Central Wisconsin Chapter of Trout Unlimited
Conserving, Protecting and Restoring Coldwater Fisheries
CWTU River Keepers
New water monitors training on the Waupaca River
Central Wisconsin Trout Unlimited has been actively involved in water monitoring since 2004. We are working in partnership with the WDNR's Water Action Volunteers. Currently, we are monitoring 55 steam sites with 38 teams and 95 volunteers.
CWTU River Keepers are looking for volunteers who would like to join their Central Wisconsin River Keepers group. Volunteers do not have to be Trout Unlimited members to participate. River Keepers are advocates for area streams, they monitor their streams once a month, they are watchdogs for invasive species and environmental problems, and they are organized into small teams that are responsible for specific streams. The program has been in existence for 15 years and it has been conducted with the support of the University of Wisconsin Extension and the Wisconsin DNR.
While water monitoring, River Keepers record water temperature, stream turbidity, the amount of flow, habitat quality, bug life, and the amount of dissolved oxygen. This data is posted on the Water Action Volunteers website (http://watermonitoring.uwex.edu/wav), which is available for public use. The experience in fun and rewarding.
To sign up to become a River Keeper and to attend the training session contact Bob Jozwowski (920-765-1887) or E-mail at bobjozwowski@gmail.com.
Water Monitoring Recording sheets: Need to run some off? Go to: http://watermonitoring.uwex.edu/wav/monitoring/sheets.html
Wave Training
A full day of Water Action Volunteer training is scheduled for Saturday, May 11, 2019, at the Wild Rose Fish Hatchery (Hwy 22 north of Wild Rose). Those attending will be instructed on WAV procedures for collecting stream data on temperature, flow rate, dissolved oxygen, water clarity, macro invertebrate (bugs) identification, and Habitat Assessment.
After completion of the training, you will be assigned to a team that will monitor a streams(s) in your area once a month from May through October. The monitoring procedure usually takes an hour. Bring you waders and a bag lunch.
This is also a good opportunity for existing team members to attend a refresher course on monitoring procedures.
If you would like to attend, contact Bob Jozwowski at bobjozwowski@gmail.com or 920-765-1887
Dissolved Oxygen Kit Returns
Dissolved Oxygen Kits which were collected last November have been refurbished with new chemicals and will be ready for pickup on Tuesday, April 9, at 5:00pm upstairs at the Fin N Feather restaurant prior to the CWTU board meeting. If you cannot make this pickup date, have one of your team members make the pickup or contact Bob Jozwowski at bobjozwowski@gmail.com or 920-765-1887 for alternate arrangements.
2018 River Keeper of the Year Award
Bob Jozwowski presenting the River Keeper of the Year Award to Lynn and Frank Druecke.
At the 2018 Wrap-up meeting for the CWTU River Keepers WAV stream monitoring season, the River Keeper of the Year Award was presented to Lynn and Frank Dreucke. Lynn and Frank have been long time tenured participants in the WAV program going bsck 12 years. They have been active monitors on three streams in Waushara County, West Branch of the White River, Bird Creek, and Willow Creek for over 6 years. Lynn and Frank have also volunteered to collect dissolved oxygen kits at the end of the season and refurbish the chemicals in each kit for redistribution to CWTU River Keeper teams. Frank has also helped man our River Keepers booth at Cabin Fever Days and Trout Fest to recruit new monitoring teams. The sure have made my job easier and it has been a pleasure to partner with them on our stream monitoring locations.
2018 Wisconsin Volunteer Stream Monitoring Award Recipients
The University of Wisconsin-Extension and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources are pleased to recognize these individuals for their efforts leading to increased participation in stream monitoring, collecting stream data, and sharing their knowledge and data. These awards were presented April 20, 2018, at the Water Action Volunteer Symposium in Stevens Point, WI. s
Outstanding Organization: Central Wisconsin Trout Unlimited (CWTU) Riverkeepers. The Central Wisconsin Chapter of Trout Unlimited has been involved in water monitoring for over ten years, modeling the positive impacts of gaining and sharing knowledge through citizen science. The Riverkeepers monitor 25 sites in multiple counties while continuing to seek new volunteers and new stream sites. They work closely with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) staff to monitor high priority streams where data is needed, and where their monitoring can save DNR staff time and money. The CWTU is also involved in the assessment of fish habitat structures, streambank restoration, and the expansion of water quality projects. Pictured (left to right) are Peggy Compton, UW-Extenstion Water Action Volunteer Coordinator; Bob Jozwowski, Coordinator for Central Wisconsin Trout Unlimited Riverkeepers; Llana Haimes, WDNR Water Action Volunteers Coordinator; Tim Asplund, WDNR Section Chief.
(Photo taken by Doug Moore)
CWTU River Monitoring Teams for 2018
Pine River (3 sites)
Upper Tomorrow River
Hartman Creek
Emmons Creek
White River
West Branch of White River (6 sites)
Willow Creek (2 sites)
Bird Creek
Kill Snake River
Tagatz Creek
Peterson Creek
South Branch Little Wolf
Twin Creek in Marinette
Fordham Creek
Sucker Creek
Wedde Creek
Mecan River
Lawrence Creek
Apple Creek
Sawyer Creek
South Branch Manitowoc River
North Branch of the Little Wolf River
Waupaca River
Yellow River
Roy Creek
Spring Creek in Billion
Stoney Brook
Soules Creek
Humphrey Creek
Upper Pine Creek
Tributaries Feeding Green Lake : Dakin Creek, Roy Creek, White Creek, Silver Creek, Wuerches Creek, Assembly Creek, Hill Creek, and Spring Creek.
Peggy Compton from UW- Extension conducting an on stream training session on Saturday, May 6, 2017
