Volunteer Opportunity: Upper Fox and Wolf Volunteer Monitoring Program

Interested? Contact Katherine Wendorf at Katherine.wendorf@wisconsin.gov

The Wisconsin DNR is seeking motivated individuals to join the Upper Fox and Wolf Volunteer Monitoring Program. This program was developed as a result of the Upper Fox and Wolf Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). The monitoring program began its first year of monitoring in 2020 and monitors stream sites to evaluate water quality trends and overall health of the watershed over time. There are currently 6 sites we are recruiting for located across Calumet, Green Lake, Marquette, Waupaca, and Winnebago counties.

These sites include:

1. Mud Creek at Mud Creek Road

2. Mecan River at County Hwy C

3. Montello River at 11th Street bridge

4. Pigeon River at Klemp Road

5. Sawyer Creek at N Westfield Street

6. Waupaca River at River Road near Weyauwega

7. Unnamed Tributary at Lakeview Drive (Coordinates: 44.56583 N, 88.06470 W)

a. This site is part of the Lower Fox TMDL and is located in Brown County

The Upper Fox and Wolf TMDL establishes reductions in Total Phosphorus (TP) and Total Suspended Solids (TSS) to meet water quality standards. Many streams throughout the watershed are impaired for TP, TSS, or both resulting in a need to track water quality changes and improvements over time. Excessive phosphorus and sediment loading can have major implications on river systems including: harmful algal blooms, habitat loss, reduced aquatic plant density and water clarity, and health concerns. Surface runoff from the surrounding landscape and direct discharges from regulated facilities are the most common sources of pollution in the watershed. The need to evaluate the relationship between current land management practices and water quality is evident, however tracking water quality is difficult given the time and effort required to sample many points over long periods of time.

Volunteers play a critical role in collecting reliable water quality data that assists the DNR and other project partners track trends and improvements over time. The volunteer monitoring program will utilize trained volunteers to collect water samples on 24 stream and river sites throughout the watershed. Volunteers are responsible for collecting water samples once per month- May through October. Samples are shipped to the Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene in Madison and are analyzed for Total Phosphorus, Total Suspended Solids, Total Nitrogen, and Dissolved Reactive Phosphorus. Streamflow and water clarity are also measured by volunteers. Training and supplies are provided by the Wisconsin DNR. This program, along with the Winnebago Waterways Water Quality Monitoring Program run through Fox-Wolf Watershed Alliance and other water quality monitoring programs throughout the state provide valuable data on the health of our streams.

The DNR is continually seeking energetic and new volunteers to help sample our state’s streams. Clean water is a vital resource we all enjoy. As a volunteer, you can play an important role in helping to protect and enhance Wisconsin’s natural resources for years to come while enjoying the outdoors. If you are interested in volunteering or would like to learn more, contact Katherine Wendorf at Katherine.wendorf@wisconsin.gov.