By Topf Wells
Wheeler Wilcox Creek (WWC) is a tributary to the Upper Yahara River. It enters the river in Windsor downstream of the current restoration work in DeForest. A vigilant SWTU member alerted the Board to some concerns about WWC in connection with the proposed data center on 1600 acres west of DeForest.
WWC is not a trout stream but it’s spring fed and provides cold water to the Upper Yahara. Folks were concerned that the data center would discharge stormwater to the creek, which would probably raise its temperature, especially during warm weather.
As far as SWTU knows, the potential of the Upper Yahara below the now designated trout water is yet to be studied. However, we believe it might well function or be able to function as a worthwhile cold or cool water stream. Accordingly, WWC should be protected as a source of cold water to the river. Even though the data center is now on hold, we documented that concern in a letter to the regulatory agencies that should protect the creek. See below to read the letter.
Who, you might wonder, is WWC named after? Ella Wheeler Wilcox, an American poet who lived in that area in the latter half of the 19th Century. If you don’t know Ms. Wilcox, you probably know her most famous line of poetry: “Laugh and the world laughs with you; Weep and you weep alone.” Let’s not have anyone with cause to weep over her namesake creek.
The Southern Wisconsin Chapter of Trout Unlimited (SWTU) is concerned about a water management issue and effects on the Yahara River with regard to the possible development of the QTS Data Center in DeForest.
We understand that some of the stormwater on this site will be collected and discharged to Wheeler Wilcox Creek, which is a tributary to the Yahara River in Windsor, downstream of DeForest. According to the DNR, Wheeler Wilcox Creek is spring fed and provides cold water (in the 60F degree range) to the Yahara River. While Wheeler Wilcox Creek is not classified as a trout stream, its cold water is important to the current health and potential of the Yahara River.
The DNR and the Village of DeForest have discovered that the Upper Yahara River is an extremely healthy and valuable resource. DNR surveys have found a significant, self-sustaining population of wild brown trout and the Village is about to start a $1 million stream bank stabilization and habitat improvement project on the river. SWTU supported the Village’s project with the largest contribution to a stream restoration project in our 50+ year history. Much remains to be discovered and improved on the Yahara River. Over time the DNR will continue and expand its surveys of the river both up and downstream of the DeForest boundaries. Our hope and expectation are that DeForest will continue its exemplary stewardship of the river. SWTU will help. Besides the donated funds, we held a massive work day last fall and are scheduling another for this spring. We are most interested in learning more about the Yahara in Windsor, both its current status and potential to support a cold water or cool water fishery. We believe that the cold water supplied by Wheeler Wilcox Creek is important to both the river’s current and future health.
Specifically, SWTU requests that any management of stormwater at the QTS Data Center maintain the water quality and quantity and especially the water temperature of Wheeler Wilcox Creek. Stormwater should be stored or infiltrated on site rather than discharged to the creek. We think it unlikely during warmer periods of the year that stormwater could be discharged to the creek without raising the temperature. Those times are precisely when the creek’s cold water will be most beneficial to the river.
Thank you for your attention to this request.
Topf Wells, President
SWTU
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Last Updated: February 3, 2026 by Drew Kasel
Wheeler Wilcox Creek? What’s That?
By Topf Wells
Wheeler Wilcox Creek (WWC) is a tributary to the Upper Yahara River. It enters the river in Windsor downstream of the current restoration work in DeForest. A vigilant SWTU member alerted the Board to some concerns about WWC in connection with the proposed data center on 1600 acres west of DeForest.
WWC is not a trout stream but it’s spring fed and provides cold water to the Upper Yahara. Folks were concerned that the data center would discharge stormwater to the creek, which would probably raise its temperature, especially during warm weather.
As far as SWTU knows, the potential of the Upper Yahara below the now designated trout water is yet to be studied. However, we believe it might well function or be able to function as a worthwhile cold or cool water stream. Accordingly, WWC should be protected as a source of cold water to the river. Even though the data center is now on hold, we documented that concern in a letter to the regulatory agencies that should protect the creek. See below to read the letter.
Who, you might wonder, is WWC named after? Ella Wheeler Wilcox, an American poet who lived in that area in the latter half of the 19th Century. If you don’t know Ms. Wilcox, you probably know her most famous line of poetry: “Laugh and the world laughs with you; Weep and you weep alone.” Let’s not have anyone with cause to weep over her namesake creek.
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