Tributary work is the single most important contribution we can make to the health of the Wolf River and its watershed. Clearing obstruction to flow sends cold water in the summer and warm water in the winter directly into the Wolf, right when it is needed. Clearing obstructions also opens these small creeks to natural reproduction. Its a win win win for the Mighty Wolf!

Carbonari Creek was occupied by a pair of beaver in 2015. I contacted the WDNR, and they contacted their trapper, John Carbonari, who removed the beaver and the dams. These pictures are of the lower dam before and after beaver removal.

On June 29th, 2023 John and I removed a beaver dam on Hollister Creek. In the following weeks multiple check dams were removed as we worked up stream, reaching the lower fork by September. Hollister creek is a known trout producer for the Wolf River, but was blocked close to the confluence. I planted a thermistor near the confluence of Hollister Creek and the Wolf 325 feet below the dam on June 23rd, 2023. The following chart shows the creek temperature before and after dam removal compared to the air temperature.

Dates                                  Hollister Air Average Temperature         Hollister Creek Average Temperature         Difference                

6-24-23 to 6-28-23                                66.79                                                           56.68                                      -10.11

6-30-23 to 7-4-23                                  71.42                                                           56.68                                      -14.74             

The creek temperatures are not a typo. The water averaged exactly 56.68 degrees in the five days before and after the dam removal, but the average air temperature rose 4.63 degrees!