Trout Stream Reflections

Subhead

It has been said “A rising tide lifts all boats”. This aphorism commonly is used in reference to economic practices that when implemented benefit all people and by extension, have positive influences on a broad range of interconnected features / facets of our community.  In truth, a similar statement applies to caring for and restoring trout streams. Restoration practices applied to trout waters, to be effective, include caring for many features on the landscape that are connected to streams within its valley or riparian corridor.

Features as natural as free flowing water within a river system are fundamental to what a river is and to what the fish do as they live within the river. One more step toward what is natural for a trout stream is its connection with groundwater. Ground-water enters streams through springs, seeps and up-welling flows and is an iconic association with trout streams in the Midwest. Groundwater, which has a temperature near 50 F all year, acts to cool streams in the heat of summer and bathes them in warmth during winter, to the benefit of all aquatic stream life.

Over decades of time natural stream flows are diminished by failing culverts at road crossings and land practices that encourage erosion. Erosion of stream banks fills stream beds with sediment causing the stream to become wide and shallow, thereby raising the stream bed above the water table, effectively disconnecting the stream from ground water. Failed culverts restrict flow and prevent natural flushing that washes sediment from stream beds during heavy rains and snow melt. Poor drainage has negative effects on public transportation at road crossings and for agri-business uses of the landscape as well as affecting life in streams.

Invasive trees and shrubs like buckthorn and honey suckle frequently grow in the riparian zone along trout streams in dense stands that out complete native vegetation. Their removal encourages natural growth of tag alder, which provides food and cover for numerous species. For example, large mammals like deer and black bear as well as small mammals like rabbits, hares, foxes and beavers. Songbirds which feed on the insects along streams benefit from the shelter tag alder provide.

Land management practices removing these invasives have particular benefit to ruffed grouse and woodcock that utilize alder thickets as cover at some point throughout the year. Along trout streams young alder stands generally have high stem densities and can provide secure feeding areas for woodcock and ruffed grouse.

On upland sites, alder canopies limit the sunlight and amount of herbaceous plants at ground level. This opens it up for smaller animals and game bird broods to move around with good predator detection, while providing a shady spot to get out of the sun. Ruffed grouse often use alder stands as drumming sites, selecting a log with good visibility around them. It’s common to find nests and broods in alder thickets on upland sites.

So the ”rising tide that lifts our trout streams”, and positively influences a broad range of interconnected facets of our community, is the sharing of accountability. Caring for trout streams and the valleys through which they flow comes with a financial cost. Fortunately, in many cases in Central Wisconsin the costs are shared among conservations groups, land and county organizations, DNR and local municipalities.

 

The Trout Unlimited chapters of the Central Wisconsin Region have contributed funds to these efforts for more than 45 years. Chapters like Central Wisconsin TU, Fox Valley TU, Frank Hornberg TU and Shaw-paca TU continue to contribute to the mutual health of our streams.

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  • Trout Stream Reflections
    Trout Stream Reflections