Willow Creek - WARCS Traditional Cache

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Hidden : 1/1/2014
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

This cache is part of the WARCS (Waushara Area Rivers, Creeks, and Streams) series.

photo 20140101_160750.jpg

Willow Creek is a stream that meanders and carries on for 42.34 miles before ultimately emptying into Lake Poygan. The creek has its origin south of Wild Rose, with the first 11.9 miles (Headwaters to Blackhawk Road) being classified as Class I trout waters. The next 16.25 miles of the creek Blackhawk Road to 29th Lane) are Class II trout waters. The remainder of the creek, from just before the Auroraville Mill Pond (29th Lane) to Lake Poygan are not classified as a trout stream. Willow Creek is designated as an Outstanding Resource Waters area upstream from Redgranite (see description below).

The Willow Creek Fishery Area is composed of Willow Creek and three tributaries: Rattlesnake, Thornstead (Bruce), and Cedar Spring Creek. These streams are quality trout waters. The waters are generally crystal clear. There have been numerous stream bank improvement projects throughout the system enhancing the already excellent fishing opportunities. The vegetative cover is rich with diversity with a large portion being lowland brush and swamp hardwoods to upland forests and grasslands. Additionally, many old agricultural fields have been abandoned and are reverting to natural vegetation; others have planted into pine plantations, converted into native prairies, or continued to be farmed in share crop agreements. This unique mix of woods, water, and fields provides prime habitat for a variety of game and non-game species as well offering a pleasant satisfaction to all who visit this natural and beautiful area.

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.

Please dress appropriately for the various hunting seasons in Wisconsin, as this cache is located on public hunting land.

The Geocache Notification Form has been submitted to the Wautoma Service Center of the Wisconsin DNR. Geocaches placed on Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources managed lands require permission by means of a notification form. Please print out a copy of the notification form, fill in all required information, then submit it to the land manager. The DNR Notification form and land manager information can be obtained here.

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