Stricker Forebay Dredge

Amphibian relocation work is underway at Stricker's forebay to capture and relocate herptiles prior to winter dredging operations.

Today, Heartland Ecological Group has installed solar and hoop traps to capture turtles so they can be relocated prior to the dredge work. These traps will be checked daily.

Tonight, Heartland Ecological Group will perform a meander survey for frogs and relocate captured frogs to other ponds within the City of Madison.

The City of Middleton lowers the water level of the larger pond each fall. As water levels in the forebay decline, wildlife ecologists will monitor populations and potentially relocate herptiles and minimize opportunities within the culverts for new populations to migrate into the forebay prior to winter hibernation.

Amphibian fencing will be installed on the northwest side of the path at City of Madison Stricker's Pond on Tuesday, August 12th. This fencing will minimize new populations of turtles from entering the Stricker's Pond forebay prior to dredging. Populations are still able to leave and enter the pond as the water recedes through the existing storm culverts between the pond and forebay. This fencing is part of the gradual process to encourage amphibians to relocate elsewhere.

The City of Middleton lowers water level of the larger pond each fall. As water levels in the forebay decline, wildlife ecologists will monitor populations and potentially relocate herptiles and minimize opportunities within the culverts for new populations to migrate into the forebay prior to winter hibernation.

The amphibian fencing will remain in place until winter. In order to install the fencing, the Contractor will mow a few feet along the northwest side of the path. Staff walked this section with the Contractor and marked areas not to mow, including the flowering Joe Pye Weed and Swamp rose.

The Stricker Forebay Dredge Project is on track to be bid in early August for construction starting in late fall.  To prepare for construction, the City has hired Heartland Ecological Group, LLC. to assist with minimizing impacts to frogs and turtles during construction.  Starting the week of August 11th, amphibian fencing will be installed to assist with preventing new populations of turtles from entering the forebay prior to winter hibernation season.  This is one of the many ways that Heartland will assist with minimizing impacts to frogs and turtles prior to construction. 

Thank you to everyone who attended the May 13, 2025 Public Information Meeting. The meeting materials are now available: 

May 13, 2025 Public Information Meeting PowerPoint Presentation

May 13, 2025 Public Information Meeting Recording

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A public information meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m., May 13, 2025, via Zoom. Registration prior is required.

May 13, 2025 Public Information Meeting Registration