La Crosse Area Waters

06/12/2026

Did you know that before the dam was built in 1935, Lake Onalaska looked very different? The area was made up of marshes, farmland, and a smaller lake called Rice Lake.

And here's another fun fact: wild rice still grows in our area today! This native plant does more than you might think—it helps filter our water, supports thriving wetland habitats, and holds deep cultural, spiritual, and nutritional significance for Indigenous communities throughout Wisconsin.

City of Onalaska

05/27/2026

Raise your hand if the backwaters of the Mississippi River is your happy place. ✋ 😁

05/19/2026

Rain barrels, native plants, and other simple BMPs help keep La Crosse’s waterways clean and thriving. Learn more about building your own rain barrel by clicking on our resources page and a step-by-step guide.

How to Make a Rain Barrel: https://www.lacrosseareawaters.org/resources/rain-barrels/

05/14/2026

Soak It Up Award now OPEN!

Each year, we award those in our community who have used nature-based approaches to reduce runoff pollution on their 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 gardens, infiltration trenches, permeable pavement, rain barrels, native plantings, berms, or swales make a great nominee.

Nominate here: https://www.lacrosseareawaters.org/nominate-a-private-property/

City of La Crosse, Wisconsin
La Crosse County
City of La Crescent
City of Onalaska
Village of Holmen
Village of West Salem
Town of Shelby WI
Town of Holland
Town of Campbell, WI
Town of Onalaska

05/08/2026

This type of work is the easiest, most tangible way YOU can improve water quality.

We’ll see you this Saturday, May 9, rain or shine! Stop by your Clean Up site beginning at 8 am to receive your t-shirt, garbage bags, and map. The after-party starts at noon!
Haven’t registered yet? Don’t worry; you can register the day-of at any of our sites. Visit rivercleanuplacrosse.com for more info.

05/01/2026

Spring brought a big celebration—our dedication of the 2025 Soak It Up Award winner, the Attleson property in La Crosse. With native plants, rain gardens, and pollinator habitat that help manage stormwater naturally, Gregg and Sylvia’s yard shows how beautiful and functional a watershed‑friendly landscape can be.

La Crosse Urban Stormwater Group leaders were in attendance and got to learn first hand all of the BMP's that the Attleson's have implemented.

Nominations for our 2026 award are now open through July 31!
Nominate here: https://www.lacrosseareawaters.org/nominate-a-private-property/

City of La Crescent
La Crosse County
City of Onalaska

04/24/2026

Pettibone Beach is one of La Crosse’s favorite hangout spots — especially for University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Viterbo University students — but the amount of trash left behind lately is hurting our river and our wildlife.

If you’re enjoying Pettibone, bring a trash bag, clean up before you leave, and encourage your friends to do the same. Let’s keep our waterways healthy for everyone who calls La Crosse home.

And yes, we did pick up the trash ☺️

04/14/2026

Spring has sprung! Now is the time to read all about native plants, rain gardens and how you can use these best management practices in your own yard, property or business. Check out our resources: https://www.lacrosseareawaters.org/resources/

Check out the featured property at La Crescent-Hokah Elementary and how they transformed their landscape to help our area waterways.

https://www.lacrosseareawaters.org/featured-properties/la-crescent-hokah-elementary-school/

04/02/2026

Shout out to McDonald's of Western WI, Southeastern MN & Northern IA for the amazing rain gardens at the Holmen, Wisconsin location!

Rain gardens might look muddy or a little gross right now—and that’s normal. They’re busy soaking up spring rains, reducing runoff, and protecting our waterways.

Give them time—by summer, they’ll be full of native plants, blooms, and pollinators. Thank you for creating landscaping around your building that helps protect our La Crosse waterways!