Overview

The Baraboo River is a warm water sport fishery and canoe trail that is tributary to the Wisconsin River. The Baraboo River has historically had up to seven dams at one time along its entire length. Most of these dams were built to generate water power, although in the past years, they have been maintained mostly for recreational purposes. As a result of the habitat fragmentation and other problems caused by the dams on the river, the two miles of the river that flows through the City of Baraboo has been listed on the state's list of impaired waters.

In the past few years, there has been a strong movement to remove these dams from the river and once again open the channel up for free migration by fish, open navigation for recreational purposes, and re-establishment of the free-flowing river. The City of Baraboo in the Lower Baraboo River Watershed was the home of three of these dams. All three dams have now been removed. Prior to the removal of the third dam in October 2001, the removal of the other two opened up 5 miles of rock riffles, which had a three-fold effect:
1. Increased spawning area for walleye, sturgeon, suckers (and paddlefish if they can get around Prairie du Sac dam);
2. Creation of a "food factory" for the fish on the rock riffle area;
3. Opening up of natural, seasonal movement throughout the Baraboo River system.

It is the hope of all of the partners involved that even greater effects will be seen in the river as a result of the restoration of the river to its free-flowing condition. Monitoring will be conducted to determine the overall impact of the removal of the dams on the river. A rare aquatic species has been found in the river in past surveys. As a result of the dam removals, the process has begun to take this segment of the river off of the impaired waters list.

The Citizens for Waterfront Revitalization have received a River Planning Grant to develop a cooperative strategic plan for the Baraboo Rapids area of the river. This area is from the Highway 12 bridge in West Baraboo to the Highway 113 bridge east of the city. The plan will address some of the watershed-wide issues that affect the river. There is a USGS gauging station near Baraboo. The Baraboo River from Wonewoc to Reedsburg is considered a warm water sport fishery. The former dam at LaValle impounded water on the Baraboo River to form the LaValle Millpond. This dam was removed in 2000. Currently, a restoration plan is being developed or the old mill pond area of the river near LaValle. Despite the efforts of the nonpoint source priority watershed project, the river continues to be threatened by sources of nonpoint pollution. A rare aquatic species has been found in the river in past surveys.

From: Ripp, Coreen, Koperski, Cindy and Folstad, Jason. 2002. The State of the Lower Wisconsin River Basin.
PUBL WT-559-2002. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.

Date  2002

Author  Cynthia Koperski

Overview

From: Ripp, Coreen, Koperski, Cindy and Folstad, Jason. 2002. The State of the Lower Wisconsin River Basin.
PUBL WT-559-2002. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.

Date  2002

Author  Cynthia Koperski

Overview

Baraboo River in Narrows Creek and Baraboo River Watershed (LW22) - Just over 33 miles of the Baraboo River are in this watershed. The river supports a warm water sport fishery, is a major tributary to the Wisconsin River and is important as a smallmouth bass fishery. As a result of the habitat fragmentation and other problems caused by the dams on the river, the two miles of the river that flows through the City of Baraboo has been listed on the state’s list of impaired waters. The final dam was removed in October of 2001. The water quality and fishery of this up-stream portion of the river is expected to improve as a result of the dam removals. As a result, it is anticipated that this portion of the river will be able to be “de-listed.” The river receives discharges from Foremost Farms, North Freedom, Reedsburg, and Rock Springs in the watershed. A rare aquatic species has been found in the river in past surveys.

Baraboo River in Little Baraboo River Watershed (LW23) - The Baraboo River from Wonewoc to Reedsburg is considered a warm water sport fishery. The former dam at LaValle impounded water on the Baraboo River to form the LaValle Millpond. This dam was removed in 2000. Currently, a restoration plan is being developed for the old mill pond area of the river near LaValle. Despite the efforts of the nonpoint source priority watershed project, the river continues to be threatened by sources of nonpoint pollution. A rare aquatic species has been found in the river in past surveys.

From: Ripp, Coreen, Koperski, Cindy and Folstad, Jason. 2002. The State of the Lower Wisconsin River Basin.
PUBL WT-559-2002. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.

Date  2002

Author  Cynthia Koperski

Historical Description

This portion of the Baraboo River is classified as a warm water sport fishery for 15
miles of its length (Perrson, 1987), and as a Class II and Class III trout stream for 7.5
miles (WDNR, 1980). Heavy siltation adversely affects in-stream habitat in the Juneau
County portion (Ironside, 1991). Other nonpoint source water pollution problems
affect the stream. A dairy plant discharge to the Elroy wastewater treatment plant has
also led to water quality problenls in the past (WDNR, 1991). Water quality nlonitoring
of the Baraboo River in 1989 and 1990, downstreanl from the Kendall wastewater
treatment plant, identified water quality standards violations for dissolved oxygen. Instream
water temperature was also elevated (Sorge, 1991-1992).

Date  1994

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Historical Description

A major tributary to the Wisconsin River which drains a large watershed west of the river. The stream is generally turbid and causes extensive flooding in spring. Complaints of flood damage brought recent inquiries from the Army Corps of Engineers regarding control needs. The entire stream in this county is traversible by outboard craft. Walleye, northern pike, bass, and panfishes (including catfish) constitute the fishery, however, fishing pressure is quite light. Access is provided by two state highway crossings, by a small road and wayside park, and by navigable water both upstream and downstream. Waterfowl are common along the river, especially wood ducks which utilize the bank trees and large instream snags. About 824 acres of wetland adjoin the stream.

Baraboo River T12N, R9E, Section 28
Surface Acres 151.5, Miles = 13.3, Gradient = 1.88 feet per mile
From: Poff, Ronald J. and C.W. Threinen, 1965. Surface Water Resources of Columbia County: Lake and Stream Classification Project. Wisconsin Department of Conservation, Madison, WI.

Date  1965

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Impaired Waters

The 2018 assessments of the Baraboo River (miles 0-28.16) showed continued impairment by phosphorus; new total phosphorus sample data exceeded the 2018 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use, however, available biological data did not indicate impairment (i.e. no macroinvertebrate or fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scored in the "poor" condition category). Based on the most updated information, no change in the existing impaired waters listing was needed.

Date  2017

Author  Ashley Beranek

Condition

Wisconsin has over 84,000 miles of streams, 15,000 lakes and milllions of acres of wetlands. Assessing the condition of this vast amount of water is challenging. The state's water monitoring program uses a media-based, cross-program approach to analyze water condition. An updated monitoring strategy (2015-2020) is now available. Compliance with Clean Water Act fishable, swimmable standards are located in the Executive Summary of Water Condition in 2018. See also the 'monitoring and projects' tab.

Reports

Recommendations

Management Goals

Wisconsin's Water Quality Standards provide qualitative and quantitative goals for waters that are protective of Fishable, Swimmable conditions [Learn more]. Waters that do not meet water quality standards are considered impaired and restoration actions are planned and carried out until the water is once again fishable and swimmable

Management goals can include creation or implementation of a Total Maximum Daily Load analysis, a Nine Key Element Plan, or other restoration work, education and outreach and more. If specific recommendations exist for this water, they will be displayed below online.

Monitoring

Monitoring the condition of a river, stream, or lake includes gathering physical, chemical, biological, and habitat data. Comprehensive studies often gather all these parameters in great detail, while lighter assessment events will involve sampling physical, chemical and biological data such as macroinvertebrates. Aquatic macroinvertebrates and fish communities integrate watershed or catchment condition, providing great insight into overall ecosystem health. Chemical and habitat parameters tell researchers more about human induced problems including contaminated runoff, point source dischargers, or habitat issues that foster or limit the potential of aquatic communities to thrive in a given area. Wisconsin's Water Monitoring Strategy was recenty updated.

Grants and Management Projects

Monitoring Projects

Watershed Characteristics

Baraboo River is located in the Crossman Creek and Little Baraboo River watershed which is 213.80 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (36.40%), grassland (32.90%) and a mix of agricultural (20.40%) and other uses (10.30%). This watershed has 466.61 stream miles, 244.11 lake acres and 6,321.59 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Not Available for runoff impacts on streams, Not Available for runoff impacts on lakes and High for runoff impacts on groundwater and therefore has an overall rank of High. This value can be used in ranking the watershed or individual waterbodies for grant funding under state and county programs.However, all waters are affected by diffuse pollutant sources regardless of initial water quality. Applications for specific runoff projects under state or county grant programs may be pursued. For more information, go to surface water program grants.