Sauk Creek Habitat Improvement Project
Work began in 1994 when divers from Divers Delight provided underwater video of the concrete lip (1) at the mouth of the creek. This aided in the planning stages for its removal. Northern Environment, a consulting firm, helped procure the permit to modify the concrete lip and Wisconsin Electric Power Company employees cut a notch in the concrete lip in February 1995. This notch will allow stocked salmon and trout to leave and enter the creek in years with low water.
The second step in the project was to secure agreements with landowners adjacent to the stream which would allow Wisconsin DNR to work in the creek. Agreements were reached with 9 land owners and the City of Port Washington. These agreements give anglers the right to walk on the streambank as long as they are within 10 feet of Sauk Creek.
The third step in the project was to start the stream habitat work. This was started with $10,000 from the Great Lakes Sport Fishermen-Ozaukee Chapter and Wisconsin DNR salmon stamp money. A total of 25 LUNKER structures (2) were put into
the creek by WDNR personnel and the City of Port Washington. These structures help stabilize the stream banks and provide overhead cover for fish species. In addition, the WDNR constructed a K-dam, restored 50 feet of badly eroded streambank, deepened and narrowed 2,200 feet of streambed and re-channelized the flow of 600 feet of degraded stream section near the Port Washington High School.
The final step in the project was to insure that maintenance money would be available in future years to protect and enhance the work that has already been done. The WDNR allocated $15,000 over two years starting in 1997 to maintain this important project. In addition, money from the Great Lakes Sport Fishermen-Ozaukee Chapter, that was not used in the initial project, was put into a gift account for future years.
Erected by Wisconsin DNR, Great Lakes Sport Fishermen-Ozaukee Chapter, Wisconsin Electric Power Company and Northern Environmental.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Waterways & Vessels.
Location. 43° 23.192′ N, 87° 52.147′ W. Marker is in Port Washington, Wisconsin, in Ozaukee County. The marker is located in Fishermen's Park which is along the Harbor walk in Port Washington's Lake Michigan Harbor.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fish Shanty Peninsula (a few steps from this marker); Fishermen's Park Access Bridge (a few steps from this marker); Port Washington Power Plant (within shouting distance of this marker); Charles A Mueller Tannery (1872-1903) (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Port Washington State Bank Centennial Pavilion (about 400 feet away); They Had To Go A Fishin' (about 400 feet away); Those That Fished (about 400 feet away); The Art of Commercial Fishing (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Washington.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 9, 2018. It was originally submitted on June 8, 2018, by Devon Polzar of Port Washington, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 135 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 8, 2018, by Devon Polzar of Port Washington, Wisconsin. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.