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Official Web site: Baraboo Man Believes Creek To Blame For Flooding
Clark Creek Filled With Trees, Debris
UPDATED: 9:43 am CDT August 16,
2008
BARABOO, Wis. -- One Sauk County resident thinks he's knows why the flooding gets so bad in his area.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportJudd Maxwell said it's all due to a tiny, winding creek bed that's been the source for countless floods over several years.WISC-TV followed Maxwell and others on a two mile trek that covered a 400-foot change in elevation."After you walk through this, you can see this is going happen forever and ever and ever," said Maxwell.The body of water in question is the Clark Creek, which sits just behind Maxwell's home near the Baraboo River."That was something that we used to trudge around and mess around as children when we worked the fields," said Maxwell.But the little creek is now a big source of problems, as this year's heavy rains washed out roads, and destroyed homes downstream, WISC-TV reported."What were trying to do is to just show to the people that have taken to look at this," said Maxwell, "What's above the stream from those residents that live down on the 113 corridor (Highway 113)."Among the state and local officials touring the creek are Maxwell's longtime friends, such as Rick DeMars."I was told about it 50 times from 50 different people," said DeMars, "But until you see it, you can't imagine what it's like in here. The speed of the water that must come down through here and the power. Pure raw power, no comma and destruction."Flood experts said the downed trees and woody debris traveled along the stream, plugging culverts and providing dangerous paths for the water."These floods are so severe that they've essentially enlarged what we would call the flood prone area here," said Ron Grasshoff, a Department of Natural Resources environmental specialist. "Enlarged probably three or four maybe five times in some areas."While Maxwell is hopeful for a solution, some aren't as optimistic."These are all friends of mine that live down this creek," said DeMars. "They're all friends of my families and it's just sad to see it. And to know that it keeps happening to them. I have no confidence anymore. None."The tour is leading up to a meeting to brainstorm a resolution to the problem. The meeting is set for Aug. 27 at the Sauk County Emergency Management meeting room.
VIDEO: Watch The ReportJudd Maxwell said it's all due to a tiny, winding creek bed that's been the source for countless floods over several years.WISC-TV followed Maxwell and others on a two mile trek that covered a 400-foot change in elevation."After you walk through this, you can see this is going happen forever and ever and ever," said Maxwell.The body of water in question is the Clark Creek, which sits just behind Maxwell's home near the Baraboo River."That was something that we used to trudge around and mess around as children when we worked the fields," said Maxwell.But the little creek is now a big source of problems, as this year's heavy rains washed out roads, and destroyed homes downstream, WISC-TV reported."What were trying to do is to just show to the people that have taken to look at this," said Maxwell, "What's above the stream from those residents that live down on the 113 corridor (Highway 113)."Among the state and local officials touring the creek are Maxwell's longtime friends, such as Rick DeMars."I was told about it 50 times from 50 different people," said DeMars, "But until you see it, you can't imagine what it's like in here. The speed of the water that must come down through here and the power. Pure raw power, no comma and destruction."Flood experts said the downed trees and woody debris traveled along the stream, plugging culverts and providing dangerous paths for the water."These floods are so severe that they've essentially enlarged what we would call the flood prone area here," said Ron Grasshoff, a Department of Natural Resources environmental specialist. "Enlarged probably three or four maybe five times in some areas."While Maxwell is hopeful for a solution, some aren't as optimistic."These are all friends of mine that live down this creek," said DeMars. "They're all friends of my families and it's just sad to see it. And to know that it keeps happening to them. I have no confidence anymore. None."The tour is leading up to a meeting to brainstorm a resolution to the problem. The meeting is set for Aug. 27 at the Sauk County Emergency Management meeting room.Copyright 2008 by Channel 3000. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
