September 9, 2009 Black River Drawdown Informational Meeting

The Black River above the Black River Falls dam will soon have a very different look. Starting September 15th, in preparation for new dam construction, the impoundment located in the City of Black River Falls and the towns of Brockway and Adams will be completely dewatered, returning the river to its natural, pre-dam levels. Shore land landowners will be looking at their exposed shoreline for the first time and perhaps wondering what shoreline maintenance activities they should undertake, if any.

At the Friends of the Black River September 9th meeting (at the Coop Credit Union Communuty room, 7 pm) Dan Helsel, Wisconsin DNR water management specialist, will address the unique opportunities that the drawdown will allow for shoreline improvement and river clean up.

The value of maintaining natural shoreline features will be explained. These features provide erosion control in a number of ways. Vegetation slows water run off and stabilizes shoreline soils. It also discourages undesirable exotic plants and animals while attracting native songbirds, butterflies and frogs. Nutrients detrimental to waterways are filtered before contributing to algal blooms and oxygen depletion, harming aquatic animal life.  Trees, shrubs and plants help shelter and create privacy for homeowner and waterway user and also provide a noise buffer. When riprap is required it can be used in conjunction with vegetation and can be selected to blend with natural elements.
 
"We've learned that managing your shoreline is very important to protecting water quality, fish and wildlife in our lakes and streams.  There are many options for maintaining shoreline that provide property owners with recreational use and, at the same time, are environmentally friendly for fish and other wildlife," says Dan Helsel.  It is important to note that almost any activity affecting shoreline requires permitting. The purpose of the September 9th meeting is to help landowners and citizens to understand the various treatment options available for shorelines, the pros and cons of each, and the ways to meet permitting requirements. In many cases, clean up of exposed litter may be all that is necessary.  Preferred materials, if needed, will be discussed and landowner questions will be answered.

It is also important to remember that motorized vehicle operation on the exposed river bed is permitted only during ice cover and requires DNR permitting for authorized activities during all other seasons.

All citizens of the Black River watershed are encouraged to attend this informational meeting on September 9th at the Coop Credit Union Community room at 7 PM

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