Moses Creek Restoration Project
For over 70 years, Moses Creek flowed in a drainage ditch through the eastern portion of Schmeeckle Reserve. A major restoration project in summer and fall of 2010 recreated the natural meanders of the stream and restored the historic wetland floodplain. New trails and boardwalks now provide access to the wetland, which has been planted with trees, shrubs, and marsh vegetation.
The $900,000 restoration was funded as a mitigation project by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.
Click a link below to read more!
In the 1930s, Moses Creek was ditched in an effort to drain wetlands for farming. During summer droughts, the streambed was dry and sterile. During periods of high rain and snow melt, the creek could swell to the top of the ditch, and had on occasion flooded the Brillowski Subdivision east of the Reserve. In the 1970s, floodwaters clogged storm sewers on campus, filling basements and spilling out over athletic fields.
The restored meandering stream and adjacent wetlands:
- Improve drainage with flood prone areas north of campus
- Provide high-quality habitat and increase the diversity of wildlife and plants
- Offer unique educational opportunities for students and the community
- Improve the quality of aquatic habitat
- Serve as a pleasing recreation corridor for the community
- Moses Creek was restored to a natural meandering waterway. The channel is narrow and shallow, allowing the creek to carve its own path over time.
- Approximately 17 acres of new wetlands were created along Moses Creek. This involved removing trees and excavating 2'-3' of soil from the project area to improve floodplain functions.
- A 50-100 foot buffer of trees was left around the edge of the restoration area. Large specimen trees were identified and included as islands and peninsulas in the wetland floodplain.
- Native trees, shrubs, and wetland vegetation were planted to stabilize the excavated area, enhance habitat, and provide a visual buffer.
- Scrapes and depressions were excavated in the wetland areas, creating pools of water for wildlife.
- A half-mile, 10'-wide boardwalk trail was constructed as part of a new trail system that provides access to the restored wetlands and connects to the Green Circle.
- Invasive species were managed during the construction and will continue to be controlled 5 years after completion.
- April 2008-October 2009: Collect data on study area, including wetland delineation and ground water monitoring
- December 2008-May 2009: Stakeholder, neighborhood, and public informational meetings
- February-March 2010: Oak trees in the study area cut to reduce the risk of introducing oak wilt
- July 26-December 1, 2010: Excavation of the stream channel and 17 acres of wetlands. Native trees, shrubs, and wetland vegetation planted
- Spring 2011-Fall 2015: WisDOT contractors will monitor and control invasive species in project area and buffer
If you have questions, comments, or concerns about the Moses Creek project, contact Ron Zimmerman or Jim Buchholz by phone (715-346-4992) or e-mail (schmeeckle@uwsp.edu).
Visit the links below to learn more about the Moses Creek Restoration Project (Acrobat Reader is required to view documents).
Current Activities
10/24/11
Uploaded an ongoing study by Marissa Vine and Dr. James Cook to identify plant species in the Moses Creek Restoration floodplain. Click here to view.
12/06/10
Added a newly updated trail map that shows boardwalks, restored wetland, and new and old Moses Creek channels. Click here to view.
11/30/10
The Moses Creek Restoration Project is now complete. All of the new trails and boardwalks are open through the project area. They provide excellent views of the meandering creek and excavated wetlands. Visit frequently over the next few years to see all of the changes taking place!
11/02/10
Air photos of the nearly finished project area are now posted in the gallery. Also included is a labeled panorama shot of the entire restoration site.
10/25/10
Air photos taken by UWSP student Emily Spagnoli on 10/21/10 are now posted in the gallery.
10/25/10
The restoration area on the east side of Lake Joanis is complete. The south lake entrance (off of Maria Dr.) has reopened. The southern portion of the main restoration area is also complete. A boardwalk connecting the residential subdivision to Schmeeckle's existing trail system is now open. Major excavation and hauling for the entire project will be finished by Friday.
10/12/10
The restoration area on the east side of Lake Joanis will be completed by the end of this week. Boardwalks in the main restoration area will start being installed on Wednesday.
10/06/10
Excavation of soil on the east side of Lake Joanis has begun (by contractor Earth, Inc.) Several trucks per hour will be hauling fill out of the Maria Drive entrance. This entrance is closed to visitors. Please use extreme caution.
10/23-10/30/10
Due to large amounts of flooding, the Moses Creek restoration work has temporarily been
10/20/10
Construction of the channel near the subdivision pedestrian bridge will be completed this week. The southwest portion of the main project area will be seeded and have trees and shrubs planted.
08/30/10
Excavation of soil in the northeast project area has begun (by contractor Earth, Inc.) Topsoil has been mounded and will be placed back over excavated areas for seeding.
08/30/10
Water is being pumped out near the subdivision pedestrian bridge to dry out the project area. The water is being filtered through a large sediment filter bag. Pictures of the pump and filter bag are posted in the gallery.
08/26/10
Air photos of the topsoil excavation (taken August 26, 2010) are now posted in the gallery.
08/17/10
Tree felling is now finished for the project. Removal of stumps (by Earth, Inc.) and grinding of stumps and brush (by McDonald Trucking & Wood Recycling) will continue to the end of this week. Excavation will start in the northeast section next week.
08/12/10
Tree felling is nearly finished along the southeast portion of Lake Joanis. The south entrance to the lake (across from the Village Apartments) will be closed for the remainder of the project.
08/03/10
Air photos of the restoration tree felling operation (taken August 3, 2010) are now posted in the gallery.
07/26/10
Tree felling has begun in the northeast project area. The subcontractor is Earth Forestry of Sherry, Inc. from Arpin, Wisconsin. Tree felling should be finished in 2-3 weeks.
07/26/10
The final Wetland Mitigation Plan for Moses Creek has been posted to the website.
07/26/10-12/01/10
Tree felling in the project area will begin July 26 (oaks were removed previously), followed by wetland excavation, vegetation planting, and trail/boardwalk reconstruction. The project is planned to be finished by December 1. Due to dangerous conditions, visitors are not permitted in the project area from July 26-December 1, 2010.
6/06/10
Several trails in Schmeeckle will be closed and detoured from July 26-December 1, 2010. A map of these trail closures and detours has been posted to the website.
6/02/10
Full WISDOT Environmental Report has been posted to the website.
2/24/10
Marking and cutting of oak trees has begun in project area to reduce risk of oak wilt. All trails are open, but some sections may be temporarily closed when cutting occurs near the path. Please use caution.
2/15-2/23/10
Perimeter of project area and tree "islands" marked by AECOM and adjusted by Schmeeckle staff.
2/4/10
Vegetative community studies posted to "Moses Creek Studies"
February 2010
Finalizing agreements between WisDOT and UW system.