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The Breakwall
In 1998 the Wisconsin Department of
Natural Resources constructed a 15,000 foot break wall enclosing 630
acres of Terrell's Island. The seven nesting islands rest inside of
this enclosure.
A carp barrier was installed along the
breakwall ensuring that water and nutrients will flow in but carp
will not. Carp are an invasive species and they like to root around
and upset the native vegetation. Even with the barrier some carp do
make it through and catching them is an ongoing effort.
Since building the breakwall and barrier
water clarity has increased significantly and we have seen desirable
aquatic vegetation take root in the area. Wild celery and wild rice
can now be seen with some regularity.
The wall requires periodic maintenance
to ensure that no large trees take root and try to tear it down from
the inside out. The wall may also need to be added to in the coming
years as high waters from the floods have allowed some carp to sneak
in.
We hope to one day have a 3 mile hiking
trail out on the breakwall. It would provide a unique scenic hiking
trail for the public to enjoy.
Photo courtesy of WDNR |
