By Anna Rzchowski, Public Lands Ecologist – arzchowski@wisducks.org
This article appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s March, 2025 Newsletter edition.
Pre restoration: this ditched spring drains to Lunch Creek.
Last month WWA completed its third wetland restoration on DNR lands at White River Fishery Area in Waushara County.
In February 2024, WWA identified an approximately 1,000’ ditch on this property at the headwaters of Lunch Creek in Waushara County, likely draining a spring. It isn’t clear exactly when this ditching occurred—between 1937 and 1979, probably in the hopes of draining the wetland enough to improve pasture.
The wetland scrape, which provided secondary fill material for the ditch, lies adjacent to forested wetland and upland prairie.
WWA first visited the property early last year, and additional survey work was completed in summer 2024. After several discussions, WWA and DNR agreed upon a restoration plan. Project goals were to balance diverse but complementary interests: improve habitat for nesting and migrating waterfowl where appropriate, restore native wetland vegetation and function to a unique but degraded wetland, and contribute to the health of the nearby trout stream. The restoration plan incorporated a 1,000’ ditch fill and a small scrape located to the northeast of the main wetland adjacent to upland prairie and floodplain forest. Spoil material located on the west bank of the ditch was used for initial fill material, with additional material obtained from the scrape as necessary.
3Restoring natural hydrology rehydrates the wetland soils, improving the overall health and habitat value of the wetland.
Construction began in February 2025, with WWA staff on-site occasionally throughout the project. With the ditch filled and hydrology restored, all that remains is to wait and see the results!