Saunders Creek, Green River and Crooked Creek Watershed (LW07)
Saunders Creek, Green River and Crooked Creek Watershed (LW07)
Saunders Creek (1205800)
3.28 Miles
5.59 - 8.87
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.
Cool-Cold Mainstem, 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.
Good
 
Grant
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.
No
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.
No

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 II Trout)
Streams 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 through natural reproduction and selective propagation. 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

Sanders Creek is a tributary to the Wisconsin River at Boscobel. The stream is a Class II trout
stream for four miles of its length, above the former Boscobel Wastewater Treatment Plant.
The lower 1.5 miles are currently classified as a limited forage fishery (LFF). The discharge
to this stream has been removed, however, and the stream should be re-surveyed to determine
its current use. The stream has a history of supporting brown trout. A cursory habitat
evaluation of the creek was conducted in the summer of 2001. The survey determined that the
creekýs habitat was in fair condition, but in some places was closer to poor. The watershed
and the creek exhibited areas of erosion. This erosion has led to sedimentation in the stream.
The creek is also the focus of citizen monitoring. Volunteers began to monitor the stream in
July 2000 for turbidity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and the overall health of the habitat
and the biotic community in the creek. Today, the lower reach could probably support a
warm water sport fishery. This segment, however, has very little in-stream habitat and floods
often. Sanders Creek has been ranked as a high priority for nonpoint source pollution
reduction. Intensive agricultural activity occurs in the subwatershed and runoff from
barnyards and feedlots, cattle access to the stream and streambank erosion are problems.

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

Overview

Sanders Creek is a tributary to the Wisconsin River at Boscobel. The stream is a Class II trout stream for four miles of its length, above the former Boscobel Wastewater Treatment Plant. The lower 1.5 miles are currently classified as a limited forage fishery (LFF). The discharge to this stream has been removed, however, and the stream should be re-surveyed to determine its current use. The stream has a history of supporting brown trout. A cursory habitat evaluation of the creek was conducted in the summer of 2001. The survey determined that the creek’s habitat was in fair condition, but in some places was closer to poor. The watershed and the creek exhibited areas of erosion. This erosion has led to sedimentation in the stream. The creek is also the focus of citizen monitoring. Volunteers began to monitor the stream in July 2000 for turbidity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and the overall health of the habitat and the biotic community in the creek.

Today, the lower reach could probably support a warm water sport fishery, particularly since it no longer receives treated discharge. This segment, however, has very little in-stream habitat and floods often. Sanders Creek has been ranked as a high priority for nonpoint source pollution reduction. Intensive agricultural activity occurs in the subwatershed and runoff from barnyards and feedlots, cattle access to the stream and streambank erosion are problems.

Date  2001

Author   Aquatic Biologist

Historical Description

Saunders Creek is a tributary to the Wisconsin River at Boscobel. The stream is a Class
II trout stream for four miles of its length (WDNR 1980). The lower 1 -5 mil
classified as a limited forage fishery (LFF), riance stream classification (1991) .
This lower reach could probably support a warm water sport fishery (Schlesser 1991),
particularly since the Boscobel wastewater treatment plant no longer discharges
to it. The stream has experienced a recent fishkill, possibly caused by nonpoint
source(s) of pollution (Kerr 1991) . Intensive agricultural activity occurs in the
subwatershed (Schlesser 199122). Runoff from barnyards and feedlots, and cattle access
to the stream are problems (Kerr 1991).

Date  1994

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Historical Description

From: Smith, Tom D., and Ball, Joseph R., Lake and Stream Classification Project. Surface Water Resources of Grant County, Department of Natural Resources, 1972. Surface Area = 4.85 acres, Length 5.0 miles, Gradient 22 ft./mile, Flow = 4.7 c.f.s.

A spring-fed stream beginning six miles southwest of Blue River and flowing in a northwest direction through Boscobel and an extensive marsh area before entering the Wisconsin River. About 3.5 miles of this stream is considered trout water with brown trout dominating the fishery. Forage fish are common to abundant and an abundant population of northern pike fry can be found in the lower reaches. Fishing pressure is heavy during the early part of the season. Overgrazing is common along the banks and the banks and channel are quite severely eroded. Suitable spawning material is scarce, and flat, open water is present in manyareas. Flooding has been a severe problem in past years. Damage to crops, roads and bridges, and urban property in Boscobel led to a proposed P.L. 566 Watershed Project. If this project had not been scrapped the three structures to have been built would have greatly improved the quality of the stream. The Boscobel Sewage Treatment Plant is considered a potential source of pollution. Aquatic game assets found in the 38 acres of adjoining wetland include muskrats, mink, and migratory waterfowl. Public frontage totals 0.75 mile in the lower reaches. The stream can also be reached from six bridge crossings and a county highway which parallels the trout stream portion.

Date  1972

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Saunders Creek, Green River and Crooked Creek Watershed (LW07) Fish and Aquatic LifeSaunders Creek, Green River and Crooked Creek Watershed (LW07) RecreationSaunders Creek, Green River and Crooked Creek Watershed (LW07) Fish Consumption

General Condition

Saunders Creek (WBIC 1205800) 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

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

Watershed Characteristics

Sanders Creek is located in the Green River and Crooked Creek watershed which is 125.71 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (46.60%), grassland (26.30%) and a mix of agricultural (16.80%) and other uses (10.30%). This watershed has 278.95 stream miles, 257.04 lake acres and 4,127.32 wetland acres.

Nonpoint Source Characteristics

This watershed is ranked High for runoff impacts on streams, Not Ranked 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

Saunders Creek is considered a Cool-Cold Mainstem, 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) Mainstem streams are moderate-to-large but still wadeable perennial streams with cold to cool summer temperatures. Coldwater fishes are common to uncommon, transitional fishes are abundant to common, and warm water fishes are uncommon to absent. Headwater species are common to absent, mainstem species are abundant to common, and river species are common to absent.

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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