The Castle Rock Watershed Restoration Project

Project Summary and Objectives

Castle Rock and Doc Smith Creeks are excellent trout streams that are impacted by nonpoint source pollution. A watershed group has formed and is coordinating an effort to address this problem. The objective of this project is to install best management practices (stream bank protection, fish habitat structures, etc.) to restore the stream and the trout fishery.

Project Description and Need

The Castle Rock Creek/Doc Smith Branch is a subwatershed of the Blue River Watershed. It was selected as eligible for funding for cost sharing of installation of best management practices under the State of Wisconsin's Nonpoint Source Abatement Program. Certain stream reaches in this subwatershed are listed as impaired according to EPA's 303d list of impaired waters. The main problems that degrade the water quality stem from nonpoint source pollution. Streambank erosion, overgrazing, excessive nutrient runoff and other problems plague this watershed. However, this stream is also the location of one of the most popular trout fisheries in Southern Wisconsin. The reach downstream of the areas with the nonpoint source pollution problems is a Category 5 (special fishing regulations) designated trophy trout fishery and is a designated Outstanding Resource Water according to the antidegradation rule. Fish kills in the trophy trout area have occurred. Control of nonpoint source pollution is needed so that this stream can reach its full biological and recreational potential.

A partnership group has formed which involves landowners, users, conservation organizations, and federal, state, and local agencies to address this problem. In association with this partnership group the Grant County Land Conservation Department received a grant from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources totaling $150,000 to provide cost sharing for the installation of best management practices. These best management practices (streambank riprapping, barnyard runoff control, streambank fencing, and critical area stabilization) will be installed to control nonpoint source pollution.

As stated earlier, this project has the broad support of governmental agencies, landowners, and private organizations. The watershed organization sponsoring this effort hopes to use this project in a way that will enhance the cooperation between the landowners, users and management agencies. This project will have educational benefits that go beyond the actual stream restoration project in that the site will likely be used by area schools and organizations as a streambank restoration demonstration site.

All landowners that cooperate in this project and receive grant funding for stream restoration will sign contracts/easements that insure the installed work that will be maintained. An example of a contact has been attached. In some cases, where desirable, public access for fishing will be obtained along with the restoration of the stream. The watershed group will continue to act as stewards of this resource area along with appropriate assistance from the management agencies.

If you would like to become involved with this restoration effort----contact Andy Morton, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (608-275-3311) or e-mail Andy Morton

Last Revised: Tuesday August 15 2006