Addressing Phosphorus and Sediment Pollution in the East Winnebago Watershed

The Winnebago Waterways Program (WWP) at Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance (Fox-Wolf) is working to address phosphorus and sediment pollution in the East Winnebago watershed by installing three enhanced agricultural runoff treatment systems (E-ARTS) and stabilizing a portion of eroding streambank near Brothertown Harbor. Fox-Wolf has partnered with Calumet County Land and Water Conservation Department for siting, design, and installation. This project is estimated to reduce 296 pounds of phosphorus from entering our waterways and hold back 42,390,500 gallons of water from causing erosion downstream each year.

Project Goals

1. Install ARTS enhanced with Phosphorus Removal Devices (NRCS Std 782) at three locations in the East Winnebago watershed to slow runoff, store water, trap phosphorus and sediment, and reduce downstream flow rates.
2. Demonstrate how communities and property owners can increase infiltration, reduce runoff, provide streambank stability, and increase the capacity of the watershed to address legacy phosphorus by considering both upstream and downstream practices simultaneously.
3. Generate interest among communities and property owners in installation of additional enhanced ARTS and streambank stabilization projects.
4. Encourage communities and property owners to incorporate practices that increase water storage and infiltration upstream when addressing streambank erosion issues at or near the bottom of a watershed.

Project Objectives

• Build on current momentum in the Fox-Wolf Basin to try innovative combinations of BMPs
• Install (3) ARTS in the East Winnebago watershed to address legacy P and slow water runoff.
• Stabilize the streambank for Brothertown Creek at a site located downstream from the E-ARTS

This project will also work to increase interest in installation of additional E-ARTS by:

• Documenting the planning and construction process
• Creating and distributing a “How-to” Guide for area communities and landowners
• Installing educational signage at the publicly accessible Brothertown demonstration site
• Hosting a tour of the installed practices

Anticipated Outcomes

Once constructed, it is estimated that this project will:

• Stabilize 1,900 ft of Brothertown Creek streambank near Brothertown Harbor
• Reduce 296 pounds of phosphorus pollution, annually
• Reduce 250 tons of sediment pollution, annually
• Capture 42,390,500 gallons of water runoff, annually

Project Background

Phosphorus and sediment pollution that enters Lake Winnebago contributes to poor water clarity, harmful algae blooms, and degraded habitat. The Pipe Creek-Frontal Lake Winnebago Watershed (the area of focus for this project) drains ~27,368 acres of land to Lake Winnebago and about 85% of that land is in agricultural use. This contributes about 5,005 pounds of total phosphorus (TP) and 2,636 tons of total suspended solids (TSS) per year to the Lake from agricultural sources.

Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance and regional partners are working collaboratively with farmers to find ways to reduce phosphorus and sediment pollution from agricultural sources in this watershed by 83% and 13%, respectively. This includes conservation farming practices such as cover crops, no-till, and low-disturbance manure management as well as permanent, structural solutions like E-ARTS. The goal is to find solutions that result in win-win scenarios for our lakes, rivers, farms and agricultural communities.

E-ARTS is an innovative approach to reducing runoff from agriculture. The system typically consists of a sediment basin, constructed wetland, water control and grade stabilization structures, a pond, and a phosphorus removal device (features may vary by location). This approach provides a cost-effective way, in an agricultural setting, to store water, trap phosphorus and sediment, and reduce the rate of water flowing downstream (especially during storm and snow melt events). This project will help reduce downstream streambank erosion, prevent pollutants from reaching Lake Winnebago, and help reduce downstream flooding.

The Winnebago Waterways Program at Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance (Fox-Wolf) received $510,325 from Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) funding through the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for this project. Fox-Wolf awarded $450,000 of those funds to Calumet County Land and Water Conservation Department (LWCD) for design and installation. As a project partner, Calumet County LWCD has committed $22,935 of in-kind match through staff time to help get this project in the ground.