Preparing for Floods & Droughts

Climate & Resilience

A practical playbook for dealing with high-water and low-water extremes at the lake—at home and as a community.

What to Expect

Floods (High Water)
  • Fast-rising levels after heavy rain/snowmelt
  • Saturated banks
  • Floating debris
  • Erosion and septic saturation
Droughts (Low Water)
  • Prolonged low water
  • Expanded shallows
  • Hotter near-shore water
  • Access limits and increased plant growth

Core Principles (Plain Language)

  • Design for the swing, not the average
  • Protect the near-shore: Saturated or newly exposed areas are fragile
  • Keep dirty water out: Manage runoff year-round so extremes do less damage

Before the Extremes (Preparedness)

  • Inventory Hazards

    Low electrical, fuel tanks, loose docks, unsecured shoreline items

  • Set Elevation Marks

    Know the ordinary high water line (OHWL) and mark storage limits above it

  • Backup Access

    Adjustable dock sections, floating ramps, or alternate launch spots

  • Overflow Paths

    Sketch where yard and roof water will go in big storms—route to vegetation not the lake

  • Community Check

    List culverts, ditches, and outlets that routinely clog or overtop

During High Water (Flood Playbook)

  • Go no-wake lake-wide or in affected bays to protect saturated banks and loon nests
  • Raise or remove portable docks, lifts, and pumps; secure fuel and propane
  • Shut down irrigation and minimize water use if septic fields are saturated
  • Block debris: Install simple log/boom catchers at vulnerable docks (where safe and allowed)
  • Protect banks: Keep foot and vehicle traffic off soft shorelines; add temporary coir/fiber rolls on gentle banks
  • Monitor crossings: Check culverts and inlets for blockages; clear debris from grates (from shore) and report hazards

After Floods (Stabilization)

  • Assess Erosion

    Look for undercut toes, slumps, and new rills; re-grade gently and re-plant with natives

  • Repair Stormwater Routes

    Add check dams, widen swales, and size rain-garden overflows

  • Sediment Clean-up

    Shovel/move sediment uphill into vegetated areas—not back into the lake

  • Septic Recovery

    Wait for soils to drain; have systems inspected if you saw surfacing effluent

During Low Water (Drought Playbook)

  • Adjust access: Extend or reposition docks; move swim ladders; avoid dredging to "chase" water
  • Protect plants: New shallows often sprout beneficial natives; avoid clearing wholesale
  • Firewise: Clear dry fuels upslope; keep pumps/hoses ready where allowed
  • Water use: Fix leaks; prioritize indoor use; choose no-irrigation natives for new plantings

Road, Ditch & Culvert Readiness (Community)

  • Right-size culverts to natural channels; embed or use arches for fish passage and flood capacity
  • Armor inlets/outlets with stone and vegetation; add spillways and relief paths at known overtop points
  • Routine maintenance: Mow/clear only what maintains capacity; leave vegetation that stabilizes banks

Communications & Safety

  • Set Triggers

    e.g., "No-wake when water is within 6 in of bank vegetation," "Remove docks at +18 in."

  • Broadcast Simply

    Shared text/email list; signs at ramps and kiosks

  • Debris Hazards

    Mark or remove floating logs in busy areas; coordinate with authorities

  • Power & Potable

    Keep a backup water plan (bottled/cooler); protect freezers with surge/backup

Funding & Help

  • Cost-share/grants may exist for culvert upgrades, shoreline stabilization, and stormwater retrofits
  • Volunteer days: Organize post-storm erosion checks and planting events

Checklists (Print & Use)

High Water
  • ☐ No-wake posted/communicated
  • ☐ Docks/lifts raised or removed; fuel secured
  • ☐ Culverts/inlets checked; debris cleared
  • ☐ Soft banks protected; traffic limited
  • ☐ Septic use reduced; watch for surfacing
Low Water
  • ☐ Dock/ladder adjustments; alternate launch plan
  • ☐ Avoid dredging; mark shallow hazards
  • ☐ Firewise cleanup upslope
  • ☐ Leak fixes; indoor-only irrigation
  • ☐ Protect emerging native plants

Bottom Line

Plan for edges: higher highs, lower lows. Stabilize with vegetation, size stormwater for pulses, manage wakes during floods, and adapt access during droughts. Prepared communities bounce back faster with cleaner water and safer shores.

Key Insight

Design for the swing, not the average. Extremes are becoming more common—prepare your property and community for both high and low water.

Related Topics

Key Takeaways

  • Design for swings, not averages
  • Set elevation marks and triggers before extremes hit
  • Go no-wake during high water to protect saturated banks
  • Avoid dredging during droughts—adapt access instead
  • Protect emerging native plants in new shallows
  • Coordinate community responses with clear triggers

High Water Actions

  1. Post no-wake notices
  2. Raise/remove docks & lifts
  3. Check culverts for blockages
  4. Limit traffic on soft banks
  5. Reduce septic system use

Low Water Actions

  1. Adjust dock positions
  2. Mark shallow hazards
  3. Clear dry fuels upslope
  4. Fix water leaks
  5. Protect native plant growth

Need Help Preparing?

Connect with your lake association or local emergency management for community-specific guidance and resources.

Contact Us