Degradation and Recovery in Urban Watersheds: The Role of Floodplain Restoration in Re-coupling Stream Structure and Ecological Function
Project Manager:Tim Ehlinger, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Phone:(414)229-4358 E-mail:ehlinger@uwm.edu
Natural System and Location: Milwaukee River Watershed: Lincoln Creek and Pike River in Racine County.
Hypothesis/Goal:
Modifications of flow regime in channelized rivers will improve aquatic biological integrity - mediate by improvements in hydrological and habitat factors.
Restoration Strategy:
Creation of meandering channels with new riparian wetlands along the stream. Wetlands will function as "inline" retention basins during storm events to mitigate flooding in the watersheds. The University of Wisconsin will monitor and evaluate flow restoration of two priority watersheds in southeast Wisconsin. Lincoln Creek and the North Branch of the Pike River will both undergo restoration projects this fall. The team will monitor and evaluate inputs and outputs to the systems before and after restoration and compare the results to similar, less altered river systems. The critical factors for restoring ecological functions of urban/urbanizing watersheds will be identified and the impact of changes in the physical character of a system on its biological components such as fish and invertebrate diversity and abundance will be evaluated. The results will help to reveal the mechanisms by which watershed function is lost as a result of urbanization and would identify critical mechanisms of successful restorations.
Anticipated Outcomes/Environmental Affects:
Reduced "flashiness" during storm event's down stream of restorations.
Improved water quality and Biotic Indices within and downstream.
Proximity effects: reduced improvement with increased distance downstream from restoration areas.
Progress to Date:
Set up remote access stations on the treatment streams and collecting water quality data.
