Stoughton in Dane County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Yahara River
If you do not actually spot a muskrat, deer, possum, skunk or raccoon, many signs along the shore tell the story of the river's denizens. Crayfish build miniature mud castles, while beavers and muskrats burrow holes in the bank. Clams leave furrows in the sand, and their empty shells dot the shore. Giant herons and other predatory birds leave a white-wash in trees.
Two hydrological cycles have produced this rich biological diversity. In the seasonal cycle, the river deposits new soil across the flood plain as the banks overflow with spring rains and melting snow. As water volume shrinks in the summer, new land is exposed to invading plants. Temporary ponds become breeding sites for insects, fish, frogs and toads. The meander cycle created the loop in the Yahara river here. As the main current whips back and forth, it cuts the bank in one place and deposits soil in another. Over the years, this process also creates small lakes and a variety of wetlands.
The river is forever varying the landscape. Look for new trees sprouting on exposed mud or sand, and old trees falling in where the river swings back and undercuts its banks.
Erected 1977 by the Dane County Natural History Marker System.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Environment.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 42° 51.663′ N, 89° 10.269′ W. Marker was in Stoughton, Wisconsin, in Dane County. Marker was on County Highway N, half a mile west of Hannerville Road, on the left when traveling west. The concrete footings for the marker are still there, but the marker itself is missing. A neighbor said he heard a car had hit it and that the county had come and taken it away. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Stoughton WI 53589, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. Village of Cooksville / Village of Waucoma (approx. 3.8 miles away); East Park Historic District (approx. 4.4 miles away); Main Street Historic District (approx. 4˝ miles away); Stoughton (approx. 4.6 miles away); Albion Academy (approx. 5.3 miles away); Sheepskin School (approx. 5.3 miles away); Sterling North (approx. 5.3 miles away); Wisconsin's Tobacco Land (approx. 5.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Stoughton.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. This is a list of other Dane County Natural History markers.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 27, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,039 times since then and 15 times this year. Last updated on October 17, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 27, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.