Sheboygan
Yes
Yes
Yes
Fish and Aquatic Life
Historical Description
North Branch, Milwaukee River T12N, R21E, Section 30, Surface Acres = 5.1, Length = 0.9 miles, Gradient = 13.2 feet per mile.
A main tributary of the Milwaukee River which drains from Sheboygan County
through the northeast corner of Washington County to the main stem just west of
Waubeka. Smallmouth bass and forage fish inhabit the stream as it enters the county.
Access is possible from a town road on the county line. Boulders, gravel, and mud
flats characterize the stream bed.
From: Poff, Ronald J., Gernay, Ronald, and Threinen, C.W., 1964. Surface Water Resources of Ozaukee County:
Lake and Stream Classification Project. Wisconsin Conservation Department, Madison, WI.
Date 1964
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
Impaired Waters
The North Branch Milwaukee River, from its mouth to Hwy 28 (miles 0 to 23.5), was evaluated every two-year cycle from 2012 to 2022; phosphorus and degraded biology was found in the 2012 cycle and confirmed in subsequent assessments.
Date 2022
Author Ashley Beranek
Impaired Waters
The North Branch Milwaukee River, from Hwy 28 in Cascade to its headwaters, was evaluated in 2014, and every two year cycle from 2018 to 2022; phosphorus, chloride, bugs, and fish data indicated a healthy system. Elevated temperature issues were noted and listed in 2018; data confirmed impairment during the 2022 cycle.
Date 2022
Author Ashley Beranek
Condition
Wisconsin has over 84,000 miles of streams, 15,000 lakes and milllions of acres of wetlands. Assessing the condition of this vast amount of water is challenging. The state's water monitoring program uses a media-based, cross-program approach to analyze water condition. An updated monitoring strategy (2015-2020) is now available. Compliance with Clean Water Act fishable, swimmable standards are located in the Executive Summary of Water Condition in 2018. See also the 'monitoring and projects' tab.
Reports
Recommendations
Citizen-Based Stream Monitoring
Collect chemical, physical, and/or biological water quality data to assess the current overall stream health. The data can inform management decisions and may be used to identify impaired waters for biennial lists.
Citizen-Based Stream Monitoring
Collect chemical, physical, and/or biological water quality data to assess the current overall stream health. The data can inform management decisions and may be used to identify impaired waters for biennial lists.
Citizen-Based Stream Monitoring
Collect chemical, physical, and/or biological water quality data to assess the current overall stream health. The data can inform management decisions and may be used to identify impaired waters for biennial lists.
Citizen-Based Stream Monitoring
Collect chemical, physical, and/or biological water quality data to assess the current overall stream health. The data can inform management decisions and may be used to identify impaired waters for biennial lists.
Rivers Planning Grant
The Ozaukee Washington Land Trust proposes to identify environmentally significant lands and landowners along the main stem and north branch of the Milwaukee River in Washington County and to educate landowners about preservation options.
Develop/Distribute Brochures/Literature
The Ozaukee Washington Land Trust proposes to identify environmentally significant lands and landowners along the main stem and north branch of the Milwaukee River in Washington County and to educate landowners about preservation options.
Educate and engage residents
The Ozaukee Washington Land Trust proposes to identify environmentally significant lands and landowners along the main stem and north branch of the Milwaukee River in Washington County and to educate landowners about preservation options.
Information and Education
The Ozaukee Washington Land Trust proposes to identify environmentally significant lands and landowners along the main stem and north branch of the Milwaukee River in Washington County and to educate landowners about preservation options.
Nine Key Element Plan
North Branch Milwaukee River PWS Plan - Nine Key Element Plan - The North Branch Milwaukee River Priority Watershed Project plan assesses the nonpoint sources of pollution in the North Branch Watershed and guides the implementation of nonpoint source control measures. These control measures are needed to meet specific water resource objectives for the Milwaukee River Basin. The purpose of this project is to reduce the amount of pollutants originating from nonpoint sources that reach surface water and groundwater within the North Branch Milwaukee River Priority Watershed Project area.
Management Goals
Wisconsin's Water Quality Standards provide qualitative and quantitative goals for waters that are protective of Fishable, Swimmable conditions [Learn more]. Waters that do not meet water quality standards are considered impaired and restoration actions are planned and carried out until the water is once again fishable and swimmable
Management goals can include creation or implementation of a Total Maximum Daily Load analysis, a Nine Key Element Plan, or other restoration work, education and outreach and more. If specific recommendations exist for this water, they will be displayed below online.
Monitoring
Monitoring the condition of a river, stream, or lake includes gathering physical, chemical, biological, and habitat data. Comprehensive studies often gather all these parameters in great detail, while lighter assessment events will involve sampling physical, chemical and biological data such as macroinvertebrates. Aquatic macroinvertebrates and fish communities integrate watershed or catchment condition, providing great insight into overall ecosystem health. Chemical and habitat parameters tell researchers more about human induced problems including contaminated runoff, point source dischargers, or habitat issues that foster or limit the potential of aquatic communities to thrive in a given area. Wisconsin's Water Monitoring Strategy was recenty updated.
Grants and Management Projects
Monitoring Projects
| WBIC | Official Waterbody Name | Station ID | Station Name | Earliest Fieldwork Date | Latest Fieldwork Date | View Station | View Data |
|---|
| 33400 | Cascade Millpond | 10007709 | Cascade Millpond - Cascade Millpond | 6/12/2003 | 7/21/2008 | Map | Data |
| 27100 | North Branch Milwaukee River | 603298 | Nichols Creek at Cedar Ln Rd (Bi) | | | Map | Data |
| 27100 | North Branch Milwaukee River | 10030491 | Nichols Creek - DS of CTH N | 4/16/1993 | 10/18/2023 | Map | Data |
| 33400 | Cascade Millpond | 10007708 | Cascade Millpond - Cascade Millpond | | | Map | Data |
| 27100 | North Branch Milwaukee River | 603334 | North Branch Milwaukee (Nichols Creek - Hwy N) | 4/27/1995 | 10/19/2023 | Map | Data |
| 27100 | North Branch Milwaukee River | 10008856 | Nichols Creek4 | 5/15/1979 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
| 27100 | North Branch Milwaukee River | 10008858 | Nichols Creek 3 (atCth V) | | | Map | Data |
| 27100 | North Branch Milwaukee River | 10038477 | Nichols Creek (N. Branch Milwaukee River) 115M DS CTH V | 1/1/2015 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
| 27100 | North Branch Milwaukee River | 10008861 | North Branch Milwaukee River at Hwy. 28 Cascade | 4/9/1985 | 10/13/2020 | Map | Data |
| 27100 | North Branch Milwaukee River | 10052661 | 2019 Habitat Site | | | Map | Data |
| 27100 | North Branch Milwaukee River | 10037388 | North Branch Milwaukee River at Francis Ave Cascade | 4/22/2011 | 10/17/2021 | Map | Data |
|
Watershed Characteristics
North Branch Milwaukee River is located in the North Branch Milwaukee River watershed which is 149.67 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (45.40%), grassland (20.30%) and a mix of wetland (15.50%) and other uses (18.80%). This watershed has 159.81 stream miles, 886.38 lake acres and 13,793.69 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked High for runoff impacts on streams, High for runoff impacts on lakes and High for runoff impacts on groundwater and therefore has an overall rank of High. This value can be used in ranking the watershed or individual waterbodies for grant funding under state and county programs.However, all waters are affected by diffuse pollutant sources regardless of initial water quality. Applications for specific runoff projects under state or county grant programs may be pursued. For more information, go to surface water program grants.