The Baraboo River A Rebounding Fishery Healthy Watersheds and its Watershed River Facts The Baraboo River fishery is recovering after removal of the Make Healthy Rivers ELROY-SPARTA STATE TRAIL • The Baraboo is once again a free-flowing river. An effort began last dams that impeded fish passage into the upstream waters. The quality of our lakes and rivers is a reflection of how we take in the mid-1990s to restore the river through dam removal, Native Americans praised the fishery and local newspapers in the care of our land. Waterfront property owners, inland residents, culminating in October, 2001 with removal of the Linen Mill 1860s report 30-pound northern pike, stringers full of bass and recreational users, agricultural producers and other businesses all catfish, and 100-pound sturgeon being caught. Valley C dam. Now recognized nationally, the Baraboo is the longest ydon re play a role in maintaining and improving the water quality in our L ek stretch of U.S. river restored through dam removal. 80 At the same time however, the developing communities were lakes and rivers. KENDALL • The DNR’s Priority Watershed Program was a key to river building dams to provide power to meet the needs of an

71 F There are a number of simple steps you can take to protect the o

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n 82 k renewal. More than 500 participating landowners, especially expanding population. The dams benefited the new residents t ee a Cr river or lake in your watershed. i er n v Clea C farmers, installed conservation practices, reduced pollution and but also had a negative impact on the rich Baraboo River fishery. r Jeff Seering photo e e k helped improve water quality. The dams obstructed fish passage by limiting the movement into • Properly dispose of garbage while on the river. It can

Gene Dalhoff photo A quiet stretch between Wonewoc and La Valle. upstream cooler, shallower waters, their ideal spawning habitats. be easy to lose track of your garbage if you tip your canoe. • About 120 miles long, with a watershed area of 655 square Please keep all garbage secured in your boat so you can dispose ELROY The impoundments behind the dams slowed water flows and Autumn view upstream from the miles, the Baraboo River begins in Monroe County near Kendall of it when you return home. Highway 12 bridge in Baraboo. deposited sediment on the gravel and rock riffles, the best habitat and ends at the Wisconsin River near Portage. It is the fourth Paddling Information for fish to spawn. • Properly dispose of household hazardous waste. Do not largest tributary to the Wisconsin River. • The average annual flow is 383 cubic feet per second (cfs). By the 1990s these combined impacts had taken their toll. The pour old oil or pesticides in the ditch or wash paintbrushes at the • The river falls about 150 feet in elevation over its length, Real-time daily flow downstream of Baraboo can be seen end of your driveway. Storm sewers connect directly to our rivers Sey Baraboo fishery had become dominated by carp, bullhead and mo at: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/wi/nwis/current/?type=flow ur Cre but one-third, or about 50 feet, occurs in the five-mile stretch and lakes. To learn more about how to dispose of household ek UNION suckers. Removal of the last dams along the river is reversing through Baraboo. That portion was named the “Baraboo (select site number 05405000). hazardous waste contact your Land Conservation Department. CENTER these impacts. H i 82 lls 33 80 Rapids” by early inhabitants. Use of this term gradually Cr HILL COUNTRY TRAIL • Most land along the river is privately owned. Respect private • Direct downspouts on to your lawn or landscaping not eek 33 disappeared after most of this stretch became “tamed” by Almost immediately after removal of the last dam fish started HILLSBORO property rights along the banks. No camping is allowed onto hard surfaces. Allowing water to soak in rather than

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e moving back upstream. Spring runoff events began to scour the 33 e dams, but has now returned since the dams were

33 82 r along the river, but public and private campgrounds are West Branch C run off your property filters out pollutants and replenishes our k removed and the rapids re-exposed. accumulated sediment off of the gravel beds and rock riffles. e 82 WONEWOC e available nearby; contact the local Chamber of Commerce for r groundwater. C r ig k e e B e n r r more information. Reports of crappies, bluegills, and channel catfish are common.

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80 r g • Manage your lawn to reduce pollution. Keep grass a i W B

40 G r eek 0 B B Northern and walleye pike are being caught again throughout Cr IK E E • When parking along road shoulders, pull completely off the clippings on the lawn, not on roads or sidewalks. Decomposing ek Plum re T C R the river. Smallmouth bass fishing along the rapids through the h A Lake nutrients then bond to the soil rather than flowing down storm c I pavement. L an Dutch Jeff Seering photo Br 33 Redstone th Hollow city of Baraboo is a regular occurrence. And, a small step toward Sou 58 sewers. Reduce fertilizer and pesticide applications to minimize Lake e n

o the ultimate recovery of the river is the occasional report of a t s runoff pollution. Use no-phosphorus fertilizers to reduce the d Canoeing the Baraboo near Reedsburg. e R e sturgeon being seen spawning along the shallows of the river in k a availability of this water pollutant. L the spring of the year. • Plant native trees and shrubs. A recent Wisconsin study LA VALLE r e k v k e found that lawns created much more runoff than wooded i e e R e r r C k o C e r o 33 e e areas. As a consequence the runoff from lawns carried eight b n i r ra p a C p = Baraboo River w

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i PORTAGE Paddling L similar sized wooded areas. REEDSBURG 58 IRONTON 51 Cover photo by Joe Van Berkel N 39 16 W sin 23 33 iscon 78 COUNTY COUNTY R CAZENOVIA 136 iv 33 e 12 r

r 33 For additional information about the Baraboo River region B 23 y e ll including shuttle services, restaurants, and lodging contact the a V 90 r 12 r k a e 94 e following Chambers of Commerce: k C r 33 ee C ROCK McG Cr b n b SAUK lyn a COLUMBIA B 154 N SPRINGS Baraboo Area Chamber of Commerce a rr o 136 BARABOO w PO Box 442 s wely C C 33 Ro re Paddle re e e k 600 W Chestnut St k the RAILROAD Baraboo, WI 53913 Paddle CH ERN I CAG EST 23 O HW LIME RIDGE AND RT NO Sk 1 -800 BARABOO (227-2266) 154 ill et k Cre e ek Email: [email protected] Baraboo

e k r the NORTH e C e y r 123 Website: www.baraboo.com e C l e e FREEDOM in 159 113 e P S Reedsburg Area Chamber of Commerce H 154 12 il l P 240 Railroad Street oint Creek LOGANVILLE Devil’s PO Box 142 Baraboo 23 Lake Reedsburg, WI 53959 (608) 524-2850 Email: [email protected] Website: www.reedsburg.org

Hill Country Chamber of Commerce (Located in the Farmers State Bank) Historic view of the 435 Bridge Street/Highway 33 pedestrian bridge Union Center, WI 53962 to Effinger Park in Baraboo. (608) 462-2245 Natural and Human History Email: [email protected] The river tumbles out of the hill-and-valley country of un-glaciated indigenous peoples settled along Website: www.hillcountrywi.com Wisconsin northwest of Reedsburg before flowing lazily through the river in villages, often near “Paddle the Baraboo” map courtesy of: glacial lake Reedsburg and the Baraboo Valley. At Baraboo, the these mounds. • City of Baraboo, City of Reedsburg river breaks through the terminal moraine and spills rapidly • Baraboo Area Chamber of Commerce The search for food, fuel and through the city. Before the last glacier it may have turned south • Reedsburg Area Chamber of Commerce Reedsburg Woolen Mill (above). Confluence of the Baraboo River and water also spurred white settlers • Hill Country Chamber of Commerce Narrows Creek in Rock Springs (below). here and flowed through what is now Devil’s Lake. The last to settle first along the river. • Baraboo River Canoe Club glaciation forced the channel to its present mouth at the Wisconsin Every village along the river owes • Citizens for Waterfront Revitalization river near Portage. • Sauk County Board of Supervisors its start to the water power that At its confluence with the Wisconsin River, one story goes, there fueled early commerce. As many Created by: • University of Wisconsin - Extension Basin Initiative was a French trader and trapper, who, in the eighteenth century as 11 dams powered saw, grist • Sauk County University of Wisconsin - Extension A River had a trading post called Baribeau, after himself, and the river and textile mills and eventually • Sauk County Land Conservation Department came to be referred as such. There are other theories on the generated power for street lights origins of the river’s name, but the truth is lost in time. and other electrical needs. The last remaining dam was removed Renewed The Baraboo has always lured people to its shores. The mound- in October, 2001. builders chose the river banks for many of their mounds and later Indian encampment in Babb’s Woods near Reedsburg, 1889. Encampment photo above by D.O. Stine; all other historic For questions or comments regarding the map, please contact photos courtesy of the Sauk County Historical Society the Sauk County University of Wisconsin Extension office at (608) 355-3250 during regular business hours. Graphic design by Jeffrey J. Strobel, UW-Extension Environmental Resources Center

BARABOO RIVER PADDLING SEGMENTS

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L k Jeff Seering photo Hollow e e Union Center to LaValle 58 r C Lake y a DD PADDLING BASICS: H Lazy Beaver canoe race in Reedsburg. D V ut ch Dump Rd. LaValle to Reedsburg 19 miles; 8 hour trip. H oll ow Rd k e 23 33 • Paddle through a floodplain wetland and sandstone rock outcrops. e PADDLING BASICS: r

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a Reedsburg to Rock Springs the Highway 58 Bridge. Fallen trees in this area may require you to B carry your boat around them up steep, muddy slippery banks. LA VALLE • Easy paddling through wetland forest with very

Jeff Seering photo PADDLING BASICS: S. Dewey Ave. Dewey S. r little development. Minor log jams may require 23

e Jeff Seering photo • Trip can be shortened by stopping or starting in Wonewoc. v Ski Hill Rd i you to portage around them. Small rapids in 14 miles; 6 hour trip. R

o o LaValle at bridge; stay to the right. Rapids where dam was removed b • Numerous log jams lengthen this trip and may require you to ra in La Valle. RIVER ACCESS & PARKING: a Railroad bridge between Reedsburg and Rock Springs. B 58 carry your boat around steep, muddy and slippery banks. e l • Union Center: Park at the 400 trail parking lot or Spring Valley t t RIVER ACCESS & PARKING: i Golf Course. L • LaValle: Located at the west end of Main Street and parking is RIVER ACCESS & PARKING: • Wonewoc: Landing is located at County Rd FF within the village. provided. Restrooms across street at trailhead of the 400 Bike Trail. RIVER FEATURES: • Reedsburg: Located off South Walnut Street south of the railroad Restrooms, grills and tables are available. RIVER FEATURES: • Paddle below beautiful rock outcroppings near Reedsburg and Rock RIVER FEATURES: • Douglas Park: Located off of Douglas Road near Redstone County tracks. Watch for sign and turn right through the alley past the Public Springs. • East of Wonewoc: On Highway 33 at Strawbridge Road. Park at • 3rd Castle, a 300 foot rock outcrop located just outside of Park. Park at landing. Restrooms available at County Park. • The river parallels the 400 bike trail from LaValle to Works garage. Park at the landing. No restrooms. 400 Bike Trail parking lot. Wonewoc. Reedsburg. The trail provides an excellent bicycle shuttle • River passes under several 1890s vintage railroad bridges. • Reedsburg: Located off South Walnut Street south of the railroad • Rock Springs: The landing and parking are located off Cty Rd. DD route. • LaValle: Landing is at the west end of Main Street. Restrooms across • Opportunities for combination canoe/bicycle trips. tracks. Watch for sign and turn right through the alley past the just south of Hwy 136 Bridge in Rock Springs. Restrooms are located • Passes through Ableman’s Gorge State Natural Area just upstream of street at trailhead of the 400 Bike Trail. Public Works garage. Park at the landing. No restrooms. • This stretch of the river is a bald eagle nesting area. across the street in the park. Rock Springs.

12 51 33 39 16 ROCK Wisconsin Tritz Rd 78 PORTAGE SPRINGS John Exo photo R iv d BARABOO

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c H i e o k P n R c i W Glenville John Exo photo o R P e R Rd Landing und u ki n Mo t. m S Ma all S k W a e U n e n r Paddling under the historic pedestrian bridge connecting X R Thunderbird NORTH d C W 123 Attridge and Ochsner Parks in Baraboo. W Rd W y le 113 RIVER ACCESS & PARKING:

159 e SAUK COUNTY PF e FREEDOM Row lyC e re W S e 33 k

COLUMBIA COUNTY • Glenville Landing: Located off Highway 113 at the south east corner of

W John Exo photo 12 BARABOO the city of Baraboo. Parking is available at the landing. No restrooms. PF Luebke Landing Historic stagecoach bridge down-

John Exo photo • Luebke Landing: 3 miles east of 113 on Cty Rd. W. Parking is available stream from Baraboo. at the site. No restrooms. Resting near an ancient pine stump downstream from Rock Springs. W Glenville • Highway 33 Bridge, located on Highway 33, 6 miles east of Baraboo. Landing Glenville Landing Giese Park to Glenville Landing Difficult access because of rip-rap on river bank. Park along Cty Rd. U. to the Wisconsin River No restrooms.

(Wayside) PADDLING BASICS: John Exo photo Rock Springs to Giese Park 113 PADDLING BASICS: • Highway 33 Wayside is located off highway 33 at the junction with 8 miles; 2-3 hour trip. I 90-94. Steep banks at launch site. Parking at wayside. No restrooms. PADDLING BASICS: Baraboo’s Circus World Museum on the river. 26 miles total length; 18 hour trip total. • Paddle begins with gentle current, easy paddling. River turns sharply • Cty Rd. U bridge is located on Cty Rd. U, 1.5 miles south of 33, west of 17 miles; 6 hour trip. east at the vertical rise of the Baraboo Bluffs. A 50-foot elevation • Glenville to Luebke Landing 4 miles; 3 hours. Luebke to Highway 33 Portage. Unimproved landing. Park along road. No restrooms. John Exo photo bridge 4 miles; 3 hours. Highway 33 bridge to Highway 33 Wayside 9 miles; • Easy paddling with gentle current. Minor log jams between Rock drop within the next 5 miles of river creates many riffle areas and RIVER FEATURES: • Wisconsin River access near the mouth of the Baraboo is located at Springs and North Freedom may require portages. some small Class II rapids in high water. Water flows below 250 cfs 6 hours. Highway 33 Wayside to the Wisconsin River 9 miles; 6 hours. Rocky shore between Rock Springs and North Freedom. • Skillet Creek enters the Baraboo from the south draining a large area Thunderbird Rd. Take Cty Rd. U, south to Reumann Road, then east can make passage difficult due to exposed rocks. • Most traveled portions are from Glenville Landing to Luebke Landing • North Freedom is the halfway point in this stretch. of the Baraboo Bluffs. onto Thunderbird Rd. Parking at landing. No restrooms. • This section is generally free of any obstacles to navigation. and from Luebke to Highway 33 bridge. All of these sections are less • Exposed pre-Cambrian quartzite is oldest rock formation visible in used and have poorer landings and access. RIVER FEATURES: RIVER ACCESS & PARKING: Wisconsin. RIVER FEATURES: • Travels through a hardwood forest with occasional riffle stretches. • Rock Springs: The landing and parking are located off Cty Rd. DD just RIVER ACCESS & PARKING: • Wildlife is abundant throughout this stretch, especially in the lowland • Scenery is mix of lowland forest, wetlands, fields and pasture. • Circus World Museum in Baraboo commemorates the original winter south of Hwy 136 bridge in Rock Springs. Restrooms are located in • Giese Park: Located 2 miles west of Hwy. 12 on Hatchery Road. • Occasional fallen trees or log jams may require you to carry your forest at the junction with the Wisconsin River. Occasional log jams headquarters of the Ringling Brothers Circus. park across from the landing. • Some favorite quartzite rock outcroppings and bluffs rise from the Parking is available at the park. A rustic outhouse is also available. canoe up steep, muddy and slippery banks. throughout this stretch can make travel difficult and require portages. riverbanks between Rock Springs and North Freedom. • The last dams on river were removed between 1996 - 2001 to • North Freedom: Landing and parking available in Fireman’s Park • Numerous city parks along the river and a riverwalk provide public • Highway 33 bridge to the Highway 33 Wayside is through a channelized, • An old stagecoach trail parallels the river on the east for the last mile improve water quality and restore fishery access to the river’s upper located south off of Walnut Street. Restrooms are located in the park. • Several interesting 1880s iron railroad bridges cross in this stretch. access, landings, restrooms, parking and picnic facilities. straightened section of river through an intensive agricultural area. before the Highway 33 bridge, several old bridges are still evident. reaches and feeder streams. Five dams were once located in this • Giese Park: Located 2 miles west of Hwy. 12 on Hatchery Road. • Mid-Continent Railway Museum is located along the river in North • Glenville Landing: Located off Highway 113 at the south east corner stretch and were used to generate power for Baraboo’s early • Below the Highway 33 Wayside the river flows through a mature flood • River passes through Lower Narrows, highlighting the Baraboo Bluffs, Parking is available at the park. A rustic outhouse is available. Freedom. of Baraboo. Park at the landing. No restrooms. industrial development. plain forest. High water events provide a unique canoeing experience. which rise 400 feet above the river.