A Tour of the Festge Spring Complex Sponsored by BECWA
Audrey Rice, BECWA Board of Directors
On April 25, 2026, approximately 40 people joined us on a sunny tour of the Festge Spring Complex, a grouping of nearly 30 spring discharge points adjacent to the Mammoth’s Back Preserve segment of the Ice Age Trail. The springs are located on property owned and managed by the Ice Age Trail Alliance. Attendees included community members, representatives from area nonprofits, and local units of government, all eager to learn more about this unique and significant source of groundwater discharge to Black Earth Creek. (Aerial view of springs).
The spring complex is a vital source of clear, cold water, contributing approximately 50% of the flow to the upper reaches of Black Earth Creek. The water originates from precipitation that infiltrates (passes through) the area’s slopes, including woodlands, wetlands, farmland, and surrounding uplands before emerging into the creek through the springs. Because the spring water flows year-round, remaining unfrozen in winter and cool during summer, it provides ideal spawning and nursery habitat for trout and helps sustain Black Earth Creek’s renowned wild trout fishery.
Protecting this valuable resource requires maintaining groundwater infiltration, reducing polluted stormwater through green infrastructure, and minimizing agricultural surface runoff. These efforts will help ensure that the wild trout and exceptional water quality of Black Earth Creek continue to thrive for generations to come.
