Pact near to pull Pamperin Park dams in move to improve Duck Creek fish habitat

[Go Big Red!]

Pact near to pull Pamperin Park dams in move to improve Duck Creek fish habitat

By Tony Walter • For Wisconsinoutdoorfun.com • June 7, 2011

Some man-made structures are keeping fish from getting to Lake Michigan from Duck Creek, but that's about to change.

An agreement is close to being completed that would remove both dams at Pamperin Park and alter one on the part of the creek that runs adjacent to Oneida Golf and Country Club in Green Bay.

The Brown County Board's Education and Recreation Committee is expected to meet shortly before the full board meeting on June 15 to approve a resolution aimed at creating a smoother path for fish trying to get to the bay. The County Board will then vote on the resolution that night.

The Oneida Environmental Health & Safety Division, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Oneida Golf and Country Club and the Brown County park have agreed that the pool between the two Pamperin Park dams hinders fish movement.

Law enforcement officials say the pool could invite people to poach salmon, trout and other fish found in the creek.

"We've been monitoring this for over a decade," said Jim Snitgen, water resources supervisor for the Oneida Tribe of Indians, who said the work would cost about $120,000 and be funded through grants. No county tax funds are being used on the project.

Pamperin Park is the largest developed park in the county. County officials believe the two small dams were built during the 1930s along with the pavilion as part of the New Deal's Works Progress Administration.

Snitgen said fish congregate below a dam because it's a good habitat. But he said the removal of the dam will actually improve fishing conditions because there will be a more natural flow.

The dam at the golf course isn't expected to be removed, but will be altered to allow the fish to swim easily downstream while preventing any endangered species from getting upstream.

The headwaters of Duck Creek are near Freedom. The stream winds through tribal property before reaching Pamperin Park.

Brown County Parks Director Doug Hartman said it is hoped that the dams could be removed this year but isn't sure that can happen. He said the DNR won't approve reconstruction of the dams in disrepair and removal of the dams shouldn't create any high water problems along Duck Creek because the dams are small.

"It's a win, win," he said.