Pheasant Branch Conservancy devastated by nearly $2.5 million in damage to creek corridor
SHELLEY K. MESCH
Updated
3 min to read
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Construction crews work on clearing trees and brush from the clogged Pheasant Branch Creek Thursday. High water from August's storms washed away the tree-covered hill that once sloped down to the creek, leaving a bluff in its place and dropping trees into the waterway.
STEVE APPS, STATE JOURNAL
Duran Schroeder, with Tamarack Trucking, of Gillett, clears brush from the flooded area.
The high flood waters and pouring rain that wreaked havoc on homes and businesses around Dane County and elsewhere in the state didn’t spare the area’s nature preserves.
Darren Zhuckkahosee with On Site Logging, of Forestville, works to pull trees from the creek bed to let water flow more freely. Lloyd Eagan, president of the Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy group, said nearby residents were near tears when they learned about the destruction.
Many parts of the Pheasant Branch Creek's trails were destroyed as flood waters washed out the pavement. The city of Middleton had paved the trail and built bridges over the creek less than a decade ago to make it more accessible.
A bridge that once crossed Pheasant Branch Creek was lifted and turned from its resting place when the creek swelled. The city expects damaged bridges won't be fully replaced for months, if not a year.
Darren Zhuckkahosee, left, and Jeff Hershfield, with On Site Logging, of Forestville, maneuver around the wet and unstable terrain around the Pheasant Branch Creek as they remove fallen trees, branches and other debris that could clog the creek and prevent water from flowing into Lake Mendota — potentially causing more flooding.
The city of Middleton is accepting donations to restore Pheasant Branch Conservancy, including the creek corridor. Those wishing to donate cans end a check with a note including "Flood Relief PBC Work" to City of Middleton, c/o City Administrator, 7426 Hubbard Ave., Middleton, WI 53562.
Construction crews work on clearing trees and brush from the clogged Pheasant Branch Creek Thursday. High water from August's storms washed away the tree-covered hill that once sloped down to the creek, leaving a bluff in its place and dropping trees into the waterway.
Darren Zhuckkahosee, left, and Jeff Hershfield, with On Site Logging, of Forestville, maneuver around the wet and unstable terrain around the Pheasant Branch Creek as they remove fallen trees, branches and other debris that could clog the creek and prevent water from flowing into Lake Mendota — potentially causing more flooding.
Darren Zhuckkahosee with On Site Logging, of Forestville, works to pull trees from the creek bed to let water flow more freely. Lloyd Eagan, president of the Friends of Pheasant Branch Conservancy group, said nearby residents were near tears when they learned about the destruction.
Many parts of the Pheasant Branch Creek's trails were destroyed as flood waters washed out the pavement. The city of Middleton had paved the trail and built bridges over the creek less than a decade ago to make it more accessible.
A bridge that once crossed Pheasant Branch Creek was lifted and turned from its resting place when the creek swelled. The city expects damaged bridges won't be fully replaced for months, if not a year.
