Green
No
No
No
Fish and Aquatic Life
Overview
Argus School Branch is a two-mile cold water stream that flows southwesterly through the driftless area to Bushnell
Creek. While it supporting warm water sport fish, the lower portion of the creek can likely support a Class II trout
fishery. WDNR aquatic biologists indicate that greater than 50% of the substrate is covered in silt. Based on the
WDNR habitat rating guidelines, greater than 50% fine sediment accumulation indicates fair to poor habitat quality.
Brown trout are currently stocked in the lower portion of the stream. Fish monitoring data collected in 2002 found
creek chubs and mottled sculpin, and rated the biotic integrity of this stream as "fair" (IBI = 50). It is listed on the
303(d) list because over grazing and streambank degradation leading to higher temperatures in the stream, excessive
sedimentation and habitat destruction. WDNR staff believe excessive sedimentation has caused the stream to widen
and become shallower to a level (width: depth 20:1) considered to be of only "fair" habitat quality. Some smaller
farms are going out of business, which inadvertently may help to improve the quality of the stream, as the level of over
grazing will decrease.
Date 2002
Author Aquatic Biologist
Overview
Argus School Branch is a cold water stream that flows southwesterly through the driftless area to Bushnell Creek. While it is classified as supporting warm water sport fish, the lower portion of the creek can likely support a Class II trout fishery. Brown trout are currently stocked in the lower portion of the stream. Grazing and bank degradation is a problem leading to higher temperatures in the stream and habitat destruction. Some smaller farms are going out of business, which inadvertently may help to improve the quality of the stream (Bush, pers. comm).
Date 2002
Author Aquatic Biologist
Historical Description
From: Bush, D.M., R. Cornelius, D. Engle, and C.L. Brynildson. 1980. Lake and Stream Classification Project. Surface Water Resources of Green County, 2nd Edition. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, Wisconsin.
This small cold water stream flows southwesterly through the driftless area to Bushnell Creek. The headwaters split into two small forks which are each about three-quarters mile long. Gravel, rubble and silt are the main bottom types and the water is clear with watercress present. Because of it is small, Argus School Branch is limited to a forage species. However, brown trout from Bushnell creek are probably present near the mouth. A mixture of hardwoods, cropland frontage, but access is possible at two public road crossings.
Surface Acres = 1.15, Length = 3.2 ~lile~, Gradient = 50 ft./mi., Base Discharge = 1.1 cu.
Date 1980
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
Historical Description
Flows west-southwest into the Sugar River approximately 2 miles north of Albany. Managed primarily for smallmouth bass and forage fish. Channel catfish are present near the outlet. Most of the stream bottom is silt deposited from the runoff of the area's farmland. An estimated 377 acres of wetland adjoin the stream and provide refuge for a significant muskrat population. Very little stream bank cover. From: Poff, Ronald J., and C.W. Threinen, Lake and Stream Classification Project. Surface Water Resources of Green County, Wisconsin Conservation Department, Madison I, 1961.
Surface Acres= 13.6, Miles= 7.5, Gradient= 5.3' per mile
Date 1961
Author Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin
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
TMDL (USEPA) Approved
Argus School Branch TMDL Approved
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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| 896800 | Argus School Branch | 10009420 | Argus School Branch Upstream Cth N Culvert | 10/20/2008 | 1/1/2015 | Map | Data |
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Watershed Characteristics
Argus School Branch is located in the Jordan and Skinner Creeks watershed which is 94.06 mi². Land use in the watershed is primarily agricultural (41.80%), grassland (41.30%) and a mix of forest (11.80%) and other uses (5.20%). This watershed has 234.78 stream miles, 48.73 lake acres and 1,559.08 wetland acres.
Nonpoint Source Characteristics
This watershed is ranked Not Ranked 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.This water is ranked High Stream for individual Rivers based on runoff problems and the likelihood of success from project implementation.