Wetlands

WETLANDS

In 2016, the City of Madison retained Baxter and Woodman Consulting Engineers to conduct a Wetland Delineation of Vilas Park. Their findings were in accordance with the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual and Regional Supplement to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual: Northcentral and Northeast Region (Version 2.0).78 There were four areas within the park found to meet the designation as wetlands (Figure 5.146).79

These identified wetlands and description are:

Lake Wingra Shoreline Wetland (Wetland 1) A fringe wetland (Wetland 1) occurs along the shoreline of Lake Wingra. Within the Survey Area, most of the shoreline is fortified with large rock riprap. Wetland plants are able to grow within the spaces between the rocks. Also, wetland plants occur on shallow terraces next to the lake.

Vilas Park Lagoon Shoreline Wetland (Wetland 2) A fringe wetland (Wetland 2) occurs along the shoreline of the Vilas Park Lagoon. The shoreline includes naturalized areas restored with native plants, turf grass areas, and areas stabilized with rock. Wetland plants are able to grow within the spaces between the rocks. The lagoon is relatively shallow and covered with a variety of emergent and submergent plants (e.g., water lilies, coontail, Eurasian water milfoil).

Wetland 3

Wetland 3 is a narrow wetland located next to the tennis courts. It receives stormwater runoff from the tennis courts and surrounding area…Wetland 3 can be considered a less susceptible wetland per NR 151.

Wetland 4

Wetland 4 is a seasonally-wet basin located near the north parking lot for the zoo. It is mowed when it is dry… Wetland 4 can be considered a less susceptible wetland per NR 151.80

NR 151 is environmental protection of wetlands administered by the WI DNR to establish performance standards for

limiting nonpoint runoff pollutants to achieve a water quality standard.81

78 City of Madison Parks Division Wetland Delineation – Vilas Park, Baxter and Woodman Consulting Engineers, 2016 79 City of Madison Parks Division Wetland Delineation – Vilas Park, Wetland Boundary Map, Baxter and Woodman Consulting

Engineers, 2016 80 City of Madison Parks Division Wetland Delineation – Vilas Park, Baxter and Woodman Consulting Engineers, 2016 81 Chapter NR 151, Department of Natural Resources, www.docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/nr/100/151

Figure 5.146. Wetland Boundary Map (Wetland Delineation of Vilas Park - Baxter and Woodman Consulting Engineers, 2016 )

Figure 5.147. Fringe Wetlands at Lagoon