More Watershed Information |
Info About Wisconsin Watershed Projects
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If you are one of the many people who had to mop water out of the basement, or decide whether or not to replant a field, it may be hard to believe that the situation could have been decidedly worse this spring. But in many places throughout the state, roads and bridges were not washed out, lives and property were not lost, and whole towns were not flooded because of steps taken decades ago.
During the 1950s through the 1970s, 87 dams were built in 26 Wisconsin watersheds through the Watershed Flood Prevention Act (PL566). These dams are still there, performing as designed, holding back thousands of “acre-feet” of water -- the equivalent of thousands of acres of land covered in a foot of water. During and after major rains, the dams release the water slowly, preventing flooding downstream.
In an average year, these watershed projects reduce flood damages on crops, roads and communities by an estimated $2 million, according the the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. This year, with the unrelenting heavy rains, the estimated reduction is $15 million less in flood damages.
“This year's spring flooding proves the value of these flood control structures,” says Pat Leavenworth, State Conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Wisconsin. NRCS is responsible for the PL566 program.
Wisconsin was one of four pilot states to receive $4 million in funding for PL-566 dam rehabilitation, to repair and restore many of these older structures that were nearing the end of their lifespan. Over the decades, some dams showed signs of pipe separations or cracks, sediment build-up or safety concerns. To date, 11 structures in seven counties have been rehabilitated or are in progress through the PL566 Dam Rehabilitation Pilot Project.
Vernon County in western Wisconsin has 22 dams mainly built in the 1960s, through PL566. Vernon County has received 12.5 inches of rain in the past four weeks. Resource Conservationist Phil Hahn noted that the principal spillway pipes on several dams in the county have had full flow three times this spring. Without these, we would have seen major flooding, bridges washed out, sediment dumped on crops and roads, and homes nearest the West Fork of Kickapoo River would have flooded. Two of these dams were repaired in the last four years to restore full function and safety through the PL566 Pilot Dam Rehab Project.
Richland County Conservationist Cathy Cooper reports that the county has received 13 inches of rain in May and another 5 inches in June. A single storm on May 21st brought 5.1 inches of rain and another on May 23 brought 2.5 inches. The Mill Creek PL566 project, completed in 1962, and Pine River Dike, completed in 1996, saved the community from almost certain flash flooding and extensive damage.
For more information about PL566 dams and watershed projects, check the NRCS Wisconsin website at www.wi.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/watersheds.html
New Watershed Project Shows Its Value
Fond du Lac County has been extremely hard hit with continuous rains this spring. The Village of North Fond du Lac just completed a watershed project in 1997. By reconnecting a tributary to Anderson Creek, the village is now no longer in the tributary’s floodplain. The North Fond du Lac Watershed received 20 inches of rain over the past six weeks. The diversion between the tributary and Anderson Creek has flowed full at least three times so far. The project removed 44 homes from the floodplain, that would surely have been flooded. In addition, the brand new Horace Mann High School and Middle School suffered no flood damage.
According to Erv Lesczynski, District Conservationist for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Fond du Lac County, the nearly continuous rains have caused some damage in North Fond du Lac; however, the damage would have been very extensive.
“We were amazed at how few problems we had with the stormwater system and the improvements played a large part in it. Everything worked extremely well and we’re thrilled, to say the least,” says Mike Tolvstad, Director of Public Works for the Village of North Fond du Lac . “All the improvements from the watershed projects worked just wonderfully,” said Tolvstad.
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