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
CWTU River Keepers Complete Another Year of Stream Monitoring
CWTU River Keepers met at the Fin N Feather on Monday November 11 to wrap up another successful year of monitoring central sands region trout waters. The wrap up meeting consisted of an appreciation dinner and a one hour program following. Bob Jozwowski, River Keepers coordinator thanked the 36 monitors in attendance representing the 40 teams on 50 monitoring sites for their efforts and dedication to the Water Action Volunteers program and recognized the 3 new teams in 2019 on Willow Creek, Carpenter Creek and Radley Creek. Frank Druecke reported that CWTU was awarded a $2000 grant to conduct a field study of Total Phosphorus measurement working with the DNR in Oshkosh. The purpose of the study is to develop an inexpensive field test to determine levels of TP without costly laboratory analysis. Also reporting were Ilana Haimes of the DNR on quality control checking data entered into SWIMS data base and Peggy Compton UW Extension and State WAV Coordinator on the upcoming Catch the WAVe webinar series. During this meeting, the teams turned in their dissolved oxygen kits so that the chemicals could be replaces for the 2020 season.
Ron Neuman Named River Keeper of the Year
Ron Neuman was named River Keeper of the Year for 2019 and recognized at the Annual Conservation Banquet and at the River Keepers Wrap Up meeting. Ron has been a WAV monitor with CWTU for over 10 years and has participated in special Total Phosphorus testing on Carpenter Creek. Congratulations Ron and thank you.
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 2019
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
Spring Creek in Billion
Stoney Brook
Soules Creek
Humphrey Creek
Upper Pine Creek
Carpenter Creek
Radley Creek
