Yahara Waterways Water Trail Guide – 2007 A guide to the environmental, cultural and historical treasures of the Yahara waterways. Land Shaped by the Glaciers For centuries waterways have been usable long-distance “trails and highways” prior to other forms of transportation. They played a key role in the exploration and settlement of North America. Early European settlers and Native Americans used the area for fishing, hunting and transpor- The Yahara Watershed in Dane County tation. Mail at one time was delivered by (showing sub-watersheds)

boat on the Yahara Lakes. Now only some Yahara River & Lake Mendota of our major rivers are being used for Six Mile & Pheasant Branch Dane Creeks

commercial transportation as railroads, Lake County Mendota

Lake Lake Monona highways and air transportation carry Wingra Yahara River & Lake Monona Lake Waubesa Yahara River & Lake Kegonsa

the majority of commercial traffic. The Lake Kegonsa waterway trails described within are for recreation, giving you a chance to enjoy the local blueways (paddling trails) and explore the vast array of wildlife, commune with nature, and learn about our area’s rich cultural heritage. The Yahara Watershed, or land area that drains into the Yahara River and lakes, covers 359 square miles, more than a quarter of Dane County. Much of the wa- tershed is farmed; however, the watershed also contains most of the urban land of the Madison metropolitan area. In addition, the Yahara Watershed includes

Lake Wingra Yahara Waterways – Water Trail Guide  some of the largest wetlands that are left in Dane County. The lakes’ watershed includes all or parts of five cities, seven villages and sixteen towns, and is home to about 350,000 people. Glaciers primarily shaped this area. About 15,000 years ago the glacier ice reached its maximum with the Madison area covered by about 1,000 feet of ice. About 12,000 years ago Glacial Lake Yahara connected all the present lakes, stood about 12 feet higher than present Lake Mendota, and encompassed about twice the current water area. Moving glacial ice also widened the valleys, created hills in the shape of elongated teardrops (called drumlins) and created poorly drained areas where wetlands A glacial drumlin formed. Sometimes called “the Yahara River Valley,” the area repre- sents the far western edge of the last glacier advancement. The ice also left glacial deposits of silt, sand, gravel and rock up to 350 feet deep. These deposits dammed up the existing, larger pre-glacial valleys, and formed the Yahara chain of lakes. The region is typically flat with gently undulating hills, a result of the glaciers flattening hills and filling former valleys. The gentle relief resulted in slower-moving streams and rivers than those found in the southwestern Driftless Area of Southwest Wisconsin that was not covered by glacial ice. The watershed area has rich, young (less than 15,000 year old) soils.

The First Humans Humans first inhabited this area about 11,500 years ago, living first by hunting and gathering and more recently by agriculture. The Native Americans left behind many artifacts, including hundreds of earthen mounds, many shaped like animals (Effigy Mounds). By periodically setting fire to the land, they shaped the prairie-oak savanna landscape that greeted the European settlers. When European- style farming began in the 1830s, dramatic transformations to the land and water began. Soil eroded from the new farms and washed into the lakes. People began to notice nuisance algae blooms as early as the 1880s. Draining and filling the surrounding wetlands exacerbated the problem, because wetlands had kept the sediment and nutrients from entering the lakes. Since pre-European settlement we have lost about 50 percent of the wetlands around the Yahara Lakes.

 Yahara Waterways – Water Trail Guide progressed, water quality in this area declined in direct proportion to the population Problems andPromise – The Lakes inModern Times Lake Kegonsa. Lake to Marsh Cherokee from travels your enrich and planning your aid to designed is guide This landmarks. day present behind tories his the and resource water famous this of characterphysical the of perspective fresh a as youpaddleontheYahara waterways. You will probably see some of these practices conservation practices all assist in the effort. ing, storm water detention ponds, and other rain gardens, bioinfiltration, filter fabric fenc essential to water quality improvement. The use of proper seeding and mulching, urban/urbanareas, reducing erosion from construction buffersites strips greatlyand help reducing pollution reduction in ruralrunoff areas. In are developing and sub tillage,storageminimal manure handling, safe and farming, rotations,crop and land, andstreets.It isthegreatest threat totheYahara River anditslakes. and toxic chemicals that are washed into the water from farms, fields, developing pesticides sediment, nutrients, excess includes pollution of kind This pollution. runoff or non-point reduce to citizens and developers, farmers, government, of these trends, county and state officials have been partnering with other local units new construction while much farms support ever-greater numbers of generating livestock. Recognizing rapidly, increasing is population However, protected, the from away lakes. treatedeffluentis the Wetlandsage diverted and better are the lakes. increases flooding frequency and intensity, and carries contaminants waterways, directly intoerodes which runoff, of amount the increased has This sidewalks. and roofs lots, parking streets, by covered area the did so grew, areas suburban and urban the As nutrients. more and bacteria added farms, from off running growth.Sewage from growing villages and cities, along with manure and fertilizers Local water quality is a direct reflection of land use. As the 20th century 20th the As use. land of reflection direct a is quality water Local TravelingYahara offers the waterways Adoptionof conservation farming practices such as grass waterways, contour Recent years have brought progress as well as challenges. Municipal sewer - -

Yahara Waterways and thenPartners.) (Click onLakes and Watershed Commission www.danewaters.com bymissions andprojects goingto: and more information abouttheir You canfindlinks to their websites the community, them. contact that canmake agreat difference in like to getinvolved inlocalprojects this area ofthecounty. Ifyou would conservation groups are in active Several dozen water-related and Water-related Groups –Water Trail Guide - -

 Introduction Yahara Lake Names Safety Tips Between 1833 and 1835 federal To ensure you have a safe and plea- surveyors mapped out southern surable trip, please note the following boat Wisconsin. The Madison area was trip and safety information. Remember that mapped from south to north in your personal safety is your responsibility! December of 1834. The lakes were then named First Lake (Kegonsa), • Always wear a Personal Flotation Second Lake (Waubesa), Third Device (PFD) that is approved by Lake (Monona) and Fourth Lake the U.S. Coast Guard – a PFD is le- gally required for each person on- (Mendota). It was known by the board and can save your life! Native Americans as the Four Lake area or Taychopera in the Ho- • Bring an extra paddle. Chunk language. • Dress appropriately for the weather In 1855, then Governor Leonard J. and anticipate weather changes. Bring Farwell was in the midst of leading a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and extra Madison to unprecedented eco- clothes stored in a waterproof bag. nomic prosperity through estab- • Wear brightly colored clothing to lishing businesses and systematic improve your visibility to other boaters. land development promotion. As • Review your exit points and portages part of this promotion he decided before launching and be aware of that more romantic names were hazards (i.e. dams). Fish icons on the needed for the lakes. Frank trail maps indicate not only shore Hudson, a surveyor and student fishing locations but also non-mo- of tribal lore, suggested a series of torized boat launch sites. Some im- three syllable, euphonious names proved sites have a launch fee. in Chippewa or Ottawa – Men- • Boats are not allowed to come dota, which he said meant “great” into swimming areas to land. and Monona or “beautiful”. Lyman Draper, the secretary of the State • Official lake location numbers are Historical Society, additionally posted on many piers (blue reflec- tive signs with white numbers and suggested to Farwell, Waubesa or letters). These can be used to help “swan” (supposedly a settler killed provide your location to emergency an unusually large swan in that response crews if needed. See Lake area) and Kegonsa or “fish” lake as Property Numbering and Slow-No- it was known for its good fishing, Wake section below for more detailed and Yahara for the Catfish River’s information. name. • Bring drinking water and safety That same year the state legisla- equipment (1 gallon of water per ture approved the names. person per day, first aid kit, rain gear, lashing line for both bow and stern – about 15 feet long – and dry bags).  Yahara Waterways – Water Trail Guide Check • To • Incase ofemergency, contact 911. • Keep • Stay • Carry • voluntary Lake Property Numbering System, can help you in an emergency. an in you help can System, Numbering Property Lake voluntary white letters and numbers affixed to many piers. These signs, part of Dane County’s Lake Numbering System Property foodandgearcontainers inwatertight Bring • Let • Stay outoftheway ofotherboattraffic • Does • Be • Be • what directionthewindisblowing. matter no paddle to place quiet a find usually can One conditions. wind ony hrf’ dsac) r 0-I-DR Wsosn Department (Wisconsin 800-TIP-WDNR of Natural Resources) or dispatch) Sheriff’s County when youplan tobeback. the distance perhourmaybegreatly reduced. headwind, a as such conditions difficult In conditions. normal under time paddling hour each for miles two of maximum a Allow in. are you craft or should yourplans bealtered? energy? Will youbefightingwhitecaps? takemore or time more add it Will – trip your affect will winds current the orswimminginwaterwhereveralgae isvisible. your petsfromdrinking ored. Don’t swim in or drink this water or inhale it into the sinuses, and keep are visible (e.g. pea soup, floating mats, scum layers,algae where cautiousetc.) be to best orit’s therefore thepets, and humans to waterharmful is discol along theshorelines. found are features interesting the of majority Additionally,vast unsafe. the crossing the make traffichazard. also Heavyboat can serious a present can lakes large the on waves and change, suddenly can conditions wind The conditions. water and weather changing on watch a keep always boaters As you use this water trail guide, you may notice blue reflective signs, with

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blooms. for the weather conditions and the type of of type the and conditions weather the for and where you are going, who’s and going, you, are with you where signaling

rules, and

These native algae can produce toxins and andturnthebowintowake. wind contact (608)255-2345 (Dane (Dane (608)255-2345 contact device

strength Yahara Waterways tiedtoyourboat. conditions. (whistle, for the planned trip trip planned the for Considerhow mirror, –Water Trail Guide etc.) -

 Introduction Each lakeshore property on Lakes Mendota, Monona, Waubesa and Kegonsa has been assigned a unique “lake address.” The Mendota addresses begin with the letter “A”; Monona with “B”; Waubesa “C”; and Kegonsa “D”. These num- bers have been cross-referenced in the 911-computer system with the property street address. A boater in distress can report his or her location by cell phone using the nearest lake property “address” as a reference point. Similarly, a landowner who observes an emergency on the water can dial 911 and the dispatcher will be able to translate the street address to a water location.

View of Lake Wingra from McCaffery Drive

 Yahara Waterways – Water Trail Guide zone within 200 feet from the shoreline of Lakes Mendota, Monona, Waubesa Monona, Mendota, Lakes of shoreline the from 200feet within zone Slow-No-Wake of water skiers practicing andperforminginthisarea. of waterskiers feet due north of the intersection of John Nolen Drive and Lakeside Street. Beware 1,000point Parka to Law from Monona Lake on requirement this to exception an Thereis control. steerage adequate maintain and move to able is watercraft motorized a which at speed minimum the means Slow-no-wake Kegonsa. and In addition to state boating safety rules, Dane County has a slow-no-wake

Yahara Waterways

– Water Trail Guide

 Introduction