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Park project approved

Trees to be cleared from Waupaca River

By Angie Landsverk


A project at Riverside Park will address how the Waupaca River cuts through the park, improving trout habitats and recreational opportunities.

“It will make the area nicer and keep recreation in the park,” said Andrew Whitman, Waupaca’s parks and recreation director.

The common council voted 10-0 on March 5 to buy materials for the project from Faulks Brothers Construction at a cost not to exceed $10,000.

Different sized stones will be purchased to fix the river’s cut through the park and bank restoration.

Over the past year, Whitman worked with Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) representatives on a plan to fix issues in the park.

The city sought a permit for the project, and the DNR and Army Corps of Engineers approved it.

“Our main goal is to address the river cutting through the neighboring property, which could lead to the river not flowing through our park in the future,” he wrote in a memo to the mayor and council.

Trees that were damaged in storms fell across the river, limiting canoe access and angling opportunities in one particular section.

There is also erosion on the streambanks.

The DNR will clear those trees out of the river and reuse them to create a trout habitat, Whitman said.

The agency will construct log sills by repositioning those storm damaged trees.

The log sills will allow for safe canoeing.

In addition, they will provide multiple fishing spots and reduce streambank erosion.

DNR staff will also construct overhead bank covers to stabilize streambanks and provide habitat for trout.

Another part of the project will involve the removal of invasive exotic woody species.

Whitman said native plants will be added.
The project is scheduled to take place this spring.

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