Bird Creek - WARCS Traditional Geocache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(micro)
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This cache is part of the WARCS (Waushara Area Rivers, Creeks, and Streams) series.
The cache can be accessed either from Bird Creek Park or from the direction of the Wautoma High School. There are an ample number of safe parking options within a reasonable distance from the cache.
Bird Creek is a Class I trout stream that meanders 4.67 miles before emptying into the White River. Bowers Creek joins Bird Creek just north of Bird Creek Park in the City of Wautoma. Bird Creek is designated as an Exceptional Resource Waters area (see description below).
Bird Creek is an integral part of the White River System Fishery Area, which includes some of the choicest trout waters found anywhere in the State of Wisconsin. The streams on this system are renowned for their ability to provide quality trout angling year after year, and the fact that they are among the few trout streams in all of Wisconsin where a naturally reproducing population of rainbow trout exists. The cold temperature and the crystal clarity allow it to be the excellent trout waters that they are.
Wisconsin has designated many of the state’s highest quality waters as Outstanding Resource Waters (ORWs) or Exceptional Resource Waters (ERWs). Waters designated as ORW or ERW are surface waters which provide outstanding recreational opportunities, support valuable fisheries and wildlife habitat, have good water quality, and are not significantly impacted by human activities. ORW and ERW status identifies waters that the State of Wisconsin has determined warrant additional protection from the effects of pollution. These designations are intended to meet federal Clean Water Act obligations requiring Wisconsin to adopt an “antidegradation” policy that is designed to prevent any lowering of water quality – especially in those waters having significant ecological or cultural value.
ORWs receive the state’s highest protection standards, with ERWs a close second. ORWs and ERWs share many of the same environmental and ecological characteristics. ORWs typically do not have any point sources discharging pollutants directly to the water (for instance, no industrial sources or municipal sewage treatment plants), though they may receive runoff from nonpoint sources. New discharges may be permitted only if their effluent quality is equal to or better than the background water quality of that waterway at all times—no increases of pollutant levels are allowed.
The area leading into and around the cache may be fairly wet at times of snow melt or high water conditions. There is a fairly visible trail leading you along Bird Creek in the area of the trail; however, it is very uneven and may become overgrown in the warmer months. It is an excellent place to explore on snowshoes.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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