Description of Beaver Dam

2.3 DEMOGRAPHICS

This section describes some of the historic demographic trends for the City of Beaver Dam as it pertains to population, age composition, housing, and school enrollment.

Population

The most recent population estimate for the City is 16,708 (2020 American Community Survey (ACS) estimate). From year 1980 to 2020, the population of Beaver Dam grew by 18%, under-pacing the growth of both Dodge County and the State. According to the Wisconsin Department of Administration population projections, the City is expected to add an additional 2,192 residents between 2020 and 2040. This represents a 13% increase over a 20-year period, or 0.66% annual growth. This projected growth rate is higher than both the County and State 20-year projections of 7% and 10%, respectively. New park lands and facilities will be necessary to attract new residents and meet the demands of new neighborhoods.

Age Composition

Age composition is an important consideration in park and recreational planning as needs and desires of individuals will vary based on their interests and physical abilities. Table 2.2 on the right summarizes the age composition of the City’s population as of 2020. Approximately 23.5% of the population is considered youth (<20 years old) and approximately 24.2% of the population is considered at retirement age (>60 years old). Since 2010, the rate of Beaver Dam residents under the age of 20 fell by 4% while the rate of residents at retirement age increased by 3.3%. The median age of City residents increased from 37.7 to 40 years old from 2010 to 2020.

Housing

As of 2020, there were 7,274 households in Beaver Dam, 28.7% of which include at least one child under 18 years old. The total number of households increased by 455 since year 2010; however, the number of households with at least one child under 18 years old declined significantly from 56.1% of all households in 2010. The average household size is 2.32 individuals, down from 2.35 in year 2000. These trends are consistent with national trends over the past several decades and can be attributed to smaller family sizes, increases in life expectancy, and increases in single parent households.

There were 7,811 total housing units in Beaver Dam as of 2020, with only 6.9% of those units being vacant. Of the occupied units, 3,878 (53.3%) are owner-occupied and 3,396 (46.7%) were renter-occupied. Placement of future park and recreational facilities should consider the location of existing or planned multi-family buildings as these housing units generally lack accessible green space and play equipment in comparison to single-family homes.

School Enrollment

The City is part of the Beaver Dam Unified School District; public and private schools in Beaver Dam are listed in Chapter 3. According to its website, the District serves approximately 3,500 students in Pre-K through 12th grade.

2.4 PHYSICAL CHARACTER AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES LAKES

Beaver Dam Lake was formed in 1842 when a 10-foot dam was constructed on the Beaver Dam River. This created a 6,542-acre impoundment that at its maximum depth is only 8 feet. Although the lake is a tremendous community asset, it also faces a number of critical issues. Chief among these issues is excess nutrients in the watershed as a result of agricultural runoff, as well as urban runoff from the City of Beaver Dam. High nutrient levels in the lake create algae blooms and exacerbate problems with invasive species.

Turbidity from soil erosion and the shallow depths of the lake have also contributed to water quality problems, including a high population of “rough” fish. Carp were introduced into the lake at the turn of the century and have subsequently wrecked havoc on the native ecosystem. Various efforts to reduce the carp population have been met with limited success. The Lake also supports a fishery of crappie, walleye, northern pike, bullheads, and buffalo fish. (Source: Dodge County Comprehensive Plan)

Invasive plant species, such as Eurasian Milfoil, have also taken advantage of the high nutrient levels and turbidity, and are a concern to the lake’s health. Erosion along the lakeshore, particularly in the less developed portions, is a major concern. The WDNR recommends the use of natural erosion control measures along Beaver Dam Lake whenever possible. (Source: Beaver Dam Watershed Report, WDNR 2002)

The City of Beaver Dam has undertaken three critical efforts to help address water quality in Beaver Dam Lake. Using a grant from the WDNR, the City developed a construction site erosion control ordinance that went into effect in 2001. Also in 2001, the City installed a large stormwater detention pond through funding obtained from the WDNR. The detention pond is located on the west side of US 151 and helps control urban stormwater runoff and pollution in the area (source: Beaver Dam Watershed Report, WIDNR 2002). The Beaver Dam Lake Improvement Association has been partnering with the WDNR to implement recommendations for shoreline restoration and native gardens to improve water quality and lake conditions.

Crystal Lake is a smaller lake, located one mile east of the City, and was created by the development of a dam across

Crystal Creek. Although only 8.5 acres, the lake provides valuable public swimming and fishing areas as part of Crystal Lake Park.

Rivers

The Beaver Dam River is the largest stream in the Beaver Dam watershed, meandering through downtown and flowing for 31 miles before eventually emptying into the Crawfish River. With Beaver Dam Lake as its source, the River faces many of the same water issues found in the Lake. Beaver Dam River is listed as an Impaired Water Body by the WDNR based on high phosphorous and sediment levels, low dissolved oxygen levels, and degraded habitat (Section 303d, 2006 list).

Park Creek, with its headwaters in the City of Beaver Dam, is also listed on the Impaired Water Body list for sediment and degraded habitat (Section 303d 2006 list).

Shaw Creek flows through the City of Beaver Dam along US 151. No major water quality issues have been identified for this creek, although a vegetated stream buffer would improve habitat and water quality (source: 2009 Beaver Dam Comprehensive Plan)

Natural Vegetation

The City of Beaver Dam has been a member of Tree City USA since 1992. The Arbor Day Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters sponsor the program which provides direction, technical assistance, public attention, and national recognition for urban and community forestry programs.

The most significant threat to the City’s urban forest is the Emerald Ash Borer. Recently found in parts of southeastern Wisconsin, the Emerald Ash Borer attacks both stressed and healthy ash trees, typically killing its host in one to three years. An estimated 60 to 70 percent of public and private trees in Beaver Dam are Ash, heightening the potential devastation this pest could have once it migrates to the City.

Wildlife

Wildlife in the City generally is concentrated along its river, creek corridors, and wetlands. The WDNR identifies a series of plant communities, plants, mussels, insects, fish, birds and reptiles within the area that are threatened or endangered. A comprehensive list can be found through the WDNR’s Natural Heritage Inventory Data (http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/ nhi/).

Beaver Dam is proud to be a designated “Bird City” since 2011. Bird City Wisconsin is a designation that encourages communities to implement bird conservation practices by offering high visibility public recognition. In order to achieve initial annual certification, the community needs to demonstrate in a written application that they have met criteria in the following categories:

• Creation and Protection of Habitat;

• Participation in Programs Promoting Effective Community Forest Management;

• Limiting or Removing Hazards to Birds;

• Public Education; and

• International Migratory Bird Day.

The physical resources of the City are many and varied and provide an attractive character to the City and also the potential for varied recreation opportunities. Perhaps the greatest recreation potential for these environmental corridors will be as linear parks and trail corridors linking the City’s recreation, employment, commercial and school sites.

2.5 EXISTING LAND USE

According to the United States Census Bureau, the City has a total land area of 7.31 square miles, with 1.27 square miles of water. In 2020, the population density was 2,284.7 inhabitants per square mile.

Residential development is most dense on the east side of Beaver Dam Lake, south of the rail road tracks and west of HWY 151.

Commercial land uses are scattered throughout the area. The downtown business and city services are in a compact area along N Spring Street/HWY G.

There are two larger industrial areas within the City, one north of the rail road tracks and the majority, west of HWY 151 with some additional areas just east of HWY 151. The second, is located just outside the City limits along HWY W south east of Beaver Dam. There are other industrial areas near downtown and at the southern end off of N. Spring Street.

The cumulative effect of the existing land use patterns and circulation system divides the community into geographic neighborhoods and limits access to recreation facilities. The primary barriers in Beaver Dam include Beaver Dam Lake, Beaver Dam River and associated tributaries, the state and county highways mentioned, and the rail corridor running northwest to southeast. Refer to the City’s Existing Land Use Map on the next page.

2.6 FUTURE LAND USE

The future growth of the City is guided by the City’s 2009 Comprehensive Land Use Plan. The Future Land Use Map (Figure 2.3 on page 8) sets forth the desired development pattern for the City over the comprehensive planning period. The planned land use map is designed to accommodate projected population, household, and employment growth; the infrastructure and institutions required to serve residential, commercial, and industrial uses in the City; and the City’s agricultural and natural resource base.

The planned land use map identifies most of the area surrounding the existing City limits to the west and north for future residential. Future Residential is also planned along the north eastern edge of Beaver Dam Lake to Co. HWY W and east of HWY 151 North of HWY 33 and South of HWY B. Commercial and mixed use expansion is planned along the major transportation corridors: State Highway 151 and through downtown along N. Spring Road.

Recreation lands and the future parks and recreation needs of planned residential areas should be considered as these areas develop, including linkages to existing City neighborhoods, parks, and businesses via bicycle and recreational trails.