Sturgeon trail improvements underway
By John Faucher
A major project aimed at improving Lake Sturgeon spawning habitat along County Trunk X began Monday, Sept. 28.
Major sponsors of the habitat project include the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Shadows on the Wolf, Sturgeon for Tomorrow and Waupaca County Parks.
County X will be closed during the duration of the three to four week project, from Big Eddy Road to the Northport Bridge, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Shadows on the Wolf Project manager Ace Van Stratton said the existing rock along the Wolf River Sturgeon Trail is smaller than optimal size and has sloughed down the bank over the years due to gravity and current flows from the river.
“Approximately 1500 feet of river bank will be re-rocked with 12-24-inch stone,” Van Stratton said. “We will be increasing the bottom of the slope by 5 feet and re-tapper it to the top of the sturgeon trail.”
Crews will also replace the deteriorating asphalt trail with crushed screenings.
Van Stratton said the trail would be raised approximately 1 foot.
“Several corporate sponsors are also involved in helping to facilitate this project,” said Van Stratton.
Wisconsin Interstate Contracting, Lunda Construction, Ort Trucking, Storm Equipment and MCC Construction are contributing professional services and resources to the project.
Shadows on the Wolf will also install a new fishing pier along the trail as part of the overall improvement project.