Dell Creek facts for kids
Dell Creek is a stream of fresh water in central Wisconsin. It flows through parts of Sauk County and Juneau County. The creek got its name from the "dells" found along its path. Dells are narrow valleys with steep sides, often carved by water.
Dell Creek is known for its warm waters. The lower 1.5 miles of the creek are a great spot for warm water fishing. The upper 10.5 miles are a "Class II trout stream." This means it's a good place for trout to live and grow, but they might need some help from people to thrive. The creek is also called an "exceptional resource water." This special title means it's very important and needs extra protection. Much of the creek in Sauk County is owned by the public, so many people can visit and enjoy it.
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What Challenges Does Dell Creek Face?
Dell Creek faces some challenges that affect its health. These problems mostly come from nearby farms.
Sediment and Nutrient Problems
- Sediment: Tiny bits of soil, called sediment, wash into the creek from farm fields. This makes the water cloudy and can fill up the streambed.
- Nutrients: Fertilizers used on farms contain nutrients. When these wash into the creek, they can cause too many plants and algae to grow. This can harm fish and other water creatures.
Lack of Good Habitat
The creek also has a problem with "in-stream habitat." This means there aren't enough good places for fish and other aquatic animals to live, hide, and find food. For example, there might not be enough logs, rocks, or deep pools.
What Studies Show
In 1995, scientists studied Dell Creek. They found that there weren't many trout living there. They also saw that the water quality was only fair or even poor in some areas. This shows that the creek has been damaged by environmental issues. Experts believe that the lack of good places for animals to live is a big reason why there aren't more aquatic creatures.
Dams and Lakes on Dell Creek
Dell Creek also has two large "impoundments." An impoundment is like a small lake or reservoir created by a dam.
- One dam creates Lake Delton.
- The other dam creates Mirror Lake.
The sediment from farm fields is causing problems in Mirror Lake. It's filling up the upper part of the lake. Also, the extra nutrients from Dell Creek are making too many aquatic plants and algae grow in Mirror Lake. This can make the lake less healthy for animals and less enjoyable for people.
