ON FRIDAY AFTERNOON OF THE 2018 NATIONAL CONVENTION, at the end of the Spencer Leadership Institute for undergraduates and alumni, the delegates were presented, by University Professor Chin H. Wu, on severe erosion along the Lake Mendota shoreline at the Lodge and the question of what is required to stabilize and revitalize the area.
(1) Is the Lakefront at Alpha Iota Lodge Eroding?
While there was a general perception among many alumni that the shoreline and bank had changed, was the shoreline eroding? Was there any definitive evidence?
(2) Is the Bluff/Slope at the Lodge Unstable?
And if the shoreline has eroded back into the bank, closer to the footings of the Lodge, is the foundation becoming undermined/unstable?
3) How Can We Revitalize the Lodge Lakefront?
Perhaps the challenge of the unknown seemed the most overwhelming to some. Were we going to lose the Lodge to lake erosion eventually?
Through the efforts of the Alumni Corporation President John Horneck, I’90, the Corporation formed an unusual partnership with the University’s engineering department to commission a study on how this will affect the Lodge in the decades to come.
Lake Mendota is Madison’s largest of four lakes and covers 9,842 acres. A glacier formed the lake 15,000 years ago. The lake was much more prominent during the last glacial period but shrank as ice reformed its basin. Winds and waves can be surprisingly strong, peaking seven or eight times a year and substantially damaging riprap and revetments. (Riprap is rock or other material used to armor shorelines and shoreline structures against scour and water or ice erosion; revetments are sloping designs placed on banks or cliffs in such a way as to absorb the energy of incoming water.)
There needed to be historical comparisons and current site fieldwork to understand what was happening with the shore and bank. Fortunately, through various sources, photographs were located going back 80 years to show what was there before. And with today’s digital precision computer analysis and real-time video footage of ice and wave action, one could view and analyze what had gone on over the years, with the storms, freezing, and weather events eating away at the Mendota shore.
Was the lakefront eroding at the Lodge? Absolutely, and the numbers were shocking! 24.6 linear feet of shoreline, 14.8 linear feet of the bluff toe, and 7.7 linear feet of bluff crest have already been lost to the powers of Lake Mendota! In addition, the shoreline’s gale winds and winter freezing cut away over time at riprap and revetments installed years ago. The photographs and site soil and grade studies also provided the history and current state of the bluff or slope below the Lodge, the stability of which was critical to the Lodge standing firm over time.
Facing the Lodge from the lake, the retaining structure on the right was in good condition, but the left side was failing. As of now, there is no damage to the Lodge itself, but it would be a long-term concern. The bottom line is that the shoreline erosion, bluff, and portions of the retaining structure all need replacement or repair, and there are several options on how to proceed.
Our partnership has brought the situation into focus; provided clear options of what is needed and how quickly an action plan is required and implemented. With donative support, the Corporation has pledged to address the issues in the immediate future.
If you are interested in more information or see the presentation analysis, or would like to donate and help fund this project, please reach out to John Horneck at jhorneck@msn.com
Below are some renderings of the Lodge Lakefront Revitalization Project.
#1 Basic Revitalization Rendering
#2 Moderate Revitalization Rendering
#3 Extensive Revtializtion Rendering
