8/07/11 I'M GIVING CREDIT WHERE IT IS DUE

A NECESSARY PROJECT

WHAT'S LEFT OF 1920'S BRIDGE

MARSHY HEADWATERS OF NORTH BRANCH OF PIKE'S CREEK

TRENCHED OUT

LARGE CULVERT THROUGH WHICH STREAM WILL FLOW

Sunday, 8:15 AM.  65.5 degrees, wind W, light.  The sky is mostly blue with some haze and the barometer predicts rain, which we had a enough of last night to wet the driveway.
    The north branch of Pikes Creek is an important stream for migratory (anadromous) rainbow trout (locally known as steelhead) that swim as far up the stream as they can in spring and fall spawning runs from the big lake.  A 1920’s bridge has been a hazard on Valley Road, (which crosses the headwaters of the north branch) for many years and it is amazing that no one has lost their life on this rather heavily traveled gravel road.
    When I read that the bridge was to be replaced I cringed at the thought of some multi-million dollar monstrosity that would impinge not only on the character of the countryside and the stream, but upon the quality of the headwaters.  I can report that I am pleasantly surprised.  As I took these photos, bull frogs were croaking and sand hill cranes calling from the marshy headwaters.
    The old bridge is being replaced with a large culvert, and although the construction impacts the area it is a necessary project and appears to be well thought out and is being sensitively constructed.
    So, congratulations to the township, the county road engineer, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources  for their thoughtful and most appropriate work.  I give all of them hard knocks from time to time and I am happy to give them due credit on this one.