The McLellan lab‘s work was referenced in this Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article, chronicling the construction project of the new beach at South Shore Park.
With their decades-long monitoring of the beach, the team found that bacteria, impervious surfaces that increased runoff, and lack of water flow due to the breakwater were largely to blame for the constant closures.
The biggest change is that the beach was moved 400 feet south along the lakefront. The old sandy beach was converted into open space where the county is planting native vegetation. They’re also creating bioswales and rain gardens, which helps reduce runoff.
There is a stone wall near the new beach that helps stabilize it, as well as dry prairie grasses meant to deter birds. Previously, this contributed to the bacteria levels in the water. The sand is also a larger grain size, helping to filter out runoff before getting into the water.