Project implementation for muskeg creek stream monitoring and habitat restoration aims to address key conservation priorities in the wisconsin lake superior basin and IT aligns closely with the…

Trout Unlimited, Inc. received a Cooperative Agreement award of $187,525.98 from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the National Wildlife Refuge System Enhancements program (CFDA 15.654), effective June 1, 2025, with a completion date of May 19, 2028. This award funds the second and final phase of the Muskeg Creek Stream Monitoring and Habitat Restoration project, which addresses conservation priorities within the Wisconsin Lake Superior Basin and aligns with the Headwaters to Coast Initiative. The project will restore a minimum of 0.3 miles of in-stream habitat in Muskeg Creek (a Class II trout stream and brook trout reserve located in northwest Wisconsin) through the addition of large woody debris and pre- and post-restoration temperature monitoring to assess thermal properties before and after woody cover removal.

The project demonstrates collaborative conservation through partnerships with the Ruffed Grouse Society and Superior Rivers Watershed Association as sub-recipients. A key feature involves repurposing woody material removed during the Ruffed Grouse Society's separate Great Lakes Restoration Initiative barrens habitat restoration project near Oulu, Wisconsin to supply large woody debris for stream restoration. The initiative directly supports Headwaters to Coast Initiative priority areas including community engagement, healthy habitats, and water quality and hydrologic integrity. Project deliverables include habitat restoration completion, monitoring activities, stakeholder engagement, and a final project report upon completion.

Project implementation for muskeg creek stream monitoring and habitat restoration aims to address key conservation priorities in the wisconsin lake superior basin and IT aligns closely with the objectives of the headwaters to coast initiative. This proposal represents the second and final phase of a two phase project encompassing pre construction planning and monitoring habitat restoration and construction activities post restoration monitoring and maintenance and the completion of a final project report.muskeg creek stream monitoring and habitat restoration aims to address key conservation priorities in the wisconsin lake superior basin and IT aligns closely with the objectives of the headwaters to coast initiative. This project will restore a minimum of 0.3 miles of in-stream habitat through the addition of large woody debris and will also focus on temperature monitoring within muskeg creek located in NW wisconsin. Muskeg creek is a lake superior tributary and is a class II trout stream and brook trout reserve. Ruffed grouse society is leading a separate great lakes restoration initiative project near oulu WI where private landowners have agreed to have barrens habitat restored. This project will monitor muskeg creek thermal properties before and after removal of woody cover in the proposed area and will repurpose the wood removed during the RGS barrens habitat project to provide large woody habitat in muskeg creek. This project directly supports several priority areas outlined by the H2C initiative including community engagement healthy habitats and water quality and hydrologic integrity. Collaboration with RGS provides a unique opportunity to not only locally improve wildlife habitat but also to maintain optimal water quality in muskeg creek and provide habitat restoration with large woody debris supplied by the private landowners.superior rivers watershed association is a sub-recipient under this award and will be helping with project monitoring and stakeholder engagement. Srwa was identified for this role due to the organizations robust existing monitoring program and ties to community stakeholder groups based in the project area.