Driftless Area Stream Restoration Symposium 2025

Driftless Symposium Schedule

Tuesday February 25, 2025

8:00-9:00 am                    Check in. On-site registration (cash or check only)

9:00-9:30 am                    Welcome from TUDARE, Sessions begin            Sara Strassman

9:30-9:50am                     Wisconsin's Brook Trout Reserves Confront

          the Challenges of Climate Change

Presenter: Paul Cunningham  (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources)

Summary: The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is beginning to implement the Brook Trout Reserves program, a new initiative to protect Wisconsin’s native brook trout populations from changing environmental conditions. Brook Trout Reserves are a selection of some of the places in Wisconsin where brook trout have the best chance of enduring the effects of climate change and other environmental perturbations. Landscape-level conservation planning conducted by the Brook Trout Reserves Team has identified 54 Brook Trout Reserves encompassing 205 sub watersheds.  These strongholds represent the best brook trout populations and their habitat that will persist in the face of climate change.  We further characterize existing and potential biological, environmental, and climatic threats among the reserves and suggest an adaptation framework for their management.

9:50-10:10am                  Towards a Better Understanding of Variability in Trout Stream                                                                                                                                                        Temperatures in the Central Driftless Area

Presenters:  Audrey Sorensen, Emma Walkowiak, and Jason Freund (UW La Crosse - Biology Department)

Summary: We are presenting data from nearly a dozen and a half temperature loggers placed across the central Driftless Area. We were interested in the daily and seasonal variability in stream temperatures and what they tell us about groundwater inputs to streams. We feel this research will help inform us about how streams will continue to respond to climate change and help direct climate change mitigation efforts. 

10:10-10:30 am               Break

10:30—10-50am            Advancing DARE in the Volga River Watershed: Using Water

Temperature and Fish Assemblages to Improve Stream

Classifications in Iowa’s Driftless Region (Remote)

Presenter: Rich Walker, Department of Biology, Geology, and Environmental Science, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Summary: Cold-water stream habitats are limited in the state of Iowa. Of the over 70,000 estimated miles of rivers and streams in the state, only about 500 miles in NE Iowa are thought to be cold-water. Many of these streams have yet to be fully assessed, which could lead to incorrect classification and management. Accurately classifying these streams will better inform policy makers and resource managers so these unique Iowa resources can be protected. The goal of our cold-water inventory is to improve our understanding of the distribution and status of cold-water streams within the Volga River drainage, a major tributary to the Turkey River watershed. Assessing stream habitat, water quality, and water temperatures throughout the Volga River drainage will allow us to better understand how abiotic stream conditions influence their biology. In addition, these assessments will provide cold-water stream reclassification recommendations to the Iowa DNR to improve the accuracy of Iowa’s surface water classification system.

10:50-11:10am                Statewide Assessment of Pesticide Concentrations

                                         in Wisconsin Streams and Rivers

Presenter: Mike Miller, Stream Ecologist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Summary: A statewide survey of pesticide concentrations in Wisconsin streams and rivers was done in 2022. Sample sites were stratified by Strahler stream order and upstream watershed land uses dominated by either vegetable cropping, corn and soybean production, urban green space, or a stratum excluding the previous land use classes. Single water column grab samples collected from each of 101 survey sites were analyzed using gas and liquid chromatography to test for 378 different pesticides and transformation compounds. A total of 140 different pesticide compounds were identified statewide. The number of different compounds detected at individual sites ranged from 9 to 92, with an average of 28 compounds.

11:10-11:30am                Brown Trout Population Trends in the Upper Driftless Region and                                                                                                                                                  Adaptive Management Strategies to Aid in Population Level                                                                                                                                                            Changes

Presenter:         Kasey Yallaly, Senior Fisheries Biologist, Wisconsin Department of Natural                     Resources

Summary: Brown trout population characteristics have changed drastically in the Driftless Area within the past several decades. In general, brown trout populations have increased in density while size structure has declined in many streams. Management of the species through actions including stocking, regulations changes, and habitat improvements have influenced these changes, but adaptive management strategies are necessary to successfully achieve management goals. Therefore, future regulation changes are proposed with the goal of reducing densities and improving size structure but changes in angler attitudes and perceptions of harvesting trout are needed to achieve these goals.

11:30-12:00pm                A Brook Trout Conservation Portfolio

Assessment and Application to the Driftless Area

Presenter: Dan Dauwalter, Fisheries Science Director, Trout Unlimited

Summary: The Brook Trout Conservation Portfolio Assessment is a broadscale spatial assessment that integrates information on interconnected Brook Trout habitat patches based on known barriers, population data, and habitat impairment data for use in conservation planning and decision making. It has been developed across the range of eastern Brook Trout, including the Great Lakes.  DARE and TU are looking to apply the portfolio to the Driftless Area, which will complete its application to the entire range of native Brook Trout in the U.S.

12:00-1:30         Lunch on your own (You may wish to check they are open today.)

Suggestions per Fred Spademan, Coulee Region TU: 4 Sisters - 1 block away - Good, varied menu, Tapas, beautiful view - moderately priced.  Buzzard Billy's - 1 block away - Cajun bar food - moderately priced.  Charmont Hotel - 1 block away- Limited lunch menu, beautiful boutique hotel, nice views - higher priced.  Free Range Exchange - 3 blocks away - Farm to table coffee shop - baked goods, soup and sandwiches - moderately priced.  Grounded Patio Coffee - 2 blocks away - Sandwiches and good coffee - moderately priced.  Pizzeria Doloroso - 2 blocks away - Fancy NY style pizza, full or by the slice at lunch - moderate+ priced.  Taco Broz - 2 blocks away - fast, cheap but good food truck Mexican - Less expensive.  Taqueria Pata Azul - 2 blocks away - cool vibe, really good street tacos and similar food - moderately priced.  The Breakfast Club - 1 block away - 1980s movie-focused, serves breakfast for lunch - moderately priced.  The Crow - 1 block away - Gastro-pub burgers, mac and cheese, sandwiches and appetizers - moderately priced.  Waterfront Pub - 1 block away - good lunch food at moderate+ price.  Subway, Qdoba - 1 block away at Third and Pearl 

1:30-2:05pm                     Restoring a Cool-Cold Treasure of Dane County

Presenter:         James Brodzeller, Watershed Coordinator,

Dane County Land & Water Resources Department

Summary: Black Earth Creek has a deep angling history and is part of the cultural fabric of the Southeast Driftless. Fueled by implementation of a watershed-specific green infrastructure plan, nearly a mile of the prized fishery was restored in 2024 utilizing principles of natural channel design. With climate resiliency at the forefront of Dane County conservation work, the project is being used as a demonstration site highlighting practices that jointly benefit the environment, public safety and overall community well-being.

2:05-2:35pm                     How Long do Stream Habitat Projects Last?

Presenter: Doug Dieterman, Fisheries Research-Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Summary: This talk will review the history of stream habitat projects in southeast Minnesota with an emphasis on quantifying how long past projects have functioned before requiring maintenance or needing to be completely redone.  The talk will also provide some insight into different design styles that have been used and if project longevity has differed among those designs.  This information should help managers, engineers, consultants, and the public better understand the longevity of their investments and help plan for future maintenance needs.

2:40-3:00pm                     Brook Trout Management and Restoration

         in the Iowa Driftless Region

Presenter:         Caleb Schnitzler: Natural Resources Biologist,

Iowa Department of Natural Resources

Summary: Although Brook Trout were likely native to Northeast Iowa, early degradation of streams led to widespread extirpations. The first fishing regulations in Iowa, enacted in 1862, pertained to gear restrictions and seasons for trout. Stocking records show that Brook Trout stockings occurred in an official capacity as early as 1875. Brook Trout were a common part of early fish stockings, but disappeared from Iowa stocking records by 1956. Brook Trout remained largely absent from the trout program until 1993 when fingerling and catchable Brook Trout stockings resumed. The first genetic evaluation of Iowa Brook Trout suggested the South Pine population was a unique population, but with low genetic diversity. As a result, South Pine fingerlings were used to restore Iowa Brook Trout fisheries beginning in the mid-1990s. Recently, another genetic evaluation confirmed the population was unique and that it contained adequate genetic diversity. The evaluation also identified 12 streams where the restoration efforts were successful and 5 streams that had non-native Brook Trout ancestries. Additional populations continue to be developed to protect the unique South Pine ancestry from a catastrophic loss. Since the mid-1990s, 45 streams have received restoration stockings. We also identified 3 streams where removal of non-native salmonids may be possible to promote native Brook Trout recovery. Two streams where barriers should prevent Brown Trout recolonization were selected for their removal. Today, work to expand Brook Trout fisheries in Iowa continues beyond the 20 streams where they currently exist.

3:00-3:20pm                     Confluence: Dave Vetrano’s Impact

         and Legacy on Driftless Trout Fisheries

Presenter: Duke Welter, TUDARE (Ret.)

Summary: As a DNR fisheries biologist for over 30 years in the heart of Wisconsin’s Driftless Area, Dave Vetrano developed the LUNKER habitat structure and laid the foundation for the feral trout stocking program. He brought together volunteers and conservation agencies to expand habitat work, and used Inland Trout Stamp dollars as seed money for new projects. Eventually his projects expanded their focus toward broader watershed ecological benefits and habitat for multiple nongame species. We would be wise to continue his approaches: innovation, research, risk-taking, and learning.  Dave died in November 2024.

3:20-3:40pm                     Break

3:40-4:00pm                     Three Steps Forward, Two Steps Back:

        Water Quality Success Stories and Remaining Challenges

Presenter: Shawn Giblin, Mississippi River Water Quality Specialist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Summary: America has launched many great ideas. The Clean Water Act and the many water pollution reduction activities that followed may rank as America’s best idea. Massive surface water reductions in pollutants like PCBs, DDT, mercury, heavy metals, and more recently phosphorus, rank high among the many water success stories. As we move forward, we need to have a clear-eyed view of water pollution that isn’t being adequately addressed. Rising nitrogen and current use pesticide loading are two vital areas to pivot our pollution reduction efforts toward as look to pass clean water on to our children and grandchildren.

4:00-4:40pm                     No Hatch to Match?

        The Uses and Impacts of Neonics in the Driftless Region

Presenters:      Ellen Voss, Climate Resilience Director, River Alliance of Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Neonic Workgroup, Kristen Poppleton, Assistant Director, Minnesota Trout Unlimited

Summary: Have you noticed a decrease in insect hatches in recent years? A growing body of research links insect population decline to the widespread use of pesticides, including neonicotinoids (or "neonics"). Neonics are highly toxic to aquatic invertebrates that form the base of aquatic food webs. In this presentation, we'll provide updates on the extent of neonic pesticide use and associated impacts in the Driftless Region with a focus on surface and groundwater and non-target insects and vertebrates. The current status of state, national, and international regulatory efforts will also be covered as well as how individuals can get involved.

4:40-5:00pm     Informing nitrate concentration trends in Minnesota's Driftless area:                                                                                                                                             estimating groundwater residence time in a karstic, multiaquifer                                                                                                                                                      system, and the implications for stream water quality monitoring

Presenters: Kevin Kuehner, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Pesticide and Fertilizer Management Division, Tony Runkel (speaker), Minnesota Geological Survey, University of Minnesota, John Barry, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Ecological and Water Resources

Summary: We present the recently published results of a study that uses a unique method to analyze groundwater age and nitrate trends in the Driftless area of southeastern Minnesota. We demonstrate that the groundwater contributing the baseflow to cold-water streams in this region can in some places be dominated by relatively young water (~1 decade old) with high and variable nitrate concentrations that reflect recent agricultural activity and changes in precipitation. In other places groundwater baseflow to streams is several decades old, and the nitrate concentrations and trends, which are lower but typically increasing, are reflective of dilution by pristine groundwater, and agricultural activity that occurred decades ago. This has important implications for monitoring of Driftless area streams. For example, it will be difficult to measure the effectiveness of attempts to decrease nitrogen loss to groundwater through improved agricultural practices using most current monitoring techniques.

5:00-6:00pm                     Dinner on your own

6:00-9:00pm                     Desert bar, activities, and evening networking

                                          with Wisconsin Wetlands Association

Driftless Area Restoration Area Staff

Sara Strassman, Manager          sara.strassman@tu.org

Paul Krahn, Stream Restoration Specialist        paul.krahn@tu.org

Cameron Aker, Iowa Driftless Outreach Coordinator   cameron.aker@tu.org

Peter Jonas, Partnership Specialist       peter.jonas@tu.org

Thank you to all our presenters!

A big thank you to Jeff Hastings, TUDARE (Ret.) for videotaping this year’s symposium.  Videos will be posted on the TUDARE YouTube channel.

A big thank you to Fred Spademan for the deep dive into area restaurants.

Thank you to Jerry Sapp Lee Wulf-TU for inspiring the Riparian Forest workshop.

Thank you to Louise Mauldin, Heidi Keuler, and Jason Freund for being ready hands on deck.