Completed Projects
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Completed Projects
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A CONTINUED COMMITMENTBuilding upon the foundation of water resources management and environmental protection, the Fox River Commission will continue to assist communities to maintain the middle Fox River as an asset for the people of Southeastern Wisconsin. In fulfilling their mandate, the Fox River Commission continues to build partnerships with communities, organizations and municipalities.Most recently, the Fox River Commission, in conjunction with the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC), has updated it's Implementation Plan to reflect it's goals and objectives through the year 2020. |
SEWFRCPROJECTS INCLUDE:- Big Bend Lions Park - Fox River Inn - Langmesser Park - Golden Bay - Fox Isle - Beach Dr. Stormwater Pond - Hwy 164 Stormwater Mgmnt. - Indianhead Park Shoreline (Mukwonago) - Village Hall Park Shoreline (Waterford) - Schmidt & Caton Erosion Ctrl. - Phantom Woods Road - Planning Area Boundary Map - Project Location Map COMMISSION CHAIRMAN Al Sikora 262-534-3906 asikora@wdtweb.com |
BIG BEND LIONS PARKLions Park in the Village of Big Bend, Waukesha County, is the site of both past and proposed future projects of the Fox River Commission.  Streambank Protection
During 2002, the Fox River Commission partnered with the Village of Big Bend to install streambank protection along the parkland shores. The two-phased project was completed in December 2003. The project cost was $25,000.  Proposed Canoe Launch
The Lions Park in the Village of Big Bend is a popular launch and retrieval site for canoeists from throughout Southeastern Wisconsin. During 2007, the creation of a canoe launch was proposed as a means of facilitating access to the River from the Park. This project is scheduled for implementation during 2008 at a cost of about $30,000. FOX RIVER INNThe site of the former Fox River Inn in the Town of Vernon, Waukesha County, was an area identified for the placement of erosion protection in the Fox River Commission implementation Plan.  Land Acquisition
During 2002, the Fox River Commission partnered with Waukesha County to demolish the structure and place streambank protection along the shores. The structure was removed during 2002 at a cost of $200,000.  Streambank and Habitat Protection Shoreland protection, including streambank plantings, was installed during 2003 at a cost of $10,000. GOLDEN BAYStormwater management basins form an integral part of the stormwater management practices used by communities throughout Southeastern Wisconsin.  Stormwater Basins
During 2004, the Fox River Commission partnered with the Town of Waterford in Racine County and the local residents' association to rehabilitate the stormwater basins serving the Golden Bay subdivision in the Town. The project was completed at a cost of $50,000. LANGMESSER PARKThe principal boating channel of the Fox River makes a westward bend in the Town of Waterford, Racine County, paralleling Bridge Drive, prior to entering the Tichigan State Wildlife Area and the Waterford Impoundment.  Shoreland Protection
During 2002, the Fox River Commission partnered with 15 riparian property owners to install shoreland protection along this shoreland at a cost of $68,000. FOX ISLEFox Isle Condominium development.  Shoreland Erosion Control
During 2002, the Fox River Commission partnered with the Village of Waterford, Racine County, to control shoreland erosion around the Fox Isle development. This shoreland protection project was completed at a cost of $50,000. BEACH DRIVEStormwater management basin.  Stormwater Pond During 2002, the Fox River Commission partnered with the Town of Waterford, Racine County, to maintain the stormwater management basin at Beach Drive. This basin had reached the end of its design life and required extensive renovation, which was carried out at a cost of $10,000. STATE HIGHWAY 164The creation of the Waterford Waterway Management District (WWMD), a public inland lake protection and rehabilitation district, formed in 2002 by the Racine County Board of Supervisors under Subchapter IV of Chapter 33 of the Wisconsin Statutes, in response to the petition of the riparian property owners, has provided an additional vehicle through which the citizens of the Town and Village of Waterford are seeking to maintain, protect and enhance their environment. Since its inception, the WWMD has sought to establish partnerships with both civic organizations in the Waterford area, including the Fox River CAUSE, a citizen-based nongovernmental organization, and governmental bodies, such as the Fox River Commission.  Rain Gardens
During 2007, the Fox River Commission and the WWMD joined forces in the conduct of a runoff management project that included the construction of "rain gardens" on properties upgradient of Tichigan Lake in the Town of Waterford, Racine County. Rain gardens are designed to minimize runoff from specific sites through infiltration.  Swales In addition, certain modifications were implemented within the swale along STH 164. These modifications are designed to slow the flow of water within the roadside ditches, minimizing erosion, and reducing the movement of pollutants to the Waterford Impoundment. The Fox River Commission contributed $45,000 toward the completion of these initiatives. ISLAND VIEW BAY DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECTSimilar to the State Highway 164 project, the work involved multiple ditch dams, major ravine riprapping, and the installation of stilling basins. Shoreline filtration plantings were accomplished through the District's Rain Garden Grant Program.   
MUKWONAGO INDIANHEAD PARK SHORELINE STABILIZATIONThe Mukwonago River is among the cleanest and most biologically diverse streams in southeastern Wisconsin and provides critical habitat for a number of rare, threatened and endangered species of fish and invertebrates. Years of fishing and swimming at the park have caused severe erosion to a long stretch of the shoreline, and have degraded the habitat and spawning grounds for a number of these aquatic species.  Before
This 2008 initiative was intended to stabilize a 500 foot section of shoreline along the pristine Mukwonago River at Indianhead Park. The project team developed construction plans for the implementation of bioengineering techniques that will not only prevent further erosion, but will also preserve and create new wildlife habitat.  After
The first technique that was implemented was multiple rows of coir fiber logs along the shoreline. These logs consist of tightly wound coconut fiber in lengths up to 20 feet that are contoured to the shoreline and staked in place.  Before
In severely eroded areas soil fill was placed behind the logs to recreate a more natural shoreline. The fiber logs were planted with plugs of native plant species that are found naturally along the Mukwonago River in this area. The native plants have extensive root systems that will spread down through the fiber logs and into the soil and the river bottom.  After
Eventually the fiber logs will degrade but the plants and their root systems will remain to stabilize the shoreline and prevent against future erosion. The vegetation will provide habitat and a food source for both aquatic and terrestrial animals.  After
Because this section of the river is so popular for recreational use, river access was kept intact by providing several access points where the toe at the shoreline was reinforced with fieldstone boulders. These access points and the pathways leading to them were seeded with low growing native grass species that can handle foot traffic. VILLAGE OF WATERFORD DAM & STREAMBANK STABILIZATIONThe Waterford Dam and Village Hall Park Streambank Stabilization project was a joint effort of Racine County and the Village of Waterford. The shoreline above and along side the dam needed shoring up and streambank erosion due to swelling below the dam needed repair.  Before
The shoreline above the dam was eroding and trees were threatening boat launching and fishing by potentially falling due to the erosion.  After
This reverse angle view shows trees removed and shoreline protected with riprap and seeded plantings..  Before
Streambank erosion in Village Hall Park was taking it's toll on the shoreline near municipal buildings as well as making river access dangerous for fisherman.  After
Trees too close to the water's edge were removed, riprap and natural plug plantings were placed to protect the shoreline and several access points were installed to enhance the use of the park and the river. SCHMIDT & CATON ISLAND EROSION CONTROL PROJECTThis is an educational project comparing four different types of shoreline erosion control methods against one another when placed next to each other in 25 foot sections. The methods compared are Rock Riprap, Coir Fiber Blocks, Biologs and BioDMat 40. Over time we will collect data that will show us which method of erosion control was the most effective.  Rock Riprap
Rock Riprap was installed by barge as ice conditions did not allow heavy equipment.  Bio-Material Products
Coir Fiber Blocks, Biologs and BioDMat 40 methods were installed as an alternative to the riprap. All methods included plantings with native root stock. PHANTOM WOODS ROAD ENHANCEMENT PROJECTThe Town of Mukwonago has identified a significant stormwater-related erosion concern affecting the channel linking Upper Phantom Lake and Lower Phantom Lake, on the Mukwonago River tributary to the Fox River.  Before
Phantom Woods Road slopes steeply to the lakeshore, with the result that pollutants, including particulates such as sand and gravels, are transported into the Lakes and ultimately into the Fox River system, as can be seen in the images below.  Shoreland Buffer Strip Proposed
It is proposed that the road end, which currently abuts the channel between Upper and Lower Phantom Lakes, be pulled back from the channel to provide for an expanded shoreland buffer strip. This area would be restored utilizing native vegetation designed to minimize the delivery of sediment and other contaminants to the Fox River system while increasing diversity of habitat appropriate to this shoreline. Biologs are proposed along portions of the stream bank to reduce further erosion.  After
The road phase of the project was completed in the fall of 2009. In early spring of 2010, DNR and County Permits were required for the preparation of the 40' vegetative buffer zone.  Vegetative Buffer Zone
Topsoil filled in the excavated pavement area. Erosion control measures include sediment logs, turbidity barriers, coconut fiber rolls along the shoreline and erosion mat. View full project slideshow. IDLEWOOD DRIVE STORM WATER ABATEMENT PROJECTCompleted in late 2009, this project remediated upland flooding in a drainage easement and reduced the velocity of out flow through a steeply-sloping ravine. Five natural rock check dams and stilling basins were installed in a wooded conservation area. Total project cost was $52,926.  The Problem
Property owners along Idlewood Drive, Joy Marie Lane and adjacent to the wooded ravine of the Hidden Harbor subdivision, were aware of upland flooding and the onrush of storm water into Tichigan Lake that occurs after rain storms. Property owners appealed to Racine County and other agencies for a solution. View more photos of "The Problem."  The Solution
Storm water regularly floods and ponds before draining into the ravine and down into the lake. This condition was relieved by the installation of a biofi1tration settling basin. The basin will be totally below grade and is located within the existing dedicated drainage easement on affected properties. When completed and landscaped, it will not be visible to property owners or the public at large, serving to filter rainwater contaminates before draining into the ravine. View more photos of "The Solution." GRAND DRIVE / BUENA PARK PROJECTThis project is located just south of Egg Island and due west of the three buoys which mark the rock beds. There is a tremendous amount of wave action from watercraft at this point, causing serious erosion along this part of the shore line. Adjacent property owners claim that erosion has washed away almost six feet of land over the years. Total project cost was $15,824 with a 90 - 10 cost share between SEWFRC and the WWMD.  The Problem
The piece of land involved is about 40 feet wide which and is a non-swimming Town road right of way. Today's high number of watercraft on the Fox River has created extreme shoreline erosion.  The Solution
The project consisted of having natural stone rip-rap installed at the shoreline with a ten foot native plant buffer strip behind the stone. On the upper portion of land there is a culvert that comes under the road and drains onto the land. At that point an area of natural stone was laid at the culvert outlet to slow the flow of run-off and to deter erosion. We now have a project that not only reduces an erosion problem, but improves the appearance of the area. View full project slideshow. COMPLETED PROJECT LOCATION MAPSelect Blue Tabs for individual project identification. View Completed Projects in a larger map. Photos courtesy of: Dr. Thomas M. Slawski, SEWRPC Mark Jenks, Waukesha County Steven Brunner, Ruekert-Mielke, Village of Mukwonago Rebecca Ewald, Village of Waterford Waterford Waterways Management District Barb Holtz, Town of Mukwonago Shelley Tessmer, Town of Waterford |
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