A Waunakee organization is dedicated to keeping Six Mile Creek flowing, with volunteers clearing logjams.
The Friends of Six Mile Creek spoke about their efforts to ensure the creek remains open and is navigable at the Oct. 9 Waunakee Rotary Club meeting.
David Dies and Phil Simon are both members of the Friends group. David has lived in Waunakee since 1989, and Phil was born and raised in the community. Up until recently the Friends group has been very loose knit, David said, and has partnered with Capitol Water Trails, another more established organization also dedicated to ensuring waterways in the area are navigable. Capitol Water Trails has also worked with the Sugar River, Token Creek and other waterways.
In addition to ensuring paddlers can navigate Six Mile Creek, the Friends group’s work results in reducing local flooding during heavy rain events. And as stagnant waters are cleared, the creek’s temperature cools so it can support a more diverse ecosystem. Phil said he would like to see it upgraded to a trout stream.
The Friends of Six Mile Creek was inspired by Sam Kaufmann, a current village trustee, in 2020, when he was looking for something to do. He and Vaughn Frye began clearing out sections and then reached out to Village of Waunakee officials for help.
A Facebook group was started and now has 562 members, with 10 to 12 providing actual labor on a regular basis. Those 10 to 12 people meet about once a month to remove blockages and open up sections.
The blockages and stagnant waters lead to algae forming, and the creek finds other places along the riverbank to flow, affecting tree trunks and causing more blockages.
Six Mile Creek’s name is deceiving; it’s actually 12.8 males from Kingsley Road to Lake Mentota. David said the Friends group would one day like to see paddlers put in west of Waunakee and take a day trip to Lake Mendota.
The group is looking for a way for others to report blockages perhaps using some form of GPS. And it’s looking toward its sustainability in the future with new, younger members joining.
Another goal is to establish access points for paddlers, but the first step is to have the creek cleared. Using the creek as a recreational resource is also part of the Village of Waunakee’s comprehensive plan, David said.
The Friends group is working to formalize the organization now and has filed articles of incorporation, he said. The next step will be to pursue nonprofit status. In the meantime, Capitol Water Trails successfully applied for a grant from the Endres Manufacturing Foundation and has provided funds to the Friends of Six Mile Creek to purchase chainsaws and a winch.
The group is now working to get the word out, and had a presence at Waunakee’s first Sustainability Fair. Anyone is welcome to join them as they don waders and work to remove brush and logs from Six Mile Creek.
The next work day is Nov. 1 when they’ll meet at the Enchanted View Lane access at 9 a.m. To keep up with the Friends of Six Mile Creek, visit the Facebook page.
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Other News
The club inducted Bernard “Bernie” Kennedy as a member. Welcome, Bernie!
Linda Marty Schmitz spoke on behalf of Jim who passed away recently and talked about her involvement with the Dementia Friendly Committee which meets every other month. They could use new members.
Coming up
The Sunrise Rotary meeting is Oct. 14 at Grace Coffee.
Boo Bash is Oct. 15, and members can help with the Kettle Korn stand starting around 3 p.m. at the depot.
Food for Kidz is Oct. 19 at Dane Manufacturing. About 1,000 people have signed up.
Guests: Linda Marty Schmitz; David Dies and Phil Simon, guest of the club; Mark Penfield.
Greeters: Oct. 16, Nancy Thomas and Pat Durden; Oct. 23, Ross Mauer and Jeff Smith; Oct. 30, Shelley Moffatt and David Rupp.
To sign up to greet or to find out if you are greeting, visit:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/805054CAAAA2CA7F85-44320149-2023#/
