Isthmus Shoreline Stabilization

The Gibson Island isthmus stabilization was driven by long-standing concerns from community members and the Town of Belle Plaine about ongoing erosion and shoreline loss. Since the Town first purchased the property in 2006, residents had noticed increasing undercutting along the narrow isthmus connecting the island. Year after year, ice shove and wave action steadily wore away the east side, in some places removing inches of shoreline and raising fears about its long-term stability.

To address these concerns, WAMSCO successfully applied for a Wisconsin DNR restoration grant that funded the stabilization effort. Work began by leveling the berm that had built up over time from repeated ice shove events. Several dead and hazardous trees were selectively felled and repurposed as fish sticks—strategically placed woody habitat structures that help break wave energy, reduce erosion, and create excellent spawning and cover habitat.

Approximately 400 feet of riprap (rock) was installed along the east shoreline to prevent further erosion and shield the isthmus from wave action. Behind the rock, native plantings were established to restore natural vegetation and strengthen the shoreline over time. A small section of the project also incorporated biobags planted with native shrubs and plants. While visible at first, these bags will gradually disappear as vegetation matures, creating a natural-looking shoreline that blends seamlessly into the island landscape within a few growing seasons.