5. WATERWATER
WATER is not an infinite resourceWATER is not an infinite resource
We can do without oil but not WATERWe can do without oil but not WATER
Currently, more WATER is beingCurrently, more WATER is being
pulled out of the ground than can bepulled out of the ground than can be
replenishedreplenished
The discussion has begunThe discussion has begun
6. Where is the LittleWhere is the Little
Plover?Plover?
The Little Plover starts in the town of Stockton, just below the
terminal moraine, flows west through the Town of Plover and the Village of Plover,
where it forms Springville Pond, and then joins the Wisconsin River.
7. Facts of the Little Plover
90% of flow is from Groundwater
Class I premier cold water trout stream
Most studied River in America
We have been warned since 1965 in report after
report of the pending dry up of the Little Plover
River
– 1965 Weeks study
– 1985 Hunt study
– 1997 Lampert & Lee watershed management study (this
report accurately predicted the dry up of the Little Plover in
2005)
As predicted, the Little Plover dried up in 2005
– The dry up was so severe that brook trout died and this
dry up continues 5 years later in 2010
– The ecosystem was been harmed
10. Public Rights Stage SetPublic Rights Stage Set
On March 23, 2009, The Wisconsin Department ofOn March 23, 2009, The Wisconsin Department of
Natural Resources announced the publishing of aNatural Resources announced the publishing of a
Public Rights Flow (PRF) Order for the Little PloverPublic Rights Flow (PRF) Order for the Little Plover
River setting a flow of 4 cfs at County Trunk R.River setting a flow of 4 cfs at County Trunk R.
Here are a number of documents, articles and news stories covering theHere are a number of documents, articles and news stories covering the
PRF; these can be found on our website:PRF; these can be found on our website:
– The March 23, 2009 news release from the DNR's West Central Office in Eau ClaireThe March 23, 2009 news release from the DNR's West Central Office in Eau Claire
announcing the PRF Orderannouncing the PRF Order
– The DNR's Findings of Facts and Order establishing the PRF at 4.0 cfsThe DNR's Findings of Facts and Order establishing the PRF at 4.0 cfs
– Portage County Gazette article on the PRFPortage County Gazette article on the PRF
– The River Alliance of Wisconsin's press release "Conservation Groups Applaud PublicThe River Alliance of Wisconsin's press release "Conservation Groups Applaud Public
Rights Flow for Little Plover"Rights Flow for Little Plover"
– A brief article fromA brief article from Words on the StreamWords on the Stream "Little Plover Gets A Lifeline" "Little Plover Gets A Lifeline"
– Stevens Point Journal article on the PRFStevens Point Journal article on the PRF
– A Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article from September 2009 "Trout kill in Little Plover RiverA Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article from September 2009 "Trout kill in Little Plover River""
11. Education - ConservationEducation - Conservation
RecreationRecreation
The Goal of the FLPR is to protect thisThe Goal of the FLPR is to protect this
valuable resource, the Little Plovervaluable resource, the Little Plover
River, and the groundwater that givesRiver, and the groundwater that gives
it life. We hope not to leave students,it life. We hope not to leave students,
“Our leaders of Tomorrow,” without the“Our leaders of Tomorrow,” without the
water we all enjoy todaywater we all enjoy today..
12. How Serious is theHow Serious is the
WATER Issue?WATER Issue?
13. Little Plover Dry upsLittle Plover Dry ups
20052005
20062006
2007 (augmentation)2007 (augmentation)
2008 (augmentation)2008 (augmentation)
20092009
2012 remains below the public rights stage2012 remains below the public rights stage
of 4 cfsof 4 cfs
1 cfs (cubic foot per second) = 7.5 gpm1 cfs (cubic foot per second) = 7.5 gpm
(gallons per minute)(gallons per minute)
15. Groundwater Levels Affect 90% of Wisconsin’sGroundwater Levels Affect 90% of Wisconsin’s
Lakes and Rivers (Not Just the Little Plover)Lakes and Rivers (Not Just the Little Plover)
Picture by Francie Rowe
Pleasant Lake, Waushara County
16. High Capacity WellsHigh Capacity Wells
(HCW)(HCW)
Pre 1950 the Golden Sands had 24 HCW. TodayPre 1950 the Golden Sands had 24 HCW. Today
there are over 3000 wellsthere are over 3000 wells
A High Capacity Well can pump at least 100,000A High Capacity Well can pump at least 100,000
gallons per day; for 3000 wells that equalsgallons per day; for 3000 wells that equals
300 million gallons per day300 million gallons per day
300 million gals/day is equivalent of 3” of water over300 million gals/day is equivalent of 3” of water over
the entire Central Sands per yearthe entire Central Sands per year
Current maximum pumping for all HCW wouldCurrent maximum pumping for all HCW would
exceed 30” of water over the Central Sands.exceed 30” of water over the Central Sands.
Wells areWells are PermittedPermitted notnot RegulatedRegulated
17.
18.
19.
20.
21. In 2013 there are 1000 highIn 2013 there are 1000 high
capacity wells in Portagecapacity wells in Portage
CountyCounty
andand
over 3000 in the 6 counties thatover 3000 in the 6 counties that
comprise the Central Sandscomprise the Central Sands
28. It’s Serious Enough that :It’s Serious Enough that :
In the 2009/2010 session, Wisconsin State legislatorsIn the 2009/2010 session, Wisconsin State legislators
considered groundwater legislation because theconsidered groundwater legislation because the
permitting of high capacitypermitting of high capacity wells is virtually
uncontrolled.
A fact finding work group was headed by Sen. MarkA fact finding work group was headed by Sen. Mark
Miller’s and Rep. Spencer BlackMiller’s and Rep. Spencer Black
The work group visited Portage County and the LittleThe work group visited Portage County and the Little
Plover River in October 2009Plover River in October 2009
30. What is Appreciation Day?What is Appreciation Day?
Each year 140+ students fromEach year 140+ students from
Roosevelt & Plover Whiting schoolsRoosevelt & Plover Whiting schools
Walk to Little Plover River ParkWalk to Little Plover River Park
(Hoover Ave) for hands on River(Hoover Ave) for hands on River
Education/ExperienceEducation/Experience
Bring own brown bag lunchBring own brown bag lunch
A Friday afternoon the first weekend inA Friday afternoon the first weekend in
May (opening of trout season)May (opening of trout season)
31. 8 Stations8 Stations
Fly castingFly casting
Fly tyingFly tying
Water conservationWater conservation
Would you drink this water?Would you drink this water?
Trout shockingTrout shocking
Stream flow monitoring/macro invertebratesStream flow monitoring/macro invertebrates
Incredible journeyIncredible journey
Aquatic Invasive SpeciesAquatic Invasive Species
32. To date, almost 900 students haveTo date, almost 900 students have
engaged in water conservation educationengaged in water conservation education
activitiesactivities
Over the years, many volunteers haveOver the years, many volunteers have
helped to make the Appreciation Day ahelped to make the Appreciation Day a
success. Ten of our volunteers havesuccess. Ten of our volunteers have
participated every year since 2007participated every year since 2007
In total, our volunteers have contributedIn total, our volunteers have contributed
approximately 1400 hours to this eventapproximately 1400 hours to this event
2012 was our 6th
Event
57. Friends Receive Wisconsin WildlifeFriends Receive Wisconsin Wildlife
Federation Water ConservationFederation Water Conservation
Organization of the Year Award forOrganization of the Year Award for
20112011
58. Award Installation at Roosevelt and Plover/Whiting
Schools November 28 and 29, 2011
3rd
, 4th
and 5th
Grade Students
59. WATER?WATER?
What value do you place on Wisconsin’sWhat value do you place on Wisconsin’s
streams, rivers and lakes; our Naturalstreams, rivers and lakes; our Natural
Resources that rely on groundwater?Resources that rely on groundwater?
Thank youThank you
For joining the WATER discussion!For joining the WATER discussion!
60. Join the FriendsJoin the Friends
ContactContact
Barb Gifford 715-344-3539Barb Gifford 715-344-3539
barbaragifford@charter.netbarbaragifford@charter.net
friendsofthelittleploverriver.orgfriendsofthelittleploverriver.org
PARTNERS
American Rivers River Alliance of Wisconsin
Golden Sands RC&D Wisconsin Wildlife Federation
Central Sands Water Action Committee
(MOVE TO TEXT BOX The Little Plover starts in the town of Stockton, just below the terminal moraine, flows west through the village of Plover, forms the Springville Pond, and then joins the Wisconsin River. This river gets about 90% of its water from groundwater, which bubbles up from the ground to wetlands and springs along the river corridor. The cold groundwater allows the stream to support a coldwater ecosystem that includes a native, naturally reproducing Brook Trout population. This, combined with its scenic beauty and recreational opportunities, has made the Little Plover a community treasure for decades. But the stream seems to have deteriorated, especially over the last few years, and concerns are arising about what the Little Plover will look like in 20 years. The time is now for good community stewards to work together to restore the river to its former health.
