Upper Sugar River Watershed Initiative

Marcia Hartwig, Upper Sugar River Initiative

Construction on a special water quality project began on Deer Creek just off Sutter Drive in southwestern Dane County on July 21. The Dane County Land Conservation Department received a special, one-time grant from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources for

streambank restoration and habitat enhancement for Deer Creek and Fryes Feeder, tributaries of the Sugar River. The project includes streambank erosion control, fish habitat enhancement, native prairie restoration, pasture management and monitoring. The project is scheduled to be completed this fall. Nearly 18,000 feet of streambank will have erosion control practices in place. Seventeen acres of prairie will be restored and over 200 habitat structures will be installed.

"This project is a tribute to the land stewardship of the local farmers," said Kevin Connors, County Conservationist. "Without their efforts over the years towards fencing the streambanks and addressing cropland erosion, the state would not have chosen to recognize this area as a project."

Erosion on the streambanks will be controlled with riprap, shaping and seeding. Riprap consists of rocks placed on the streambank in a fashion that takes into consideration the velocity of the stream and the slope of the bank. Other sections of the streambank will be shaped and seeded with native vegetation to deter erosion. The seeding will include varieties of prairie plants that were present before the area was settled.

"These streams have the potential to be excellent trout streams," states Gary Green, Trout Stamp Habitat Coordinator for the Wisconsin DNR. Erosion makes streams wider, causing them to become shallow and warm. Trout require cool, fast flowing water. Streambank restoration narrows the stream, which in turn increases the velocity of the water, keeping the water cooler. Habitat structures are placed in the current along the banks. The increased velocity of the narrowed stream keeps the structures free of sediment and debris and helps to keep the water cool—just the way the trout like it.

The fish habitat enhancement will include placing habitat structures in the stream to provide cover for trout and other fish. Several volunteer groups, including Dane County Conservation League, Deer Creek Sportsmen's Club, and the Southern Wisconsin Chapter of Trout Unlimited, and many individual volunteers, are helping to build the structures. Without volunteer help, the habitat restoration portion of this project would not be possible.

For more information on this project or to volunteer, contact Marcia Hartwig at Dane County Land Conservation Department at 224-3746.

Streambank restoration project on Deer Creek near Donald Park.

In other news, the Upper Sugar River Initiative has announced the winner of the Upper Sugar River Watershed logo contest. Garrett Fahey, a Junior at Belleville High School, created the winning entry. Garrett's work will be used on newsletters, letterhead, brochures, signs and other watershed items. Almost 100 students from Belleville, Mt. Horeb and Verona High Schools participated in the contest. Garrett was awarded a $100 gift certificate at Community Park on April 28. All students who entered the contest will receive a certificate of participation.

The Dane County Chapter of the Ice Age Park & Trail Foundation led two workdays in the Ice Age Trail Junction Area in late April. Joining them were several young people taking part in Youth Service Day, and University of Wisconsin students participating in their Community Plunge. Volunteer Tom Gross supervised these workdays, which went a long way towards the completion of the first part of the trail system there.

Several sessions of seed scattering were held in the Ice Age Trail Junction Area this spring. Volunteers included members of READI led by Earl Strutz, Ruth Fahnestock, Dick Stauber, David Lawrence, Norma Ball, Earl Hazeltine, Mary Trewartha, Martha Kilgour, Lisa Bower, Bob & Jackie Geimer, Meredith Dunn, Jonathon Rooney, Kasey Gilis, Gary Werner, Melanie Lord, Erv Smith, Corinne Conner & Eric, and Dan Wood. Look for fall seed scattering dates in "Volunteer Opportunities."

National Trails Day brought out 27 volunteers to work on the Ice Age Trail during the Ice Age Trail Festival, which was sponsored by the Dane County Chapter of the Ice Age Park & Trail Foundation. WMMM-FM's Green Team and the Alliant Stewards of Nature also sponsored the workday, and brought their volunteers. Alliant also provided a wonderful lunch!

For Information about the Upper Sugar river Initiative contact one of the following: Marcia Hartwig 224-3746 Mike Kakuska 266-9111 Steve Fix 275-3280