Water Detail - Elk Creek, Middle Kickapoo River Watershed (LW05)

Elk Creek, Middle Kickapoo River Watershed (LW05)

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Elk Creek (1191700)

Size

4.29 Miles

Segment

1.91 - 6.20

Natural Community

Natural communities (stream and lake natural communities) represent model results that use predicted flow and temperature based on landscape features and related assumptions. Ranges of flow and temperature associated with specific aquatic life communities (fish, macroinvertebrates) help biologists identify appropriate resource management goals. Wisconsin Natural Communities.

Macroinvertebrate, Cool-Cold Headwater, Coldwater

Year Last Monitored

This is the most recent date of monitoring data stored in SWIMS. Additional surveys for fish and habitat may be available subsequent to this date.

2016

General Condition

Good

County

Richland, Vernon

Trout Water

Trout Waters are represented by Class I, Class II or Class III waters. These classes have specific ecological characteristics and management actions associated with them. For more information regarding Trout Classifications, see the Fisheries Trout Class Webpages.

Yes

Outstanding or Exceptional

Wisconsin has designated many of the state's highest quality waters as Outstanding Resource Waters (ORWs) or Exceptional Resource Waters (ERWs). Waters designated as ORW or ERW are surface waters which provide outstanding recreational opportunities, support valuable fisheries and wildlife habitat, have good water quality, and are not significantly impacted by human activities. ORW and ERW status identifies waters that the State of Wisconsin has determined warrant additional protection from the effects of pollution. These designations are intended to meet federal Clean Water Act obligations requiring Wisconsin to adopt an 'antidegradation' policy that is designed to prevent any lowering of water quality - especially in those waters having significant ecological or cultural value.

Yes

Impaired Water

A water is polluted or 'impaired' if it does not support full use by humans, wildlife, fish and other aquatic life and it is shown that one or more of the pollutant criteria are not met.

Fish and Aquatic Life

Current Use

The use the water currently supports. This is not a designation or classification; it is based on the current condition of the water. Information in this column is not designed for, and should not be used for, regulatory purposes.

Supported Aquatic Life

Waters that support fish and aquatic life communities (healthy biological communities).

Attainable Use

The use that the investigator believes the water could achieve through managing "controllable" sources. Beaver dams, hydroelectric dams, low gradient streams, and naturally occurring low flows are generally not considered controllable. The attainable use may be the same as the current use or it may be higher.

Cold (Class I Trout)

Streams supporting a cold water sport fishery, or serving as a spawning area for salmonids and other cold water fish species through natural reproduction. Representative aquatic life communities, associated with these waters, generally require cold temperatures and concentrations of dissolved oxygen that remain above 6 mg/L. Since these waters are capable of supporting natural reproduction, a minimum dissolved oxygen concentration of 7 mg/L is required during times of active spawning and support of early life stages of newly-hatched fish.

Designated Use

This is the water classification legally recognized by NR102 and NR104, Wis. Adm. Code. The classification determines water quality criteria and effluent limits. Waters obtain designated uses through classification procedures.

Cold

Streams capable of supporting a cold water sport fishery, or serving as a spawning area for salmonids and other cold water fish species. Representative aquatic life communities, associated with these waters, generally require cold temperatures and concentrations of dissolved oxygen that remain above 6 mg/L. Since these waters are capable of supporting natural reproduction, a minimum dissolved oxygen concentration of 7 mg/L is required during times of active spawning and support of early life stages of newly-hatched fish.

Overview

Elk Creek, located in central Vernon County and northwest Richland County, flows in a
northwesterly direction for 4.4 miles before reaching the Kickapoo River between Viola and
Readstown. This stream has a gradient of 46 feet per mile and drains forested hillsides and
agricultural valleys. Elk Creek is a Class I trout stream for its entire length in both Richland
(2.8 miles) and Vernon (1.6 miles) Counties. The Richland County portion of Elk Creek is
also designated as an Outstanding Resource Water (ORW).
The most recent biological surveys, conducted in 1987 and 1990, documented brown trout,
rainbow trout, brook trout and numerous forage fish species. The stream bottom was
dominated by gravel and sand. In-stream cover consisted of boulders, overhanging grasses
and aquatic vegetation. Streambank grazing of livestock was contributing sediment to the
stream. Elk Creek should be resurveyed after conclusion of the Middle Kickapoo River
Priority Watershed Project in 2004. This stream would benefit from the purchase of
streambank easements from willing sellers and the restoration of in-stream habitat.
Maintenance of WDNR owned lands adjacent to Elk Creek must include tree and brush
removal from streambanks to reduce beaver colonization. WDNR records indicate that Elk
Creek was stocked regularly with brown trout until 1988. Access to Elk Creek is from three
road crossings and WDNR owned land.

From: Ripp, Coreen, Koperski, Cindy and Folstad, Jason. 2002. The State of the Lower Wisconsin River Basin.
PUBL WT-559-2002. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.

Date 2002

Author Cynthia Koperski

Historical Description

Elk Creek. T12~1. R3W. Section 35. Surface Acres = 3.0. Miles =.6. Gradient = 20.0 feet per mile
A clear. hard water stream that heads in Richland County. flows in a general northwesterly direction. and is a tributary of the Kickapoo River. That portion of the stream in Vernon County is Class III brown trout water. The winter aerial groundwater survey for Vernon County found scattered open water areas in the lower two-thirds of the stream. Gravel is the dominant bottom type. with considerable sand and rubble as well as some silt, clay, and boulders. Access is possible from two road crossings. Beaver are present.

From: Klick, Thomas A. and Threinen, C.W. 1973. Lake and Stream Classification Project. Surface Water Resources of Vernon County, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.

Date 1973

Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Elk Creek, Middle Kickapoo River Watershed (LW05) Fish and Aquatic Life

Elk Creek, Middle Kickapoo River Watershed (LW05) Recreation

Elk Creek, Middle Kickapoo River Watershed (LW05) Fish Consumption

General Condition

Elk Creek (WBIC 1191700) was assessed during the 2018 listing cycle; new temperature sample data were clearly below the 2018 WisCALM listing thresholds for the Fish and Aquatic Life use. This water was meeting this designated use and was not considered impaired.

Date 2017

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

2020 Comprehensive WQ Assessments

2018 List of Healthy (Category 2) Waters

Comprehensive 2018 River/Stream Water Quality Assessments

Elk Creek, Elk Creek-WAGS1-Station #4-Wagner property 28m US from Cty U, Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

Elk Creek, Elk Creek at East River Rd., Wadeable Macroinvertebrate Field Form

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

Project Name (Click for Details)	Year Started
Fish Propagation Actions	2001

Monitoring Projects

WBIC	Official Waterbody Name	Station ID	Station Name	Earliest Fieldwork Date	Latest Fieldwork Date	View Station	View Data
1191700	Elk Creek	10010208	Elk Creek - Elk Creek St. #3 15m Downstream Of Spring On Fee Land	1/1/2015	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1191700	Elk Creek	10029677	Elk Creek-WAGS1-Station #4-Wagner property 28m US from Cty U	4/26/2011	10/27/2016	Map	Data
1191700	Elk Creek	10030547	Elk Creek abv confluence off private drive	1/1/2015	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1191700	Elk Creek	533041	Elk Creek - Public Fishing Area On Elk Creek Rd	4/19/1990	11/11/2004	Map	Data
1191700	Elk Creek	10010207	Elk Creek - Elk Creek St. #2 Downstream Pasture Fenceline On Eaglenest Farm			Map	Data
1191700	Elk Creek	10030548	Elk Creek 200ft above confluence	1/1/2015	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1192200	Unnamed	10030543	Unnamed stream (1192200) S of Elk Creek Rd T11N R2W Str. 8-5			Map	Data
5031509	Unnamed	10030549	Unnamed stream (5031509) 200ft abv confluence	1/1/2015	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1191700	Elk Creek	10030818	Elk Creek ~500M US Confluence with Unnamed Trib (WBIC 1192200)	1/1/2015	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1191700	Elk Creek	10029671	Elk Creek-Eagle's Nest-Station #3-134m DS from bridge crossing on Morris property	1/1/2015	1/1/2015	Map	Data
3000023	Unnamed	10010364	Creek 6-12 (Patrick Hatchery Creek) Start Is Fence Up From Culvert			Map	Data
1191700	Elk Creek	10029679	Elk Creek-DNR1-Station #5 142m DS of trib confluence on DNR land on Elk Cr. Rd.	8/28/2012	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1191700	Elk Creek	10030542	Elk Creek abv confluence on DNR Land	4/26/2011	1/1/2015	Map	Data
1192200	Unnamed	10037737	Un. Trib. Elk Cr. T11N. R2W Str. 8-5 N. of Elk Cr. Rd.	4/26/2011	4/26/2011	Map	Data

Watershed Characteristics

Elk Creek is located in the Middle Kickapoo River watershed which is 246.53 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (55.20%), grassland (24.30%) and a mix of agricultural (15.30%) and other uses (5.20%). This watershed has 585.18 stream miles, 145.14 lake acres and 3,360.69 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked Not Available for runoff impacts on streams, Not Available 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.

Natural Community

Elk Creek is considered a Macroinvertebrate, Cool-Cold Headwater, Coldwater under the state's Natural Community Determinations.

Natural communities (stream and lake natural communities) represent model results and DNR staff valiation processes that confirm or update predicted conditions based on flow and temperature modeling from historic and current landscape features and related variables. Predicated flow and temperatures for waters are associated predicated fish assemblages (communities). Biologists evaluate the model results against current survey data to determine if the modeled results are corect and whether biological indicators show water quaity degradation. This analysis is a core component of the state's resource management framework. Wisconsin's Riverine Natural Communities.

Cool (Cold-Transition) Headwaters are small, usually perennial streams with cold to cool summer temperatures. Coldwater fishes are common to uncommon (<10 per 100 m), transitional fishes are abundant to common, and warm water fishes are uncommon to absent. Headwater species are abundant to common, mainstem species are common to absent, and river species are absent.

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