Waupaca’s Lakes

The Friends are a group of concerned neighbors that work together to promote the health of the lakes. The Friends formed through a Lake Study Grant in 2003. This grant recommended that a citizen’s group form, to continue to monitor and watch the overall health of the lake, as well as addressing new concerns and issues.

The group has been hard at work ever since, working on and completing a number of projects.

Friends of Mirror and Shadow Lake 2026 running agenda​. 

Meetings are held 2nd Friday of each month at 1pm. Please call 715-258-4435 ext. 5 for location.

How the Friends of Mirror/Shadow Lakes acts to protect the lakes:

• Preserve and protect our lakes for current and future generations through responsible stewardship.
• Educate the community about native plants and invasive species to support lake-friendly practices.
• Follow the Comprehensive Plan to ensure consistent, long-term lake management.
• Conduct ongoing water testing to track oxygen levels, temperature, and clarity, and monitor elevated phosphorus levels.
• Encourage proper artificial aeration to support overall lake health.
• Support Clean Boats, Clean Waters efforts to educate boaters on preventing the spread of invasive species.
• Monitor for invasive species and work to control invasives when possible. 
• Promote healthy shorelines by encouraging native plantings that reduce erosion and filter runoff.
• Discourage feeding geese to prevent large flocks that degrade water quality and shoreline conditions.
• Address nuisance wildlife impacts by encouraging practices that keep shorelines clean and usable.
• Maintain and update signage at boat landing to keep residents and visitors informed.

You Can Help the Lakes Too:

1. Choose phosphate-free cleaners. Even small amounts of phosphorus can fuel algae growth, so switching dish and laundry products helps protect water quality.
2. Store fuels and chemicals safely. Keep containers sealed, elevated, and in secondary tubs to prevent spills from reaching the shoreline.
3. Use permeable surfaces. Options like gravel, pavers, or native groundcover allow rain to soak in, reducing runoff and erosion.
4. Protect your shoreline buffer in spring. Wait until after frost risk passes before mowing or clearing within 30 feet of the water to protect soil and wildlife.
5. Capture rain where it falls. Rain barrels, rain gardens, and redirected downspouts slow runoff and keep pollutants out of the lake.
6. Keep yard waste out of the water. Compost or bag leaves and grass clippings instead of blowing or raking them into the lake.
7. Stop invasive plants early. If you spot purple loosestrife, clip flower heads and dispose of them in sealed trash bags to prevent seed spread.
8. Protect aquatic vegetation. Near-shore plants support fish and wildlife while filtering water—avoid removing them unless necessary and permitted.
9. Maintain a no-mow shoreline zone. Leaving a 30-foot buffer unmowed helps prevent erosion and supports beneficial insects.
10. Keep fertilizer away from the water. Apply only to upland areas and maintain a fertilizer-free strip along the shoreline.
11. Plant and maintain native buffers. Trees, shrubs, and grasses stabilize soil and filter runoff year-round, improving lake health.
12. Get involved in lake stewardship. Join your local lake association or volunteer to help protect and preserve your community’s waters.
13. Don’t feed geese. Feeding geese encourages large populations that contribute excess nutrients and bacteria to the water

Documents & Resources