Iowa
No
No
Yes
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
The Livingston Branch is an 11-mile warm water stream that serves as a tributary to the West Branch of the Pecatonica River. It was once considered one of the best smallmouth bass streams in southwest Wisconsin (Iowa Co Surface Waters Report), although, like many other smallmouth bass streams, Livingston Branch has experienced a decrease in bass populations. The stream is currently on the list of impaired (303d)waters in the state due to low dissolved oxygen and ammonia problems. These impairments are caused by manure spills that have plagued the stream (Schlesser, pers. comm). It has not been monitored in recent years.
Date 2002
Author Aquatic Biologist
Historical Description
Livingston Branch - Mouth location T5N RIE Section 27 -6, Surface area = 11.0 acres, Length = 8.2 miles, Gradient = 20.7 feet per mile, Total alkalinity = 291.0 mg/l, Volume of flow = 3.4 cfs.
Livingston Branch is classified as a warmwater seepage stream. Its gradient is less than half the average for Iowa County streams and can be considered sluggish. As a major tributary of the West Branch of the Pecatonica River, in Iowa County, it contributes about one-third of its base flow. Livingston Branch has one tributary whose flow constitutes about 26 percent of the base flow. Ninety-eight percent of the watershed area of Livingston Branch is farmed and water levels fluctuate sharply in relation to runoff (which usually reflects precipitation). Heavy bank erosion is common throughout its length. Being located in a lead mining district, pollution from mining operations has been a serious problem in the past, but has been of little or no consequence in recent years. The only other possible source of pollution is the Iowa-Grant High School sewage treatment plant whose operation is closely monitored by the Division of Environmental Protection.
Although this stream is small, it is considered one of the best smallmouth bass streams in southwestern Wisconsin from standpoints of both reproduction and survival. Other sport fish species present in its fishery include largemouth and rock bass, channel catfish, green sunfish, pumpkinseed and black bullhead. Forage fish species present are hogsuckers, white suckers, redhorse, bluntnose, fathead brassy and stoneroller minnows; bigmouth, rosyface and common shiners;
creek and hornyhead chubs; blacknose and redbelly dace; brook sticklebacks, barred fantail and johnny darters; and stonecats.
There are no public lands on this stream now but because of the its high quality smallmouth bass fishery there should be interest in public use opportunities here. Lack of bank cover restricts the presence of water fowl and marshland furbearers. Presently it can be reached from five road crossings.
From: Piening, Ronald and Threinen, C.W., 1968. Lake and Stream Classification Project. Surface Water Resources of Iowa County, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.
Date 1968
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
Impaired Waters
Livingston Branch (932700) was placed on the impaired waters list for ammonia, total phosphorus, and BOD in 1998. The 2016 assessments showed continued impairment by phosphorus; total phosphorus sample data exceed 2016 WisCALM listing criteria for the Fish and Aquatic Life use and biological impairment was observed (i.e. at least one macroinvertebrate or fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) scored in the poor condition category). Based on the most updated information, no change in existing impaired waters listing is needed.
Date 2015
Author Aaron Larson
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
| Project Name (Click for Details) | Year Started |
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Monitoring Projects
| WBIC | Official Waterbody Name | Station ID | Station Name | Earliest Fieldwork Date | Latest Fieldwork Date | View Station | View Data |
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| 932700 | Livingston Br | 253103 | Livingston Branch - Mason Lane Rd. | 4/23/1980 | 10/21/1980 | Map | Data |
| 932700 | Livingston Br | 253178 | Livingston Branch - Bridge at Enloe Road | 6/25/2003 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
| 932700 | Livingston Br | 253104 | Livingston Branch - Cth Xx Sec. 17 | 4/23/1980 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
| 932700 | Livingston Br | 253109 | Livingston Branch - Cth Xx Sec. 5 | 11/2/1990 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
| 932700 | Livingston Br | 253177 | Livingston Branch - Livingston Branch | 6/25/2003 | 4/27/2004 | Map | Data |
| 932700 | Livingston Br | 253115 | Livingston Branch at Enloe Rd near Livingston | 7/16/1988 | 10/1/1991 | Map | Data |
| 932700 | Livingston Br | 253016 | Livingston Branch at CTH X | 10/9/1990 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
| 932700 | Livingston Br | 253013 | Livingston Branch - Above Iowa-Grant Hs | | | Map | Data |
| 932700 | Livingston Br | 253015 | Livingston Branch - A Iowa Grant Rd Bg | 10/9/1990 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
| 932700 | Livingston Br | 10014309 | Livingston Br - Enloe Rd | 10/9/1987 | 10/22/2002 | Map | Data |
| 932700 | Livingston Br | 10010005 | Livingston Br - Livingston Branch Remap 106-B | | | Map | Data |
| 932700 | Livingston Br | 10010004 | Livingston Br - Livingston Branch Remap 106-X | | | Map | Data |
| 932700 | Livingston Br | 104457 | Livingston Branch S of CTH X | | | Map | Data |
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Watershed Characteristics
Livingston Br is located in the Upper West Branch Pecatonica River watershed which is 77.75 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (49.50%), grassland (39.80%) and a mix of forest (9%) and other uses (1.60%). This watershed has 184.74 stream miles, 21.81 lake acres and 293.60 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.