Wendt Creek, Black Earth Creek Watershed (LW17)
Wendt Creek, Black Earth Creek Watershed (LW17)
Wendt Creek (1248900)
4.64 Miles
3.63 - 8.27
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 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.
2022
Poor
 
This river is impaired
Degraded Habitat
Sediment/Total Suspended Solids
 
Dane
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.
No
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.
Yes

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.
Restricted Aquatic Life
Fish and Aquatic Life communities are not fully supported in this ecosystem.
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.
Class III Trout
Streams capable of supporting a seasonal coldwater sport fishery and which may be managed as coldwater streams.
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.
Default FAL
Fish and Aquatic Life - Default Waters do not have a specific use designation subcategory but are considered fishable, swimmable waters.

Overview

Wendt Creek lies between Halfway Prairie Creek and Black Earth Creek and is 6 miles in length. It meets Halfway Prairie Creek to the east of Mazomanie. Like many of the othertributaries; pollution and loss of habitat are the concerns and are responsible for this creek being placed on the list of impaired waters (303(d)). This subwatershed has several wetland areas and some are under WDNR easements or ownership.

Date  2002

Author  Cynthia Koperski

Historical Description

Wendt Creek (Spring Brook) -T8N, R6E, Sec. 16, Surface acres = 4, Length = 6 miles, Stream order = I, Gradient = 23.3 ft/mile, Base discharge = 2.7 cfs, Wendt Creek originates in the glacial drift hills in western Berry Township (T8N, R7E) and flows westward through shallow marshes and farmland before emptying into Halfway Prairie Creek just above Black Earth Creek near Mazomanie. It is fed by springs and marsh seepage. A substantial portion of the stream in Mazomanie Township has been ditched and straightened to provide drainage for agricultural lands (Dane Cty. Reg. Plann. Comm. 1979a). The creek waters are of good quality and are slightly alkaline. Its substrate consists of approximately 65% clay-silt and 35% gravel-rubble. Attempts at trout management were made in the creek in the 1950's with no success. At present it supports only a forage fishery. Access is available at four road crossings. Fish species: spotfin shiner, fathead minnow. creek chub, white sucker, fantail and Johnny darter.

From: Day, Elizabeth A.; Grzebieniak, Gayle P.; Osterby, Kurt M.; and Brynildson, Clifford L., 1985. Lake and Stream Classification Project. Surface Water Resources of Dane County, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison, WI.

Date  1985

Author   Surface Water Inventory Of Wisconsin

Wendt Creek, Black Earth Creek Watershed (LW17) Fish and Aquatic LifeWendt Creek, Black Earth Creek Watershed (LW17) RecreationWendt Creek, Black Earth Creek Watershed (LW17) Fish Consumption

Impaired Waters

Wendt Creek is currently on the impaired waters (303d) list for habitat with sediment being the pollutant. Wendt Creek was part of the original Black Earth Creek Priority Watershed (1986-98); it has 6.0 miles listed as impaired. The impaired area has had a significant amount of resources allocated towards sediment reduction. Data will be compared against pre-BMP work. Stream will be evaluated to determine if stream has the potential to be listed as trout water.

Date  2006

Author   Aquatic Biologist

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

Monitor Water Quality or Sediment
Unmuth: Not likely we can even correct the temperature issue if there is an impoundment on the stream CO: Future sampling to see if there is an actual impairment. ID 10012610; AU 13480
TMDL Implementation
Wendt Creek was identified as one of five TMDL's selected by South Central Region. This stream is currently on the 303d list for habitat with sediment being the pollutant. Wendt Creek was part of the original Black Earth Creek Priority Watershed (1986-98), it has 6.0 miles listed as impaired. That area has had a significant amount of resources allocated towards sediment reduction. Data will be compared against pre-BMP work
Restore Riparian Habitat
Restore riparian habitat along Wendt Creek, which is adjacent to Black Earth Creek.
Trout Classification Mgmt
Wendt Creek was identified as one of five TMDLs selected by South Central Region. This stream is currently on the 303d list for habitat with sediment being the pollutant. Wendt Creek was part of the original Black Earth Creek Priority Watershed (1986-98), it has 6.0 miles listed as impaired. That area has had a significant amount of resources allocated towards sediment reduction. Data will be compared against pre-BMP work. Stream will be evaluated to determine if stream has the potential to be listed as trout water.

Management Plans

Reduction of sediment reaching the stream and the resulting total suspended solids is a primary management goal for this water.

Date  2011

Author   Aquatic Biologist

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

Wendt Creek is located in the Black Earth Creek watershed which is 105.20 miĀ². Land use in the watershed is primarily forest (37.80%), agricultural (36.90%) and a mix of grassland (16.20%) and other uses (9.20%). This watershed has 196.86 stream miles, 204.29 lake acres and 1,541.75 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

Wendt Creek is considered a 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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