Watersheds provide numerous and diverse services to humans, according to the EPA's online Watershed Academy. These include the purification of air and water, detoxification and decomposition of wastes, regulation of climate, regeneration of soil fertility, and production and maintenance of biodiversity, from which key ingredients of our agricultural, pharmaceutical, and industrial enterprises are derived.
A more nebulous benefit, one which is difficult to quantify, is the provision of aesthetic beauty and intellectual stimulation that lift the human spirit. Ways in which this occurs are as diverse as art, photography, beekeeping, gardening, canoeing and camping.
From the beginning, the Lower Sugar River Watershed Association (LSRWA) has celebrated and valued the aesthetic power of nature. Besides the organization's more serious pursuits, such as training and coordinating citizen scientists to monitor stream water quality and stream bank conditions, or educating the public about local environmental issues, LSRWA members and friends take the time to get out and truly enjoy the beauty we have right here in our own Watershed. We did just that on Sunday afternoon, September 13, 2015, as a group of ten enthusiastic canoers and kayakers gathered at the Headgate's Park, just across from Pearl Island. By 2 pm, we had shuttled vehicles to the end point, the Clarence Bridge Park, just off Highway 81, introduced ourselves to each other, heard a brief history of "the Race," and launched three canoes and five kayaks through the Headgates and into the Race. Our plan was to paddle the man-made canal called "the Race" to Brodhead, portage the overflow (dam) into the "Tail Race," the section of stream that connects to the Sugar River itself, and then follow the river to Clarence Bridge Park.
The sunshine and crisp mixture of coolness and warmth created ideal paddling conditions. A gentle breeze created ripples of water that glittered and sparkled in the sun. Along the way, we saw people enjoying the Race in their own way; fishing from shore, hiking or biking along the Pearl Island pathway. Overhead, biplanes dipped and turned, as they gave rides from the Brodhead Airport.
Though the route was short—only about four miles—we were treated to varied scenery and variety of water conditions. Being a man-made canal, the Race has very little current. Turtles, preferring the still waters, were out in abundance. We must have seen three dozen or more painted turtles. On one log alone, ten sat soaking up the rays. Typically quite shy, the turtles seemed to be enjoying the sunshine so much that they were reluctant to slip off the log and disappear as we paddled past.
After arriving in Brodhead, at the location of the old electric generating plant, we made a short portage around the overflow and entered a small, twisting stream, shaded by overhanging trees. Some noticed a sudden absence of turtles in this reach of the Race. This section, called the "Tail Race," provided the most challenging paddling; several areas of deadfall almost obstructed the stream bed; other areas were so shallow, that one almost had to get out and walk the canoe. Along this reach we were able to observe the shells of freshwater mussels, none of them living unfortunately, exposed in the channel bottom in shallow water. Ultimately we managed to navigate the “Tail" without incident, and finally entered the Sugar River main channel.
Immediately, we noticed the increase in current speed in the river. Fewer turtles continued to be observed along the river banks. Instead, we were treated to sightings of blue heron, a young eagle, a bright red cardinal, and other birds. Sections of the river had small, summer cabin type dwellings along the bank. Other areas had a natural, wild, look. Ecologists in the group, pointed out several overhanging Sycamore trees, remarking that these might well be among the northern-most Sycamores in this extension of their range up several southern Wisconsin river valleys.
Frank Kapel, the intrepid organizer of the Annual Sugar River Clean-Up, hosted annually by the Lake Winnetka Sugar River Improvement Association, brought along enough trash bags for everyone. He reminded us that "river clean-up never ends!" This bit of inspiration was a great reminder of how easy it is to incorporate a little clean-up effort, even into a recreational event.
Paddling under the shadow of the towering dolomite and sandstone bluffs above the western shoreline of the river was the cue that our destination was close at hand. These bluffs feature unique shaded habitats that continue to support relict populations of native white pine and yellow birch that are more common in northern parts of Wisconsin. Early maps also suggest this area was an important encampment of Native Americans.
After paddling under the Highway 81 bridge, we arrived at Clarence Bridge Park, disembarked, and loaded canoes and kayaks onto vehicles. By 5 pm, we were headed towards home, our spirits renewed and refreshed through the simple pleasures of an afternoon of getting to know our Watershed.