is an important part of our identity and we value protecting water quality for recreation" - Jason Ludwigson, Sustainability Coordinator for La Crescent How it Started The City of La Crescent is committed to expanding green infrastructure, especially when
- [Donate](https://www.lacrosseareawaters.org/donate/) - Help us reduce polluted stormwater runoff and protect our local waterways in the greater La Crosse Area! Donate to La Crosse Area Waters
- [Native Plants](https://www.lacrosseareawaters.org/resources/native-plants/) - Native Plants Plants thrive in their native regions because they have adapted to the specific soil and weather conditions. Native plants have deep, wide spreading root systems that make them perfect for low maintenance green spaces and rain gardens. These roots soak up and filter water before it enters into storm systems and aquafers, reducing
- [Soak It Up! Award Winner 2018](https://www.lacrosseareawaters.org/soak-it-up-award/soak-it-up-award-winner-2018/) - 2018 Winner: MISTY'S DANCE UNLIMITED This project rewards people who landscape with water in mind, to keep polluted runoff out of our local waterways. 2018 marked year one for The Soak it Up! Project Award. Collaborating with local partners, we highlighted four finalists and awarded one with a gift of native landscaping material. These homeowners, businesses, and
- [Soak It Up! Award Winner 2019](https://www.lacrosseareawaters.org/soak-it-up-award/soak-it-up-award-winner-2019/) - 2019 Winner: ROUSH RENTALS WATERVIEW APARTMENTS Attention to stormwater runoff at the Waterview Apartments site was not only mandated by law, but visibly necessary. Runoff from the property flows directly to the Mississippi River. So from the start, the developer intended to exceed legal requirements for reducing suspended solids reaching the river. The stormwater management
- [Soak It Up! Award Co-winner First Congregational 2020](https://www.lacrosseareawaters.org/soak-it-up-award/soak-it-up-award-co-winner-first-congo-2020/) - 2020 Co-Winner: First Congregational Church First Congregational Church knows sustainable solutions are not just the right thing to do, but a cost-effective way to work in the long run. As many other buildings in our area do, the church relied on a sump pump to control excess stormwater on the property. But the pump wasn't enough
- [Soak It Up! Award Co-winner Knutson 2020](https://www.lacrosseareawaters.org/soak-it-up-award/soak-it-up-award-co-winner-knutson-2020/) - 2020 Co-Winner: KURT AND RENEE KNUTSON For the first time in Soak it Up! Award history, we are honoring both a commercial AND a residential property. Our two 2020 award recipients resolved persistent water issues on their land, minimized runoff to keep polluted water out of rivers and lakes around us, and went above and
- [Soak It Up! Award winner 2022](https://www.lacrosseareawaters.org/soak-it-up-award/soak-it-up-award-winner-2022/) - 2022 Winner: CRDN OF WESTERN WISCONSIN Before redevelopment, CRDN of Western Wisconsin's Rose Street property was primarily broken concrete and asphalt. The northside La Crosse property owned by CRDN of Western Wisconsin was like many other sites in La Crosse-or any city-before its most recent redevelopment. The lot's original commercial purpose had been phased out
- [Breidenbach Wellness Center](https://www.lacrosseareawaters.org/featured-properties/breidenbach-wellness-center/) - Resources Featured Property When they first stepped onto the land where they now live and work, Ben and Amy Breidenbach were captured by views of Brice Prairie, Halfway Creek Marsh and Lake Onalaska. The site at the corner of Highways OT and 35 in Onalaska was a dream come true, with space for both their
- [La Crescent-Hokah Elementary School](https://www.lacrosseareawaters.org/featured-properties/la-crescent-hokah-elementary-school/) - Resources Featured Property In 2010 former teacher Jan Hammel saw potential in an unused area of the La Crescent-Hokah Elementary School grounds, and with the help of her students constructed a small rain garden. Since then Mrs. Hammel's small rain garden project has become an inspiration, and current administrators and volunteers are making the entire
- [Habitat ReStore La Crosse](https://www.lacrosseareawaters.org/collaborations/habitatrestore/) - habitat restore la crosse A Stormwater Demonstration, Education, and Outreach Project The ReStore property exhibits multiple stormwater best management practices (BMPs) that help direct, capture, and absorb polluted runoff. For several years, La Crosse Area Waters looked for a community partner whose property would help demonstrate stormwater management best practices. The goal was to educate
- [Wisconsin Stormwater Collaborative](https://www.lacrosseareawaters.org/collaborations/wistormwatercollaborative/) - WIsconsin stormwater collaborative a statewide effort to raise awareness about runoff pollution Watershed conservation groups across Wisconsin advocated tirelessly to dedicate one week out of the year to stormwater and runoff pollution awareness. Thanks to their efforts, the first official Wisconsin Stormwater Awareness Week occurred August of 2023. In partnership with 91 other municipalities and conservation
- [Wisconsin Salt Wise](https://www.lacrosseareawaters.org/collaborations/wisaltwise/) - WIsconsin salt wise Education for winter maintenance professionals on best practices for snow and ice removal WI Salt Wise is a coalition of organizations from across Wisconsin working together to reduce salt pollution in our lakes, streams and drinking water. Their primary goals are to: educate residents, leaders and winter maintenance professionals on salt pollution
- [Collaborations ](https://www.lacrosseareawaters.org/collaborations/) - Our collaborations involve groups of like-minded people, who are passionate about sharing ideas and resources in order to improve water quality. Working collectively, instead of individually, leads to more innovation, efficient processes, and increased success for runoff projects in our area, and across the state. Habitat ReStore La Crosse A joint effort to develop La
- [Summit Environmental School](https://www.lacrosseareawaters.org/featured-properties/summit-environmental-school/) - Resources Featured Property Summit Environmental School weaves environmentalism throughout their curriculum and prides themselves on practicing what they preach. So, when Wendy Fechner, a teacher at Summit, noticed that water from the school roof and parking lot was flowing directly into French Lake, she knew something had to be done. For years, rain
- [GROW La Crosse & Hamilton Elementary](https://www.lacrosseareawaters.org/collaborations/growlacrosse/) - Grow la crosse A water-friendly edible schoolyard at hamilton elementary Students, staff, and community volunteers got their hands dirty, laying mulch and planting this rain garden. GROW La Crosse had a vision for developing an edible schoolyard at Hamilton Elementary School in La Crosse and understood the importance of controlling water within the landscape. Together,
- [Northern Hills Elementary](https://www.lacrosseareawaters.org/featured-properties/northern-hills-elementary/) - Resources Featured Property Collaboration between La Crosse Urban Stormwater Group's Soak it Up! Project and staff at Northern Hills Elementary School in Onalaska led to a new learning opportunity for students and the community. At the request of Northern Hills faculty with the involvement of students, The Soak it Up! Project designed, produced and installed an educational sign in
- [Privacy Policy](https://www.lacrosseareawaters.org/privacy-policy/) - privacy Policy In accordance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, (COPPA), La Crosse Urban Stormwater Group does not, at any time, knowingly collect information from, or market any products to, children under the age of 13. There may be instances when the Partnership will use a "cookie" in order to track website usage, to compile
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- [Soak it Up Videos](https://www.lacrosseareawaters.org/fl-builder-template/soak-it-up-videos/) - Soak it Up Videos Play Video YMCA: Food & Water Play Video YMCA: Directing Water Play Video YMCA: Absorbing Water Play Video Knutson's: Backyard Solutions Play Video Knutson's: Flooding Play Video Knutson's: Words of Wisdom Play Video Knutson's: Close Up Play Video WI DNR: All in a Days Work Play Video WI DNR: Monitoring Waterways
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