Posted on June 10, 2026
The North Shore Lane dredging project on Lake Onalaska is scheduled to begin June 16, now that state environmental restrictions protecting fish spawning have lifted.
Ground preparation near Matalik’s and Schaffer’s Landing is already complete, according to the Guardians of Lake Onalaska blog.
Crews will use large suction hoses to pull sediment from the lake bottom into a holding area, where the water will be separated and pumped back into the lake.
The project is expected to take a few months and will be visible from the Red Pines area.
The local cleanup comes as the U.S. Geological Survey’s Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center released its latest activity report, highlighting interconnected threats to the Upper Mississippi River system — including sediment buildup, invasive carp and nutrient runoff.
Project organizers note that while this dredging phase is moving forward, the Guardians of Lake Onalaska remain short of the total funding needed for the full rehabilitation project and are actively seeking community donations.
