Plans for a Groundwater Study of the BEC Watershed
In May 2026 a group of hydrologists and other officials met, including representatives from the Capital Area Regional Planning Commission (CARPC), and the United States Geological Survey (USGS), which would carry out the study, to discuss initiating a new groundwater study of the Black Earth Creek (BEC) Watershed, which extends from the stream’s headwaters in the Town of Middleton to its confluence with Blue Mounds Creek near the Wisconsin River. The ultimate goal of this study is to analyze groundwater quality and quantity in relation to impacts from land use changes and subsequent spring flow into streams throughout the entire BEC watershed.
A proposal for a groundwater study was developed initially in response to requests made by stakeholders (e.g., BECWA and Trout Unlimited) at public hearings held by the Village of Cross Plains in 2025 to assess the cumulative impacts of Phase 2 of the Marchstone development, which would include a golf course, and to provide information about its potential effects on the nearby Festge Springs complex. This collection of cold water springs lies just east of the village alongside the creek on the valley floor, and downslope from the Marchstone development (See Aerial photo overlain development below). Groups advocating for this study are concerned that future land use changes could diminish water flow from Festge Springs, especially if new developments necessitate additional high capacity municipal wells. The cold water emanating from these springs is essential for the creek’s ecosystem, and contributes significantly to making BEC a top-tier trout fishery.
While considerable discussion was devoted to updating a groundwater study completed by USGS in 2016, this group decided a more comprehensive study is needed to address questions concerning current, planned or future groundwater impacts from development and land use changes in the watershed. According to a draft project concept plan released in late August, the new study will collect groundwater samples from spring complexes and shallow groundwater from aquifers with both loosely packed soils and bedrock within the BEC watershed. Age dating techniques and testing for modern water tracers determine the relative age and potential sources of groundwater feeding various springs. The concept plan adds, “This information would be highly relevant to understanding the sensitivity of Festge Springs and other spring complexes throughout the watershed to recent and future changes in land use.” The estimated cost for the study is $271,100, and while USGS has indicated it could come up $53,420, other funding sources would have to be found.
The concept plan estimates this new study would take about three years to complete. Village of Cross Plains president Jay Lengfeld anticipates filing a request to CARPC in November or December to consider expansion of the village’s Urban Service Area (USA) to accommodate Phase 2 of the Marchstone Development. (Phase 1, which is already underway, lies within the current USA.) Once an amended USA request is submitted, CARPC has 90 days to make a decision about the expansion. Consequently, CARPC will not have updated groundwater data at its disposal when it considers the expansion. (See here for more marchstone-relevant information).
