Clean Lakes Alliance recently announced that two partnered projects with the UW–Madison Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering have won two 2024 NCEES Engineering Education Awards, including the grand prize. The projects enlisted the help of Clean Lakes Alliance, a local nonprofit that introduced the students to issues currently facing Greater Madison’s lakes and then guided them as they developed effective solutions.
The grand prize-winning project focused on Law Park — located on the shore of Lake Monona — and aimed to improve water quality, park sustainability, and access to the downtown lakeshore. The submitted project proposes the reimagining of the park’s stormwater treatment, beach access, and recreational opportunities to encourage the community to visit and enjoy our lakeside parks.
The second project considered the siting and design of a manure digester in Dane County capable of treating manure from thousands of cows. Manure management is identified as a top direct-impact action in RENEW THE BLUE: A Community Guide to Cleaner Lakes & Beaches in the Yahara Watershed. Produced under the leadership of Clean Lakes Alliance, this 2022 publication provides an updated roadmap for cleaning up local lakes.
The program was partially funded by a grant Clean Lakes Alliance received from CG Schmidt in honor of its 100th anniversary.
