Restoration and enhancement work is scheduled to begin on the West Branch of the Sugar River between County Highways G and JG sometime in August. This Targeted Resource Management, or TRM Project, will address sediment and erosion concerns as well as enhance in-stream habitat. Similar to previous projects on the West Branch (between County U and US 92), Deer Creek and Fryes Feeder, the partnership of rural landowners, volunteer groups and state and local governments make this project possible. This is the third TRM grant that the Dane County Land Conservation Department (LCD) has received from the DNR.

The Culprit: Erosion
Erosion makes streams wider, causing them to become shallow and warm. This project will use riprap, shaping and seeding to control erosion on the streambanks. 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 both cool season grasses and native vegetation to deter erosion. Some of the seeding will include planting varieties of prairie plants that were present before the area was settled.

Erosion's Partner: Sediment
Sediment is one of the largest pollutants to our waters. It consists of tiny particles of soil, flakes of metal, broken pavement, sand and other pollutants. This is referred to as nonpoint source or runoff pollution because it comes from many small or diffuse sources rather than one exact point. Rain and melting snow carry sediment from farm fields, parking lots, streambanks, streets and gutters, roads and construction sites to lakes and streams turning them brown and murky. Sediment causes lakes and streams to become warmer, shallower, and phosphorus enriched; chokes out beneficial vegetation; and destroys spawning habitat creating less productive water bodies. This project will help establish buffers from adjacent land to help trap sediment before it enters the river.

Potential for Trout
Trout require cool, fast flowing water and cover. The fish habitat enhancement will include placing LUNKERS (Little Underwater Neighborhood Keepers Encompassing Rheotactic Salmonids) structures in the stream that provide cover for trout and other fish. Streambank restoration narrows the stream, increasing the velocity of the water, keeping the water cooler. LUNKERS provide excellent „hiding‰ habitat for trout. The structures are placed in the current along the banks. Reinforcing rods and large stone hold the structures in place. The stone is used as backfill and also helps to prevent erosion. Soil is placed on top of the stone and is seeded and mulched. The increased velocity of the water keeps the structures free of sediment and debris and helps to keep the water cool, just the way the trout like it.

Volunteers Needed
Deer Creek Sportsmen's Club and the Upper Sugar River Watershed Association will be teaming up with other volunteers in July to build the structures. Without volunteer help, the habitat enhancement portion of this project would not be possible. For information on dates of work parties, call Marcia Hartwig at 608-224-3746, or check the website.

The left bank in this photo has been reshaped with a gradual slope. It was later seeded and mulched. Both banks looked like the one on the right, mostly straight up and down, which contributes to erosion during periods of high water. It was eventually reshaped like the one on the left.

Contact the Upper Sugar River Watershed Association at:
207 East Main Street • PO Box 314 • Mount Horeb, WI 53572
Phone: (608) 437-7707 • Email: execdr@usrwa.org

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This page last updated August 25, 2003