Fox River Flow Survey

This survey is designed to collect data on whitewater recreation on the Fox River at Kaukauna during the 2009 boating season.

We will be using information from this survey to help us identify a flow preference curve for whitewater boating, that will identify minimum, acceptable, and optimum flows. If you have an interest in learning more about the methods we will be using see the National Park Service page for Flows and Recreation: A Guide to Studies for River Professionals.

Currently Kaukauna Utilities is applying for a new license to increase capacity at the Badger Rapide Croche Hydroelectric Project. As proposed the project would significantly reduce flows in the natural river channel, impacting whitewater boating opportunities on the Fox River. In order to develop a more complete record on which to base decisions, American Whitewater is collecting data on use of this reach. We are working with the National Park Service Hydropower Assistance Program in conducting this survey, preparing a report, and submitting the results to FERC. The data will become part of the public record and following analysis will be submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

The purpose of our survey is to collect information from boaters following runs that take place this boating season. We will follow up with you later this season with some more detailed questions asking you to compare different flows but for now we are just asking you to report your runs. Please complete this survey after each of your runs on the Fox River this year.

Please let others know about this survey. If you have friends who run the Fox River this year, please refer them to this webpage. The more responses we get the more useful our results will be. Results of this survey will be published in a report for the benefit of paddlers with an interest in recreational opportunities on this river.