Stricker Forebay Dredge
August 11, 2025 Update
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.
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Project Information
Project Overview
The City of Madison Stormwater Utility will be dredging the constructed stormwater forebay at the park called Stricker's Pond. The forebay itself is adjacent to the larger pond and is located at 1126 Middleton Street. This project includes dredging the entire forebay several feet which will remove an estimated 4,000 cy. This project will also install catch basins to collect sediment upstream prior to entering the forebay to reduce future maintenance dredging.
As part of the project, the city will hire a wildlife biologist to relocate and minimize impacts to herptiles within the forebay associated with construction. This project will also include ecological restoration in areas disturbed by the dredging and catch basin work.
This project will start in late fall (November/December) 2025.
Project Limits
1126 Middleton Street East of the Bike Path
Project Schedule
Construction starting November/December 2025 and ending in Spring 2026
Public Involvement
There are a number of points of contact during this project where the public is encouraged to give feedback as part of public information meetings and public hearings. Dates, times and locations are indicated below:
Public Information Meetings
May 13, 2025 Public Information Meeting PowerPoint Presentation
May 13, 2025 Public Information Meeting Recording
City Process, Meetings
Common Council 8/5/2025
Board of Public Works 7/16/2025