LAKE BELLE VIEW RESTORATION PROJECT SUMMARY UPDATED 2010

DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT AREA

The project area includes the Sugar River, Lake Belle View, floodplain forest and various wetland communities totaling in 133 acres. Bordering the project area are a park (Community Park), residences, roads, and farmland. Two river channels, the Sugar River and West Branch Sugar River converge several miles upstream of Lake Belle View. The Sugar River watershed is highly agricultural and experiencing rapid urban growth. The Village of Belleville owns Lake Belle View, Community Park and the dam.

The Sugar River and Lake Belle View co-mingle freely. The quality of the river system is further reduced by the extensive warming of the water by the shallow turbid lake resulting in a warming of the Sugar River and thermal pollution downstream of the dam.

It is estimated that 4 feet of river-borne sediment has accumulated in the lake since 1926, resulting in a mean depth of 2 feet and a maximum depth of less than 10 feet in the 92-acre lake. The lake has the distinctive water quality and fishery problems associated with aging impoundments including sedimentation, turbidity, lack of aquatic plant diversity, excessive nutrients and algal blooms. Excessive biological production, such as the growth of algae, which reduces water clarity and ultimately leads to depressing oxygen levels in the lake, reduces water quality.  Surface runoff from agricultural and urban areas draining into the river has magnified water quality issues.

PROJECT GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

The goal of the project is to provide water quality improvements to the Sugar River by reducing rough fish habitat, thermal pollution and improvement of river system connectivity.  This would be accomplished by separating the lake from the river system by constructing a berm, and possibly by development of a kayak run/fish passage around the dam.  This project is unique in its approach of maintaining both bodies of water while allowing the river to run continuously past the lake. The following objectives have been identified to meet the community's primary goals: (1) Improve water quality in Lake Belle View and the Sugar River, (2) Increase lake depths, (3) Increase diversity of aquatic habitat (4) Improve diversity and quality of wetland habitat at the perimeter of the lake and beyond and (5) Improve the ecosystem's natural beauty. Objectives also include allowing the river to maintain velocity through and around the lake; preventing deposit of sediments and nutrients into the lake; and restoring the cool water fishery in the river downstream of the dam.

The opinion of probable cost for the recommended Base Plan is $2,030,000, which leaves a funding gap of $650,000. The Village anticipates pursuing another round of WDNR grants as well as identifying and pursuing other grant sources, which could reduce the funding gap. However, those grants are not currently in-hand. Additional funding may allow for more extensive dredging, and other project enhancements such as a fish ladder, kayak run, Community Park improvements and installation of a pedestrian bridge over the Sugar River from Community Park to the downtown (the former bridge was destroyed by August 2007 flooding).

The separation berm would result in an approximately 40-acre surface area of Lake Belle View with an additional 30 acres of surface area on the river side of the berm. The project will include creation of the berm core and overlay, structure stabilization, and revegetation. Some of the lake dredge material will be deposited to help construct the berm. Separate engineering drawings, hydraulic analysis, environmental assessment, detailed wetland restoration plans, and other documents detailing specific project elements are available upon request.

The berm will extend from a road right-of-way near the Bellrose (Town of Montrose) and North Shore neighborhoods, to Community Park and Downtown Belleville. It is hoped that a linkage could also be installed the short distance along the riverfront from Downtown Belleville to the Badger State Bike Trail through Bellevilles central corridor. The berm could be used as a pedestrian walkway for wildlife observation or as a bike path connection for neighborhoods north of the Lake to the Park and downtown Belleville on the south and east. Some limited pedestrian access to the island enhancement/habitat areas through the creation of nature trails may be created.

The project team is led by Montgomery Associates: Resource Solutions, LLC (MARS) with additional subcontracted firms in support of geotechnical, structural, and restoration design as necessary, including Eco-Resources Consulting, Agrecol Corporation, R.W. Christianson, Inc., Spatial Data Surveys, and GKS consultants.

RECREATIONAL AND OTHER ENHANCEMENTS

The Village has included in the pre-engineering phase the consideration of the potential for a fish ladder. The fish ladder could be designed to include other recreational benefits, such as a kayak run. Installation of fish ladder will increase aquatic diversity by facilitating the upstream movement of fish species, such as small-mouth bass, with potential benefits to large-mouth bass and bluegill. The project will recreate this area of the Sugar River as a fish-friendly habitat, allowing the passage of fish to upstream areas of the river. If constructed, the kayak run may be the only such kayak run in Dane County.

Both of these features would be a great recreational opportunity and complement economic development objectives to increase recreation tourism in conjunction with the new Badger State Trail nearby. This trail is a 40-mile trail from Madison to the Illinois State line that allows for bicycling, hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. A trail connection along the riverfront to Community Park, Lake Belle View, and Sugar River to the west, would offer supporting facilities to these visitors who ask about concession and restroom facilities. It would offer a place of quiet rest, and also help to support downtown retail and dining businesses.

Again, the extent of the recreational enhancements will be dependent on closing of the funding gap and success of grant and fund raising efforts.

Other enhancements:

?        Fishing - Dredging of the lake to a maximum depth of 8  10 feet is proposed. The deepest areas would be located around the park to minimize the amount of rooted vegetation, although pockets of shallower areas could be included to promote fishing opportunities from lake shore.

?        Waterbody Recreation - The lake restoration project would feature canoeing, kayaking, fishing, quiet water sports, and ice-skating in the winter, which will be greatly enhanced by increased water depths.  Multiple portage locations would be included. Proximity to the Community Park will provide facilities for all types of recreational activity participants.

?        Connection to Community Park  Community Park, a 13-acre island located immediately north of downtown in the southeast corner of the lake, will be made more accessible from the northern neighborhoods via a new trail. The park offers the following activities, available all or most of the year: Football, baseball, tennis, basketball, and picnicking. Facilities include concessions, playgrounds, parking, boat launches and restroom facilities.

However, surface water drainage on the site is poor, resulting in turf damage and generally poor recreation and general use conditions. The proposed Lake Belle View Restoration Project has the potential to provide the fill material necessary to raise the park and improve drainage at a cost much less than hauling in material from offsite. The Base Plan calls for approximately 100,000 cubic yards (CY) to be excavated from specified areas of the Lake and replaced around the existing islands to augment habitat (which also reduces overall project cost). Approximately 20,000 CY of the dredged material could be used to raise a portion of the park 5 feet. Raising the park would improve drainage and increase the amount of usable time available for sporting activities. A preliminary engineering study is being conducted to better define the park improvements and associated costs. Very preliminary construction cost estimates vary from $220,000 - $290,000.

ISLAND ENHANCEMENT AND HABITAT CREATION.

Dredge material will be placed around the existing lake islands to enhance the islands and create additional rare forested floodplain habitat areas. These materials will stabilize existing islands, made weak by sandy and shallow conditions. Reestablishment of forested floodplain habitat and installation of nature observation areas may attract bird watchers from all over the region. Forested floodplains are rarer habitat areas that provide habitats for several declining songbird species, including the Prothonotary Warbler.

EXISTING AND PROSED PARTNERSHIPS

Current partners include the Village of Belleville as project sponsor, the Town of Montrose and Dane County, which all have contributed funding for this proposed project.  Extensive public involvement has been part of developing this project over the past 20+ years.  The Upper Sugar River Watershed Association has actively participated in development of this project.  DNR, NRCS and US Fish and Wildlife staff have provided guidance and advice in project development.  Previously the University of Wisconsin and the ACOE have completed studies and recommendations for the lake/river improvement similar to those currently being proposed.  Future partners will be pursued. Public participation, including Village and Town of Montrose residents, has been encouraged throughout the process from numerous newspaper articles, open house, DNR public hearing, web postings, and the availability of reports for public viewing.

TIMETABLE

Construction will begin in mid-2010 if permits are received, and will be completed within two construction seasons or less.  Items that are completed include approval of the base plan, preliminary engineering, and submission of permit applications. The lake is currently drawn down in preparation for construction, and the project is in final engineering and design. The early drawdown will allow the thick sediment deposits in the bottom of Lake Belle View to dry out and become more compact. This will make removing the sediment easier and more cost effective. It will also help to avoid impacts on hibernating reptiles and amphibians. The Village is working with both the DNR and the Army Corps of Engineers as part of permitting/approval process needed to implement this project.