Summer officially begins at 3:25 a.m. June 21, but volunteers with Shawano Area Waterways Management are already out and about on the waters of Shawano Lake and the Wolf River.
The nonprofit organization is dedicated to protecting and preserving the waters of Shawano Lake, the Wolf River and the channel connecting them on behalf of about 1,200 waterfront property owners.
With the support of about 600 active members, SAWM is the leading advocate for the waterways and is actively engaged with the local communities and various state agencies.
Todd Dobberstein, SAWM’s president, said the 2025 season went well for the group.
Recent projects included a successful rebuild of a bridge, the permanent approval of target water levels by a federal agency and the purchase of new equipment that is operating smoothly. The past winter season was more active due to better ice conditions, enabling execution of Operation Clean Sweep.
“This initiative is intended to do a sweep of the lake to remove debris and garbage left behind after the ice fishing season,” Dobberstein said. “After the ice melts, we have had numerous issues over the years with log, garbage and even a shanty or two that became a safety hazard on open water.”
Key activities in 2025 included:
• Private weed cutting to more than 100 members.
• Cutting and maintaining a public navigation land and boat launches, removing 26% more weeds in 2025 than in 2024.
• For the 11th consecutive year, SAWM participated in Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources-sponsored Clean Boats Clean Waters program, an initiative designed to reduce the introduction of invasive species in the waterways.
• Continuing to perform water quality long-term trend monitoring.
• Installing and maintaining buoy-marked and lighted navigation lane in the lake, channel and upper Wolf River.
• Chemically spot-treating the lake as necessary to manage invasive weed growth.
• Working with Oconto Falls Ice Fishing Club on Operation Clean Sweep to eliminate debris left on the lake at the end of ice fishing season.
The group can now focus on its next major project — a new five-year aquatic plant management plan.
A healthy native aquatic plant environment is a critical element in any healthy aquatic ecosystem, providing food and habitat to wildlife, improving water quality and stabilizing bottom sediments.
Unfortunately, aquatic invasive plants, especially Eurasian water milfoil and curly-leaf pondweed, are also found in local waters. SAWM has been active in monitoring and treating the waters for invasive species.
Other key priorities for 2026 are to:
• Provide public and private nuisance weed harvesting.
• Establish a new partnership with Shawano County Sheriff’s Department for boating safety, operational compliance and fishing regulation compliance on waterways.
• Maintain lighted buoy navigation lane.
• Execute projects to improve waterways’ fishery and wildlife habitats.
• Work with Wisconsin Lakes and DNR on natural habitat erosion control.
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
“Danger Shallow Water” signs were posted on Shawano waterways in mid-May in preparation for the 2026 boating season. Volunteers with the nonprofit Shawano Area Waterways Management are dedicated to protecting and preserving the waters of Shawano Lake, the Wolf River and the channel connecting them on behalf of about 1,200 waterfront property owners. (Greg Mellis | NEW Media)
