Scope deliverables for Blue River in Grant County WI.

The Blue River is among the most popular and significant of the many beautiful trout streams of Southwestern Wisconsin. Generations of wise landowners have preserved the remarkable landscape of the area. In the present day, strong commitment of landowners to conservation ensures that the picturesque geology and diverse plant communities of the Blue River will persist into the future. As a result, the Blue River and its tributaries are a remarkable cold-water resource. There are enough miles of trout water of sufficient flow to accommodate many anglers. The streams offer diverse management practices. Some reaches provide the opportunity to catch the trout of a lifetime under trophy-preserving catch-release regulations. Other reaches offer trout for breakfast under regulations that allow sustainable harvest. The 2016 Blue River project has improved habitat and angling opportunities as well as opportunities for enjoying the native plants and animals of Wisconsin. The Harry and Laura Nohr Chapter of Trout Unlimited are proud to have sponsored this project, and are deeply grateful to our many partners listed in this report. A special thanks to Grant County NRCS District Conservationist Joe Schmelz and his office, and DNR fisheries biologist Bradd Sims for all of their help in facilitating this project. As with every stream conservation program, partnerships among landowners, businesses, anglers county and state government, and the state and national TU organizations are essential for the success of the Blue River Habitat Improvement projects. Although the 2016 project had many challenges and delays due to significant weather events our plan is to complete an additional 2000 feet to the next bridge on Biba Road.

The Harry and Laura Nohr Chapter of TU will undertake a River Management Grant that will enhance and protect water quality and aquatic habitat for trout and forage fishes for approximately 5,000 linear feet of the Blue River between Shemak Road and Biba Road. 1. Reduce soil erosion, stream siltation and thermal loading through stream bank sloping and stabilization practices using rock riprap and vegetation. 2. Increase stream flow rates in riffles to help increase oxygen for aquatic invertebrates, fish spawning and rearing and increase depth of scour holes using a variety of habitat BMP's such as log deflectors, root wads, vortex and half weirs. Deliverables: Control bank erosion. Improved habitat and increased stream flow for fish and aquatic insects, reductions in stream sediment in the substrate, and increased rock and gravel habitat for fish and aquatic insects reproduction.

The Harry and Laura Nohr Chapter of TU will undertake a River Management Grant that will enhance and protect water quality and aquatic habitat for trout and forage fishes for approximately 5,000 linear feet of the Blue River between Shemak Road and Biba Road. 1. Reduce soil erosion, stream siltation and thermal loading through stream bank sloping and stabilization practices using rock riprap and vegetation. 2. Increase stream flow rates in riffles to help increase oxygen for aquatic invertebrates, fish spawning and rearing and increase depth of scour holes using a variety of habitat BMP's such as log deflectors, root wads, vortex and half weirs. Deliverables: Control bank erosion. Improved habitat and increased stream flow for fish and aquatic insects, reductions in stream sediment in the substrate, and increased rock and gravel habitat for fish and aquatic insects reproduction.

The Harry and Laura Nohr Chapter of TU will undertake a River Management Grant that will enhance and protect water quality and aquatic habitat for trout and forage fishes for approximately 5,000 linear feet of the Blue River between Shemak Road and Biba Road. 1. Reduce soil erosion, stream siltation and thermal loading through stream bank sloping and stabilization practices using rock riprap and vegetation. 2. Increase stream flow rates in riffles to help increase oxygen for aquatic invertebrates, fish spawning and rearing and increase depth of scour holes using a variety of habitat BMP's such as log deflectors, root wads, vortex and half weirs. Deliverables: Control bank erosion. Improved habitat and increased stream flow for fish and aquatic insects, reductions in stream sediment in the substrate, and increased rock and gravel habitat for fish and aquatic insects reproduction.

enhance and protect water quality and aquatic habitat for trout and forage fishes for approximately 5-000 linear feet of the Blue River between Shemak Road and Biba Road. 1. Reduce soil erosion- stream siltation and thermal loading through stream bank sloping and stabilization practices using rock riprap and vegetation. 2. Increase stream flow rates in riffles to help increase oxygen for aquatic invertebrates- fish spawning and rearing and increase depth of scour holes using a variety of habitat BMP\2019s such as log deflectors- root wads- vortex and half weirs. Deliverables: Control bank erosion. Improved habitat and increased stream flow for fish and aquatic insects- reductions in stream sediment in the substrate- and increased rock and gravel habitat for fish and aquatic insects reproduction. Provide photographs showing improved habitat and bank stability. Cooperate with UW-Platteville Biology Department to have interns monitor the stream post \2013 BMP implementation- and present information at TU\2019s annual meeting. Post accomplishments on-line through a TU webpage and USF+W service webpage.