Section 206 Preliminary Restoration Plan –

Restoration Project of the Baraboo River

1. Project: Restoration of the Baraboo River

2. Location: The Baraboo River flows in a southeasterly direction through south central Wisconsin. Joining the Wisconsin River just south of the City of Portage, the Baraboo River flows through the City of Baraboo, which is approximately 25 miles upstream from its mouth. Its headwaters originate in Monroe County, Wisconsin and flow southeast through Sauk County to the confluence of the Baraboo and the Wisconsin River.

3. Description of the Proposed Ecosystem Restoration

Background

The Baraboo River flows approximately 74 miles from its headwaters near Hillsboro to its confluence with the Wisconsin River south of Portage. Its watershed encompasses 650 square miles, or about 415,000 acres and drops over 150 feet in elevation. However, forty-five feet of that gradient occurs in a four to five mile stretch of the river through the City of Baraboo. This concentration of relatively steep gradient was recognized by early white settlers for its potential to generate mechanical power and in 1837 settlers began constructing dams in this reach of the river Dams transformed the Baraboo Rapids segment of the river from a fast-moving stream with healthy fish populations to a series of sluggish impoundments. Over the years two dams were removed (the latest in 1997), re-exposing a portion of the former rapids.

The dams located on the Baraboo River system are run of the river type of structures that date to the water power era beginning in the 1840s and 1850s. These dams were authorized under the Milldam Act, which dates to early statehood. This act encouraged the development of dams for waterpower for logging and milling purposes. However, the remaining dams on the Baraboo River do not have habitat values worthy of preservation. The millponds on the Baraboo system have deteriorated substantially because of sediment loading, water quality is poor, and aquatic habitat is severely degraded. The dam sites are along steep gradient reaches of the river and, course substrate, and other high quality habitat niches have been smothered by sediment. In Baraboo, the river descends more the 50 feet through the city limits and, this is the steepest gradient along the river. Rocky riverbed with riffle, pool, run, habitat, and fast moving well-oxygenated water has been impounded.

The dams on the river contribute to habitat fragmentation. The Baraboo River joins the Wisconsin River at Portage approximately 15 to 20 miles downstream of the dams in Baraboo. The Wisconsin River system has a very complex fishery with several species of game fish including walleye, sauger, northern pike, large and small mouth bass, sturgeon, and catfish. The Baraboo dams restrict movement of game and forage fish species from the Wisconsin River system into the upper reaches of the Baraboo River. Upstream areas in the Baraboo are not fully populated by all of the species present in the system. A survey by DNR fisheries staff found that ten species were present below the lower dam in Baraboo that were not found above. The dams prevent the Baraboo River from serving as a nursery area for the Wisconsin River fishery.

Regional Map of the Baraboo River and Project Area

Restoration Objective

The objective of this project is to complete the removal of the dams on the Baraboo River, restore and enhance aquatic habitat, and restore and enhance riparian habitat and wetlands. Removal of the dams in Baraboo will reconnect the Baraboo River with the complex fishery in the Wisconsin River system. Habitat covered by sediment will be restored through natural river processes and by the construction of riprap and instream habitat structures. In addition, the restoration and enhancement of riparian habitat will also be conducted where feasible.

Sediment in the millponds will be transported downstream or mechanically removed and the steep gradient reach of the river will be restored to the pre-dam condition. Fine silty riverbed deposits with sluggish flow conditions will be replaced by course gravel deposits on bars and spits, cobble and boulder riffle and pools. River velocities, through the City, will increase dramatically and riffle areas will reach their full food production potential with better aeration and higher dissolved oxygen in the water column. Riffle spawning fish will then be able to use this area for feeding, spawning, and rearing and for permanent habitat.

 Resource Description

The total length of the river is about 74 miles long with a gradient of 1.59 feet/mile. The Baraboo River has an average width of 35 feet and an average depth of 5.6 feet. It has a flow of approximately 374 cfs and has a watershed of about 565 square miles. The river has been estimated to have a surface area of 267.3 acres, but it is unknown if that number includes the impoundments created by the dams or not. The total length of the river is 76.3 miles long with a gradient of 1.59 feet/mile. The approximate total number of acres of wetland areas is 5648 included in the riparian zone.

Mean annual discharge at Hwy W, 5 miles downstream from Baraboo, is 14.3 cubic meters/sec. Peak annual flow is typically 100-200 cubic meters/second (USGS). Stream width is 100-200 feet. Alkalinity is usually 150 mg/l CaCO, conductivity 325 umhos, total nitrogen is .6 mg/l and total phosphorus is .175 mg/l. High levels of fecal coliform and fecal strep (i.e. 2500/100 ml) are periodically noted from water samples probably reflecting riparian livestock use (WDNR water quality). In general, the river runs very turbid, also reflecting intensive agricultural use of the watershed. Aquatic vegetation is sparse.

The dominant sport fishery includes Northern Pike, smallmouth bass, and channel catfish. Panfish are common, and rough and forage fish are abundant. Waterfowl hunting and canoeing are listed as important recreational functions. The 400 Trail is a 22-mile long trail that runs nearly adjacent to the Baraboo between Reedsburg and Elroy. It was built in June 1993 on the old Chicago Northwestern rail bed. The recreational trail is used by bikers, hikers, snowmobilers and cross-country skiers. In 1998 alone, the number of users was totaled at about 30,000 people.

Land use along the river system appears to have agricultural use in the majority. Agricultural fields extend throughout the watershed and end at the river corridor, where a narrow forested line abuts the riverbank. Beginning at Reedsburg and extending upstream along the Baraboo and most tributaries, is a narrow shrub and timber swamp wetland corridor. From the southern end of Baraboo to the Columbia County line, there is a minor presence of wetland pockets within the narrow forested corridor. The Baraboo River Corridor has many types of relict plant and forest communities listed along tributaries, such as the Floodplain Forest and Wet-Mesic Prairie, in addition to Pine and Hemlock Relicts. There were also a number of habitat sites for threatened and endangered resources within the Natural Heritage Inventory in the riparian zone of the river. In Sauk County, there are six municipalities adjacent to the Baraboo River. The majority of the urban land use adjacent to the Baraboo River occurs within those cities’ limits.

General Basin Geology

There are two types of topography in the lower Wisconsin River basin which have resulted from two geologic environments. The eastern-quarter has rolling hills and wide, level valley floors that were the result of unconsolidated glacial and alluvial deposits overlying the bedrock. The western three-fourths has rugged, steep-walled valleys and generally high relief that are the result of streams that cut deeply into the slopes.

The geologic structure is totally responsible for the drainage pattern in the western area, while the drainage in the eastern glacial area is controlled primarily by the topography of the underlying bedrock. Preglacial bedrock valleys, which are nearly filled without glacial debris, form natural drainage ways. Both areas are well drained.

Surface bedrock of the basin area consists of sandstone and dolomite. Unconsolidated deposits consisting of glacial drift and alluvium occur throughout the basin. The glacial drift of the eastern one-fourth consists mainly of end moraine and thin gravel moraine. The western three-fourths is part of the "Driftless Area" and has no drift except for thick, reworked sand and gravel deposits in the Wisconsin River Valley and thin lake deposits in most of the tributary valleys.

The headwaters of the Baraboo River begin in the "Driftless Area" and join the Wisconsin River in the "Central Plain" region near Portage. The Baraboo River descends at an approximate rate of 3 ½ feet to the mile. The most prominent topographic feature of Sauk County is the Baraboo Bluffs, which attain a height in excess of 1,600 feet above sea level and tower approximately 800 feet above adjacent bottoms of river valleys. The Baraboo valley extends east and west through Sauk County with a large portion of the valley lying between the north and south ranges of the Baraboo Bluffs. Glacial drift consisting of sand and gravel is abundant in the area, with alluvial sand and gravel filling the Baraboo Valley.

Restoration Progress to Date

Most of the restoration has taken place within the City of Baraboo. The Waterworks Dam was removed in 1997. The survey by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) fisheries biologists revealed vast differences in both abundance and diversity of fish species between the impoundments and riffle areas. Ten species of fish found below the lowest dam were not found between or above the dams, including walleye, sauger, burbot and lake sturgeon. Upon inspection, the city-owned Waterworks dam revealed deficiencies in its structure, maintenance and flood routing capacity. The City was given the option of either making the necessary repairs necessary to bring the dam up to state codes or remove it. After hiring an outside consultant to study the feasibility and cost of the options, the City decided to remove the dam, which provided no economic value. This removal caused much public debate; however, it was eventually removed and was the first of three dams in the City that are slated for removal. By removing the Waterworks Dam, the City of Baraboo has permanently eliminated a major current and future liability, for less than one-third the cost of repairing the structure. In addition, three-quarters of a mile of high-quality riffle habitat, rare in southern Wisconsin rivers, has been restored to its free-flowing condition following removal of the Waterworks Dam. Full function will be restored once remaining sediment scours itself from the former impoundment.

Monitoring Activities

The primary goals of the study are to assess fish community composition, macroinvertebrate populations and habitat conditions before and after each removal and habitat restoration. Since the dams are considered "low-head" run of the river structures, water quality is not expected to show drastic improvement---rather, fisheries and aquatic organisms are expected to respond favorably to improved riverine habitat and the removal of barriers to migration.

In 1997, fish populations were sampled within the impoundments with mini-boom shockers, while riffle based fish communities were sampled with towed stream shockers within the fast currents below the dams. Fish populations below the dams were more typical of healthy riverine communities (darters, redhorse, etc.) while the impounded sections contained high populations of carp. Additional sampling is anticipated for the 1999 season to evaluate community changes following the removal of the middle dam, as the river conditions stabilize.

Macroinvertebrate sampling has been conducted in two phases as well. Annual spring qualitative samples were collected within the riffle zones below each of the dams in 1997 and 1998. Qualitative samples are used as water quality indicators. Since habitat and water quality within the riffle zones are not expected to change appreciably, macroinvertebrate communities at these locations are not expected to change either. However, in the newly restored riffle areas, the diversity and quality of the macroinvertebrate community is expected to improve significantly. In 1997, quantitative macroinvertebrate samples were collected within the impoundment above the middle dam. This effort will be duplicated in 1999 to determine community changes and abundance after natural riverine conditions are restored. Mayflies and caddisflies are expected to increase as the river is restored.

Even though many water quality improvements are expected to be more subtle as the dams are removed, monthly water chemistry samples will be collected to characterize the river water quality. This effort is being conducted at several locations along the river. In 1997, 33 quantitative samples were collected in an effort to document macroinvertebrate community composition prior to dam removal. Another 33 samples are expected to be collected in 1999.

Monitoring efforts will also use the Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) in to assess the change in water quality and habitat condition as a result of the restoration activities. The IBI consists of a series of fish community attributes termed metrics, which reflect basic structural and functional characteristics of biotic assemblages: species composition and richness, trophic and reproductive function, and individual abundance and condition. The number and identity of metrics differ among different versions of the IBI, but all versions have metrics that measure both structural and functional characteristics of fish communities.

Description of the Restoration Activities

Dam Removals

Described below is the general process that will be used for the removal of the LaValle, Oak St., and Linen Mill dams. Specific information related to each site will be described in more detail.

Removal will begin with a breach of the spillway and a slow drawdown of the millponds. Sediment accumulation in the millpond will be evaluated after drawdown, and it may be mechanically removed via dredging. The spillway will be removed and concrete and rock will be used to fill in the power canal. The headrace area will be filled with material from the spillway along with additional material to form the bank area in line with upstream and downstream banks. Power lines will need to be relocated; disturbed banks will be shaped, topdressed, and seeded. A hydraulic hammer mounted on a backhoe will be used for demolition work. Excavation and grading activity will also occur. Explosives may be necessary to remove concrete below the bed of the river. The silty material, if removed, will be landspread and the waste not incorporated into the site restoration will be trucked off site for disposal. Other changes to terrestrial resources involve improvements to streets, buildings, and construction of trails

Description of the Linen Mill Dam

The Linen Mill Dam is located at the downstream side and just east of the City of Baraboo, 45 miles northeast of Madison in Section 6, T11N, R7E. The dam was originally constructed in 1898 and has been modified, rebuilt, and rehabilitated. The length of the maximum pool upstream of the dam is approximately 1.5 miles and the size of the pool is 7 acres. The dam consists of a small powerhouse, a large uncontrolled spillway and a small auxiliary spillway. The original use of the dam was to provide power for a linen mill. It presently is used to produce a small amount of electrical power. The structural portions of the facility consist of timber, concrete, masonry, rock and gravel fill, and earth. At present, the dam is in a serious state of deterioration and will eventually be removed. The bottom of the impounded area consists of sand and silt.

As stated above, this dam will be eventually removed. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources has an option to remove the dam if the electrical power generation interests can be purchased from the owner. In order to achieve the fish and wildlife benefits for river, such as providing spawning areas for Walleye, Sauger, and other fish species, and to provide access to the spawning areas upstream for these species and other species such as Lake Sturgeon—it is imperative that this dam be removed.

Site of the Linen Mill Dam

Description of the Waterworks Dam

The waterworks dam was removed in the fall of 1997. Positive changes in the habitat were immediately evident and additional monitoring is expected to show increased fishery benefits.

The City of Baraboo has proposed that restoration of the power channel be included in this project.

Map of the Former Waterworks Dam Site

Description of the Oak St. Dam

The following description was taken from the Environmental Assessment prepared by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. A Corps of Engineers inspection report (1980) states that the dam was originally constructed in 1885 of timber and rock. The dam was used to generate power a flourmill and for a towel mill factory beginning in 1910. In 1922, modifications of the flume were completed to transform the dam to hydroelectric power generation. The present concrete dam was built in 1929, and it was built on the downstream face of the old timer crib dam. The downstream apron was constructed to its present dimensions in 1940.

The McArthur family has owned the dam since 1898, and the current owner is Steven McArthur of Baraboo. Mr. McArthur also owns the Linen Mill Dam on the Baraboo River located approximately 1.5 miles downstream of the Oak Street Dam. Mr. McArthur has granted an option to the Department of Natural Resources to purchase the dam spillways for both Oak Street and Linen Mill. Both spillways will eventually be removed.

The dam has created an impoundment of 64 - 195 acre-feet, surface area of 16 - 38 acres and a length of 0.8 miles. The millpond will be eliminated and the river channel restored to pre-dam dimensions. A steep river gradient is present at the dam site, and water will move through the area at a velocity higher than most area along the river. Soundings indicate that the bed in the millpond is made up of coarse gravel, cobble, and large boulders, along with silt deposits. A large riffle or rapid complex will be present in areas directly upstream of the spillway. This complex will provide excellent habitat and water quality for aquatic species.

The raceway/power channel is an excavated lined channel about 300 linear ft. and 28' - 26' wide, which leads to the powerhouse. It has poor overall water quality, even though residence time is short. Sediment buildups occur, and habitat values are limited. The power channel will be filled and completely eliminated. The dam is constructed concrete. It's an unregulated/upgrated concrete spillway 207.5' long. The top width is 2.7' with an 18' wide apron. The structural height is 12.4' with a head of 8.0' at the powerhouse.

The excavated raceway which begins 50' from the dam on the left bank facing downstream and re-enters the river about 250' downstream from the dam. Outlet capacity of the powerhouse is 144 cfs. The powerhouse contains a 130 HP turbine. Water Street passes over the raceway/power channel at the headrace and just before entry into the powerhouse.

In addition, to the removal of the dam and the work done on the powerhouse, bank stabilization and habitat enhancement will also be accomplished. This should add to the benefits to the aquatic environment that are achieved by the removal of the dam.

Location of the Oak St. Dam