Lower Middle Sugar River Watershed (SP12)

The Lower Middle Sugar River watershed, depicted in the map accompanying the Lower Sugar River watershed (above), is located in eastern Green County and a very small portion of Rock County. Agriculture is the predominant land use. Two permitted wastewater treatment facilities discharge to surface water in the watershed: the village of Albany and the city of Brodhead. A large wetland complex exists adjacent to the Sugar River in this watershed. Other large areas of wetlands have been drained and put into cultivation. The Sugar River in this watershed is considered to be exceptional resource waters (ERW) under the state's antidegradation rules.

Norwegian Creek

Norwegian Creek, a small stream tributary to the Sugar River above Brodhead, has a diverse forage fishery, though game fish may be found very near its mouth (Bush et.al., 1980). Much of the stream has been straightened. The least darter, a species on the state watch list, has been found in the stream (Fago, 1982). The stream has recently been added to the state's antidegradation list under administrative codes NR 102 as an Exceptional Resource Water (ERW). A narrow wetland buffer exists along the stream's lower reaches. Many of these wetland areas have been disturbed by grazing or prior farming. Other large areas of wetlands have been drained and put into cultivation.

Sugar River

The Sugar River in this reach is classified and managed as a warm water sport fishery, and possesses an excellent diversity of sport fish. The Green County reach was recently added to the state's antidegradation waters list as exceptional resource waters (ERW). One state threatened and one state watch species of clam are known to reside in this reach of the stream (WDNR, 1993³¹). The gravel chub, on the state's endangered species list, and the river redhorse, redfin shiner and the weed shiner, on the state's watch species list have also been found in this reach (Fago, 1982).

The dam on the Sugar River forming Decatur Lake is undergoing relicensing through the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). One option that has been suggested for this dam is the abandonment of the three-mile mill race, to return a more stream-like environment instead of the lake environment that presently exists. This option requires a minimum flow of 40 cubic feet per second (cfs) to handle treated wastewater effluent from the Brodhead wastewater treatment plant (WDNR, 1993^26,31). In an investigation of the desirability and feasibility of this option, studies should evaluate water quality, in-stream habitat, and fisheries of both the mill race and the main stem of the Sugar River.

Any comments or suggestions, please email the watershed contact Jim Amrhein.