Bad River’s Effects on Sloughs

After the extreme floods in 2016 and 2018 we focused studies on effects from the extreme floods on erosion and sedimentation. Of special interest was flooding and sedimentation characteristics of the Kakagon and Bad River Sloughs and the frequency of Bad River flooding into the Kakagon River, which brings additional nutrients and sediment-rich river water to Chequamegon Bay. Based on a study conducted in 2022-24, sediment-laden high flows from the Bad River have likely made it into the Kakagon (red arrows) over 60 times in the last 75 years, including 20 floods during the most recent 10-year period. The extent of river flooding is affected by lake levels and ice jams.