Farmer Works to Keep the Sugar River Clean
The West Branch of the Sugar River runs through Steve Haak's farm in southern Wisconsin. He loves nothing better than to fish for trout, and works tirelessly to keep the Sugar a sweet fishery.
An early snow melt washed manure into the Sugar River and 12 hours later it reached our farm. The river was brown. It smelled and I spent the morning counting dead fish.
DNR South Central Regional Director Lloyd Eagan, right, presents Steve Haak, left, with an appreciation award for his work to help prevent runoff pollution.
Haak's latest effort was recording a public service announcement as part of the DNR's Prevent Manure Runoff outreach efforts. Hear his story:
Thumbnails link to larger images.
A Hard-Won Success...
As current board president and longtime member of the Upper Sugar River Watershed Association, Haak has spent thousands of hours advocating for the Sugar River, securing grants for restoration efforts, and building and installing structures in the stream and along its banks to improve trout habitat.
His hard work, and that of scores of other dedicated people, paid off in October 2004 when a 19-mile stretch of the West Branch Sugar River became the first Wisconsin River to be removed from EPA’s list of impaired waters because of its environmental restoration. Read about the:
West Branch Sugar River Restoration
...Becomes a Smelly Mess...
Less than 6 months after celebrating the Sugar's historic return, Haak was counting dead fish in the river. Read more about the incident:
Cultivating a Better Solution
Healthy farms, water protectors and communities are shaping better ways to manage manure.
December 2006 Natural Resources Magazine
...And Now Recovers
Haak and other members of the Upper Sugar River Watershed Association are working with DNR, other government partners, and conservation groups to help the river recover.
One example: a study USWRA helped engineer to identify other steep-sloped farm fields that could present a greater-risk of runoff to the West Branch of the Sugar River if manure was spread on them.
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