PUBLICATIONS/SURVEYS
Lake Management Plan 2025
We are pleased to announce that the draft of the Geneva Lake Management Plan is complete after three years of work by SEWRPC and the Water Alliance partners. The stakeholder meeting to present the Geneva Lake Management Plan Update 2025, to the public, is scheduled for Thursday, November 20th, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Chapel on the Hill, N2440 Ara Glen Drive, Lake Geneva.
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The Executive Summary of the Geneva Lake Management Plan provides a 6-page overview of the 300+ page plan including challenges the lake is facing such as an increase in invasive species and pollutant loading, implementation of the plan, recent survey results, and funding of the plan. The summary and full plan are linked below.
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​Please note: the current Geneva Lake Management Plan is a draft and will be finalized after public comment is made. ​Public comments will be accepted at lakeandstream@sewrpc.org.
Click on the leaf icons below to go to the documents or visit SEWRPC's page. A comment box is located at the bottom of SEWRPC'S page:
https://www.sewrpc.org/Local-Planning/Water-Resources-Planning/Lakes-and-Streams​
Executive Summary
Full Plan
MOST RECENT REPORTS
Nearshore Fisheries Survey
GLEA worked with retired DNR staff on conducting a Nearshore Fisheries Survey for the lake. This survey has been done 4 times on Geneva Lake, beginning in 1978 and the most recent one conducted in 2018. The report not only describes current fish populations, but also compares them to previous surveys as well.
A total of 18 sites were sampled to understand the nearshore fish population. Gar, darter species, bass, panfish (bluegill, sunfish, perch, rock bass), bullheads, and killifish, where among just some of the species found. Read the full report below!
Aquatic Plant PI Survey
GLEA worked with Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission on our Annual Aquatic Plant PI Survey.
Through sampling a grid of points on the lake, we can document the overall plant diversity as well as locations of certain species. This survey also helps us monitor where starry stonewort is and how it spreads year to year. Look out for that report later this year!
Boat Count
GLEA conducted the annual boat count early August to assess boats docked and moored on Geneva Lake. Motorized boats, sailboats, personal watercraft, and non-motorized vessels, are all included. The GLEA spends a day on the water counting boats on the shore and collecting numbers from storage facilities and marinas. The "Data" tab has more information on comparative counts for past years.
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Follow the link below to read the 2023 Boat Count assessment!
Macroinvertebrates Survey
In 2024, the Geneva Lake Environmental Agency (GLEA) with the DNR and GEI Consultants, conducted a macroinvertebrate survey of Geneva Lake’s nearshore (littoral) zone. Macroinvertebrates, small aquatic organisms like insects, snails, and crayfish, are widely used as indicators of lake health because they respond quickly to changes in habitat and water conditions. Using Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources–adapted methods, samples were collected at multiple nearshore locations and analyzed at a professional laboratory to establish a clear biological snapshot of the lake’s condition.
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This survey was completed to establish a baseline for future comparison and to help inform lake management decisions, particularly in areas experiencing increased nearshore pressure. Recent fisheries surveys raised concerns about shoreline habitat disruption from wave energy, invasive species, and development. By documenting macroinvertebrate diversity and abundance now, GLEA is building the scientific foundation needed to track change over time, evaluate potential impacts, and guide future protection and restoration efforts for Geneva Lake.
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In 2025, trained staff did a much smaller survey in three different locations with the Fontana Ecology Club to get a read on any changes on a smaller level...results coming soon.
Summary Info Geneva Lake's Sediments
Geneva Lake Use Survey
Summary Info Geneva Lake's Aquatic Plant Management
Summary Info Geneva Lake's Water Quality
Summary Info Geneva Lake's Budget
Summary Info Geneva Lake & Boating
Summary Info Geneva Lake Management Plan
Summary Info Groundwater & Geneva Lake
Spongy Moth Information 2022
Aquatic Plant Survey 2022
Swimmers Itch Pamphlet
Groundwater Pumping Near GL and Effect
Groundwater Flow Model for Geneva Lake
Groundwater Data Compilation for Geneva Lake
Clean Boats Clean Waters Report 2020
Big Foot Creek Watershed Study Phase 1, 2020
The Geneva Lake Book
2024 DNR Fishing Tournament and Game Fishery public meeting recording:
Passcode: EE3^S3!=