Spring Creek Volunteers

03/06/2026

Some intriguing findings from this morning's sampling are worth sharing. A volunteer collected samples from Spring Creek and the storm drains in the vicinity. The difference in water quality was pronounced – Spring Creek's water was exceptionally clear, whereas the storm drain outlet samples were brown and murky as they flowed into the creek. This demonstrates the substantial impact of local actions on water quality in our community.

03/04/2026

How much salt is too much—before it starts causing problems?

Spring Creek has a remarkable ability to handle some salt because it’s constantly flushing what washes off our streets into Okee Bay and, ultimately, Lake Wisconsin. But after the weather forecast predicting ice this morning, the amount of salt on our streets, parking lots, and sidewalks is more than our waterways can handle—especially with rain in the forecast that will wash it straight into the creek.

Take a look at these photos for a clear example of what we mean by “too much” salt.

Even small amounts add up: just one teaspoon of salt can permanently contaminate five gallons of freshwater. And last we checked, we don’t have saltwater trout—or other saltwater fish—living here. Our local streams and lakes support freshwater species, and we want to keep it that way.

You can help: if you see extra salt on your sidewalk or driveway, sweep it up and dispose of it in the trash (instead of letting it wash into the storm drain which drains to the creek). Every little bit helps keep Spring Creek healthy.

01/30/2026

Interested in helping to protect Spring Creek? Always looking for volunteers!

🧂 Let’s Talk About Salt — and Our Water 💧

You may not even know it, but it's Salt Week! Winter salt keeps us safe — but too much of it is quietly changing the water we all rely on.

Spring Creek and Okee Bay are freshwater systems. When road salt washes into our streets and driveways, it doesn’t just disappear — it raises the salinity of our freshwater, eventually impacting our groundwater… the same water many of us drink right here in Lodi.

🐟 Why this matters:
The trout in Spring Creek and the fish in Okee Bay are freshwater species — not saltwater fish. Increased salinity can harm fish, insects, plants, and the entire ecosystem. Once salt enters freshwater, it’s extremely difficult to remove.

💡 Did you know?
Just one teaspoon of salt can permanently contaminate 5 gallons of water. Let that sink in.

🌱 What can we do?
We don’t have to stop using salt — we just need to use it wisely.
✔ Use less
✔ Apply it more carefully
✔ Wait for the right conditions
✔ Learn smart salting practices

👉 Learn how to be Salt Wise and protect our local waters:
https://www.wisaltwise.com/Take-Action/Smart-Salting

Small changes make a big difference — especially when it comes to protecting the water, wildlife, and community we love. 💙If you'd like more information or to volunteer locally to help with things like this, email [email protected] for more information.

11/30/2025

Hey everyone! Exciting news—our first snow melt event was sampled today!

We’re lucky to have a fantastic team of four volunteers who are helping out by collecting water samples at five different spots along the stream. They do this both during our scheduled monthly visits and whenever snow melts or rainstorms happen, which can sometimes cause higher salt (chloride) levels in Spring Creek.

So, why does salt matter? Well, it can really hurt the fish and other aquatic life, and once salt gets into our freshwater sources, it’s almost impossible to remove. Thanks for caring about keeping our waterways healthy!

01/06/2025

09/09/2024

Send a message to learn more

08/19/2024

National Night Out was a fantastic success! Our talented friends from WI-DNR and Trout Unlimited put on an awesome fish shocking demonstration, helping everyone learn more about the incredible resource we have in Lodi: Spring Creek! The kids had a blast coming to the stream to check out the fish of Spring Creek. Thanks to our friends with the Okee Bay Mill Pond Lake Association for helping out, and getting some great photos!

08/06/2024

Join us for National Night Out on Tuesday, August 6th at Goeres Park!

There will be demonstrations by the WI Dept. of Natural Resources and Trout Unlimited at 5:15 PM and 6:15 PM, with support from the Okee Bay Lake Association and Spring Creek Volunteers. Fishery experts will showcase their electrofishing techniques to monitor fish populations in our streams, highlighting the significance of stream habitat in maintaining healthy fisheries in Spring Creek.