Yahara Kegonsa Focus Watershed Report PUBL-WT-711 2001 _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 2001 Comprehensive Plan for the Yahara River/Lake Kegonsa Watershed: LR06 i GOVERNOR Scott McCallum NATURAL RESOURCES BOARD Trygve A. Solberg, Chair James E. Tiefenthaler, Jr., Vice-Chair Gerald M. O'Brien, Secretary Herbert F. Behnke Howard D. Poulson Catherine L. Stepp Stephen D. Willett Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Darrell Bazzell, Secretary Franc Fennessy, Executive Assistant Steve Miller, Administrator Division of Land Susan L. Sylvester, Administrator Division of Water Ruthe E. Badger, Director South Central Regional Office Marjorie R. Devereaux, Water Leader _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 2001 Comprehensive Plan for the Yahara River/Lake Kegonsa Watershed: LR06 ii South Central Region Headquarters 3911 Fish Hatchery Road Fitchburg, Wisconsin 53711 608-275-3266 Fax: 608-275-3338 TDD: 608-275-3231 Susan J. Oshman, Land Leader Ken Johnson, Lower Rock Basin Water Team Leader Tim Galvin, Rock Basin Land Team Leader Scott McCallum, Governor Darrell Bazzell, Secretary Ruthe E. Badger, Regional Director Subject: Yahara Kegonsa Focus Watershed Report Dear Reader: This Yahara Kegonsa Focus Watershed Report is an appendix to the Rock River State of the Basin report, an "umbrella" report that will provide a broad perspective the resources of the entire Rock River Basin. The Yahara-Kegonsa Watershed Report provides detailed information about water and land resource conditions and emerging threats to these resources and a strategic direction for managing those issues. This focus watershed report is a starting point in our work to find out more about the rich land and water resources and to articulate a management approach that effectively merges citizen perception of issues with scientific understanding of resource condition. This report is part of a larger framework of data and information outlined in the Rock River State of the Basin Report, the Fish & Wildlife Habitat Plan 2001- 2006, priority watershed plans, sewer service area plans, and County Land and Water Plans. We hope this document furthers efforts to support diverse land uses and effective land and water strategies that maintain and enhance the biological and cultural strengths of the watershed. Read of the treasures this rapidly changing watershed has to offer -- enjoy its unique features -- and get informed and involved in activities that promote stewardship of its rich landscape and improved water quality. Sincerely, ________________________ ______________________ Ken Johnson, Tim Galvin Water Basin Leader Land Basin Leader _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 2001 Comprehensive Plan for the Yahara River/Lake Kegonsa Watershed: LR06 iii www.dnr.state.wi.us Quality Natural Resources Management www.wisconsin.gov Printed on Through Excellent Customer Service Recycled Paper Equal Opportunity Employer The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources provides equal opportunity in its employment, programs, services, and functions under an Affirmative Action Plan. If you have any questions, please write to Equal Opportunity Office, Department of Interior, Washington, D.C. 20240. This publication can be made available in alternative formats (large print, Braille, audio-tape, etc.) upon request. Please call Lisa Helmuth, 608-266-7768, for more information. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Box 7921 Madison, WI 53707 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Preparation of the Yahara Kegonsa Focus Watershed Report has been an effort of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Lower Rock River Basin Team with support from its partnership group and DNR field and central office staff in the Divisions of Land and Water. Many individuals contributed information, data analysis or review. Their help is much appreciated. Primary Authors: Jennifer Bardeen and Coreen Ripp Contributors: Larry Benson, Steve Fix, Isa Woo, Ken Johnson, Mike Sorge, Tim Galvin, Alan Crossley, Bruce Moore, Jim Leverance, Lisa Helmuth, Janel Pike, Suzanne Wade, Dane County Regional Planning Commission, Rock River Partnership Team, the Friends of Lake Kegonsa, and interested citizens. This publication was partially funded by a 604(b) grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 2001 Comprehensive Plan for the Yahara River/Lake Kegonsa Watershed: LR06 iv TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES ...............................................................................................................................................VIII LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................................................................VIII THE YAHARA RIVER/LAKE KEGONSA WATERSHED: LR06...................................................................... 1 IMPORTANT ISSUES............................................................................................................................................... 6 WETLANDS................................................................................................................................................................ 6 STREAMS AND RIVERS............................................................................................................................................... 6 NON-POINT SOURCE POLLUTION............................................................................................................................... 6 POINT SOURCE POLLUTION ....................................................................................................................................... 6 DAMS ........................................................................................................................................................................ 7 DRINKING WATER AND GROUNDWATER ................................................................................................................... 7 WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES.......................................................................................................................................... 7 GRANTS PROGRAM.................................................................................................................................................... 7 RECOMMENDATIONS............................................................................................................................................ 7 MAKING PEOPLE OUR STRENGTH ............................................................................................................................. 7 SUSTAINING ECOSYSTEMS......................................................................................................................................... 8 PROVIDING OUTDOOR RECREATION.......................................................................................................................... 9 PROTECTING PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY .............................................................................................................. 9 SURFACE WATER RESOURCES .......................................................................................................................... 9 YAHARA RIVER ......................................................................................................................................................... 9 LOWER MUD LAKE.................................................................................................................................................. 10 LOWER MUD LAKE WETLANDS............................................................................................................................... 11 KEENAN CREEK....................................................................................................................................................... 12 LAKE KEGONSA....................................................................................................................................................... 12 LITTLE DOOR CREEK............................................................................................................................................... 13 DOOR CREEK........................................................................................................................................................... 13 DOOR CREEK WETLANDS........................................................................................................................................ 14 LEUTEN CREEK ....................................................................................................................................................... 15 VIRGIN LAKE........................................................................................................................................................... 15 STOUGHTON MILLPOND .......................................................................................................................................... 15 GIBBS CREEK .......................................................................................................................................................... 15 GIBBS LAKE ...........................................................................................................................................................