Watershed

A watershed is an area of land that drains to a lake, river, or stream.  All lands and waterways can be found within one watershed or another.  Smaller watersheds make up larger watersheds or basins.

USC Watershed

The Gordon Flowage is part of the Upper St. Croix/Eau Claire Rivers Priority  (USC) Watershed .  This watershed, which is in turn part of the Mississippi River basin, encompasses 180 square miles of land and water and includes the Gordon Flowage, the St. Croix River upstream from the flowage, Ox Creek, Upper St. Croix Lake, and much of the Eau Claire River.  In all there are 55 miles of streams, 31 named lakes, 66 unnamed lakes, and many pockets of wetlands. 

The USC Watershed was designated as a priority watershed project because of its special historical significance and because it is the headwaters of the St. Croix River, a National Wild and Scenic Waterway.  The Priority Watershed Project designation is PL-94-2.

Protection

The USC Watershed merits protection as it is both valuable and perishable.  Once damaged, repair is difficult and long-term.

Erosion or excessive surface run-off, septic systems, toxic chemicals, and improper shoreline protection are common sources of damage.  Fortunately, many problems are preventable.

USC Watershed Project and Gordon Flowage Association

The USC Priority Watershed Project is a cooperative effort involving the Douglas County Forestry Department, the Land Conservation Department of Douglas County, the University of Wisconsin Extension Service, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the National Park Service, and the Natural Resource Conservation Department.  It is funded by a grant from the Wisconsin Nonpoint Pollution Abatement Program, and is coordinated by a project manager in Solon Springs.

The Gordon/St. Croix Flowage Association has a membership of local residents and is funded by members.

Educational assistance is readily available, and financial assistance is available in certain circumstances.  Examples of preventative action are planting of vegetative buffers near shorelines, reduction of mowed areas near waterways, removal of invasive plants, and using native plants to improve water quality and wildlife habitat.