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Dane County Land & Water Resources Department

Current Projects

The Land & Water Resources Department works on a variety of projects to protect and improve natural resources and to increase access to and use of public lands. This webpage displays information about significant, in-progress projects and includes a locator map and links to project details below the map. Projects can be filtered by the categories below. Check back often to stay up-to-date on active projects.

  • Land & Water (water quality improvements, flood mitigation, stormwater controls, etc.)
  • Parks (new trails, dog parks, shelters, habitat restorations, etc.)

In addition, use the buttons below to learn more about ongoing restoration projects (on our Natural Areas webpage) and completed projects not listed on this page.

Project
Project Cluster
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Current Projects
1
Agricultural Wetland Mitigation Bank
Dane County partners with WDNR and USDA-NRCS to establish Wisconsin's first Agricultural Wetland Mitigation Bank.
Cherokee Marsh Wildlife Area
2
Aquatic Plant Management Plan Updates
Beginning in 2023, the department began the process to update the plans for both Lake Mendota and Lake Monona.
3
Black Earth Creek - Stream Restoration
Stabilize eroding streambanks and incorporate flood mitigation solutions and in-stream habitat where practical.
Walking Iron County Park
4
Community Manure Treatment - Feasibility Study
Community engagement and developing solutions around sustainable manure management.
5
Door Creek Action Plan Implementation
Dane County is working with local landowners and organizations on implementing conservation projects that reduce phosphorus and improve water quality.
6
Emergency Location Marker Installation
Installation of Emergency Location Markers along trails in selected parks for emergency response.
Capital City State Trail, Indian Lake County Park, Lower Yahara River Trail
7
Fish Camp County Park - Accessible Fishing & Boating Improvements
Installation of a new accessible kayak launch.
Fish Camp County Park
8
Fish Camp County Park - Wet Meadow Restoration
Remove invasive species including dead ash trees and restore wet meadow habitat.
Fish Camp County Park
9
Glacial Drumlin to Capital City Connector Trail
Development of segment of the Glacial Drumlin State Trail from I-90 bridge in Madison to the existing Glacial Drumlin Trail Trailhead in the Village of Cottage Grove. 
Blooming Grove Drumlins Natural Resource Area, Capital City State Trail
10
Great Sauk-Walking Iron Trail - Rails to Trails Conversion
Construction of a multi-use trail bridge over the Wisconsin River in northwest Dane County
Walking Iron County Park
11
Indian Lake County Park - Oak Savanna Restoration
Remove invasive species and restore oak savanna habitat.
Indian Lake County Park
12
Indian Lake County Park - Prairie Strips
Planting prairie strips on agricultural lands at Indian Lake County Park.
Indian Lake County Park
13
Indian Lake County Park & Halfway Prairie Wildlife Area Master Plan
Master planning process planning process including inventory and future land management and park development recommendations.
Halfway Prairie Wildlife Area, Indian Lake County Park
14
Indian Lake Fisheries Restoration
Restoration of Indian Lake by reducing carp biomass and enhancing habitat for game fish.
Indian Lake County Park
15
Legacy Sediment Removal
The innovative "Suck the Muck" project will remove phosphorus-laden sediment from streambeds within the Yahara River Watershed.
16
Lower Yahara River Trail - Trail Development Phase 2
Development of Phase 2 of the trail from Fish Camp County Park to Lake Kegonsa State Park and Williams Drive.
Door Creek Wildlife Area, Fish Camp County Park, Lower Yahara River Trail
17
McCarthy Youth & Conservation Park - Timber Shelter, Parking, Playground
Development of a new timber frame park shelter, paved parking lot, drinking fountain and accessible playground.
McCarthy Youth & Conservation County Park
18
Mendota County Park - Improvements
Replacement of existing shelter, reconstruction of parking lot with improved stormwater facilities, replacement of existing playground, and installation of new paved walking trail.
Mendota County Park
19
MMSD Relief Force Main to Transport Wastewater
The Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD) is planning Phase 2 of their relief force main that will transport wastewater from Verona.
Ice Age Trail Junction Area
20
Pheasant Branch Conservancy - Restoration
Improve water quality, wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation.
Pheasant Branch Conservancy
21
Prairie Moraine County Park - Restoration
Remove invasive species and restore the park to historical natural resource communities.
Prairie Moraine County Park
22
Silverwood County Park - Oak Savanna and Woodland Restoration
Remove invasive and other species to help restore oak savanna and woodland habitat. 
Silverwood County Park
23
Soil Carbon Monitoring
Collecting and monitoring the amount of carbon stored in the soil as a result of Dane County's restoration and conservation projects.
24
Waucheeta Connector Trail
Dane County Parks in coordination with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Town of Dunn are planning for a shared-use trail through Capital Springs Centennial State Park (WI DNR).
Capital Springs Recreation Area
25
Yahara River Sediment Removal
Multiphase project to reduce flooding and improve water flow in the Yahara Lakes.