August Hoppe, Secretary of Ulao Creek Partnership, romoves a log jam which limited the passage of northern pike and other aquatic life.

Volunteers successfully removed for fish passage barriers on Ulao Creek.  Pictured left to right are Geoff Schramm, Richard and Laura Weber, and August Hoppe.

others helping out

Ulao Creek free flowing again.

The Ulao Creek Partnership (UCP) removed 4 barriers which likely prevented northern pike from getting upstream to desirable spawning areas in and along Ulao Creek.

These barriers consisting of log jams and woody debris were removed from the lower reaches of Ulao Creek on the Elsie Corsentino and Tom Mayer properties close to where the creek outlets into the Milwaukee River.

In early spring, northern pike in the Milwaukee River enter Ulao Creek with the desire to spawn upstream in the many shallow wetlands adjacent to the creek. The eggs are laid on submerged vegetation on which they adhere and hatch in less than 2 weeks.

Tim Kaul, past Ulao Creek Partnership President and landowner in the upper reaches of the creek, indicated it was common years ago to see large northern pike spawning in the shallow wetlands on his farm.

In an effort to provide fish and other aquatic life the ability to more freely move up and downstream, the Ozaukee County Planning, Resources and Land Management Department applied for and received funds from the Wisconsin Coastal Management Program to complete an inventory of stream passage impediments on 14 streams, one being Ulao Creek. The inventory completed by Northern Environmental Technologies identified 100 suspected fish passage barriers in the 14 streams.

Fish and other aquatic species to complete their life cycle, must often travel great distances to find suitable habitat for spawning, rearing young, or surviving the winter. Unfortunately, dams, improperly placed culverts, other artificial structures and natural occurring barriers fragment and isolate parts of many rivers and streams.

It is hoped this effort and other projects completed by the Ulao Creek Partnership will further promote a more healthy and diverse Ulao Creek ecosystem.